La Crosse County Supervisor Tara Johnson announced her campaign to unseat freshman Republican Legislator Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, in the 32nd Senate District. Johnson made the announcement at the Lakeview Business Park in West Salem on May 12, 2008. The 32nd Senate District is one of the state legislative races that could decide who will have a majority in the State Senate following the November 2008 elections.

Democratic Candidate for the 47th Assembly District Trish O’Neil spoke with WisconsinEye on May 8, 2008 in Merrimac, Wis. The 47th Assembly District, located in parts of Columbia, Dane and Sauk Counties, is considered to be the home to one of the state legislative contests that could swing the balance of control in the State Assembly. Republicans currently have control of the Assembly and the 47th Assembly District. That post is held by Rep. Eugene Hahn, R-Cambria, who is retiring. O’Neil was in Merrimac to hold a district listening session.

Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson, was one of two featured speakers at a recent meeting of Oconomowoc Democrats. The other was Jim Smith, director of the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee. Jorgensen, who represents the 37th Assembly District, discussed his candidacy and how he first won an election in an area known for electing Republicans. In 2006, Jorgensen became the first Democrat elected in the district, covering parts of Dane and Jefferson Counties, in 60 years. In 2008, the district could be one of the state legislative contests that could decide who controls the State Assembly. During his remarks at the gathering, Smith discussed the efforts the party is making across the state to recruit Assembly candidates. A number of candidates from surrounding districts also made remarks at the event, which was held at the Main Street Depot Restaurant in Oconomowoc on May 3, 2008.

Raymond Frey, chair of the Columbia County Democratic Party, spoke with WisconsinEye on May 2, 2008 about Columbia County, the county party and the important state legislative races in the area. Columbia County contains parts of the 42nd, 47th and 38th Assembly Districts. The race for the 47th Assembly District, located in parts of Columbia, Dane and Sauk Counties, is considered to be one of the state legislative contests that could swing the balance of control in the State Assembly. Republicans currently have control of the Assembly and the 47th Assembly District. That post is held by Rep. Eugene Hahn, R-Cambria, who is retiring.

The Jefferson County Democratic Party held an Open House to celebrate the opening of their new campaign office in Jefferson on May 1. Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton as well as Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson, delivered remarks at the event. The 37th Assembly District, located in parts of Dane and Jefferson Counties, could be one of the state legislative contests that decides who will control the State Assembly. Jorgensen, who represents that district, was first elected to the seat in 2006, when he became the first Democrat elected there in 60 years.

Paul Fisk, the former Mayor of Lodi and candidate for the 47th Assembly District, spoke to WisconsinEye at campaign kick-off event at a bar in Lodi on May 1, 2008. The 47th Assembly District race, located in parts of Columbia, Dane and Sauk Counties, is considered to be one of the state legislative contests that could swing the balance of control in the State Assembly. Republicans currently have control of the Assembly and the 47th Assembly District. That post is held by Rep. Eugene Hahn, R-Cambria, who is retiring. Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, who represents the area, also attended the event.

Former Assembly Speaker John Gard, a republican, announced his second run for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District seat at two events in Green Bay and Appleton on April 27, 2008. Gard hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, who defeated Gard in the 2006 midterm elections. After holding an event at Bay Beach Park in Green Bay, WisconsinEye caught up with Gard at Pierce Park in Appleton.

Washington County Democratic Party Chair Michael Schlotfeldt spoke with WisconsinEye about Washington County politics and the state legislative races which Washington County voters will help decide. One of those districts, the 8th Senate District is considered a swing district and could help decide who will control the State Senate. The seat is currently held by Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Falls. It is being challenged by Rep. Sheldon Wasserman, D-Milwaukee.

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold was the main draw at the Green County Democratic Party’s Spring Fundraiser on April 20, 2008. Feingold talked national and state politics at the event held in Monroe, Wis., located in Green County. Green County is located within Wisconsin’s 80th Assembly District, one of the state legislative contests that could swing the balance of control in the State Assembly. The Republicans currently have control of the Assembly and the 80th Assembly District. That post is held by Republican lawmaker Rep. Brett Davis of Oregon.

