Change a common theme at Wood County GOP meet

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Wisconsin Rapids Tribune (Central Wisconsin Sunday)
By Nathaniel Shuda

SARATOGA -- With state and federal partisan primaries still six months away, the races are heating up for those seeking Republican nominations in Wood and Portage counties.

Change was the message from 14 candidates running for offices, ranging from governor and lieutenant governor to seats in the U.S. Senate and