Susan Kinast-Porter, Green County Democratic Party Chair, spoke with WisconsinEye about Green County and the 80th State Assembly District on April 20, 2008. Green County is located within Wisconsin’s 80th Assembly District, one of the state legislative contests that could swing the balance of control in the State Assembly. The Republicans currently have control of the Assembly and the 80th Assembly District. That post is held by Republican lawmaker Rep. Brett Davis of Oregon. Kinast-Porter was interviewed during the Green County Democratic Party’s Spring Fundraiser in Monroe, Wis.

John Waelti, a democratic candidate for the 80th Assembly District, discussed his candidacy with WisconsinEye on April 20, 2008. Green County is located within Wisconsin’s 80th Assembly District, one of the state legislative contests that could swing the balance of control in the State Assembly. The Republicans currently have control of the Assembly and the 80th Assembly District. That post is held by Republican lawmaker Rep. Brett Davis of Oregon. Waelti was interviewed during the Green County Democratic Party’s Spring Fundraiser in Monroe, Wis.

Kristin Ann Wisnefske, a democratic candidate for the 80th Assembly District, discussed her candidacy with WisconsinEye on April 20, 2008. Green County is located within Wisconsin’s 80th Assembly District, one of the state legislative contests that could swing the balance of control in the State Assembly. The Republicans currently have control of the Assembly and the 80th Assembly District. That post is held by Republican lawmaker Rep. Brett Davis of Oregon. Wisnefske was interviewed during the Green County Democratic Party’s Spring Fundraiser in Monroe, Wis.

Editor of WisPolitics.com JR Ross interviewed Kevin Kennedy, director and legal counsel of the Government Accountability Board, and Andrea Kaminiski, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin about the Wisconsin election process from WisconsinEye's Madison Studio on April 10. Kennedy and Kaminiski reviewed the spring election on April 1, new procedures and equipment used in voting and the role of the Government Accountability Board in future elections.

Filling in for host Steve Walters, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Stacy Forster, led a panel of reporters in a discussion of the week's major news stories in state politics. This week’s program focused on the State Supreme Court race. Featured guests included WisPolitics.com's JR Ross, WISC-TV's Jessica Arp, Shawn Johnson of Wisconsin Public Radio and Patrick Marley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Justice Louis Butler addressed supporters and the press Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to speak on the Supreme Court race election results. Butler stated how honored he feels to have served Wisconsin as a Supreme Court Justice, and that he acknowledges that the voters have now made a new choice to sit on the court.

Justice Louis Butler's Campaign for re-election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court held an election night results party at Riverfront Pizzeria in Milwaukee on Tuesday night, April 1, 2008. Supporters enjoyed pizza while watching results come in on several televisions placed throughout the party. Butler made a short statement thanking his supporters while results were pouring in. The party ended before official final results were reported.

Michael Gableman's campaign gathered in Milwaukee to watch the polls on election night, April 1, 2008, for the Supreme Court Justice seat. Gableman is declared the winner moments before midnight.

Andrea Kaminski, Executive Director for the League for Women Voters of Wisconsin spoke with WisconsinEye contributor John Powell about the efforts the organization makes to education the public about the elections process. Kaminiski also spoke about the group’s advocacy efforts. The interview took place in WisconsinEye’s Madison studio on March 27, 2008.

Judge Gableman was the invited guest for the March 26th Madison Rotary meeting at the Inn on the Park in Madison.

Full description to follow.

The Milwaukee Bar Association (MBA) was host to a candidates forum for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Milwaukee County Circuit Court seats. This moderated forum was open to MBA members and the general public, where questions of the candidates by those attending were submitted to the moderator. “These forums fall in line with the MBA’s 150 year old mission of increasing public awareness of the crucial roll that the law plays in the lives of the people of Milwaukee”, says James Temmer, Executive Director of the MBA. “These provide our members and the residents of Milwaukee County the opportunity to learn more about the people who will enforce the laws of Wisconsin before they cast their vote.”

Continued.

Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler and the Hon. Michael Gableman, candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, participated in a debate at the Concourse Hotel in Madison Wisconsin. Hosted by the Dane County Bar Association, the candidates made opening and closing statements as well as answered questions offered by the audience. Justice Butler is being challenged by Burnett County Circuit Judge Michael Gableman. The winner in the April 1 election will serve a 10-year term.

Prior to a speech by Republican Presidential Candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, Burnett County Circuit Court Judge Michael Gableman, a candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, gave a speech and shook hands at the Milwaukee County Reagan Day Dinner on February 28 in Milwaukee.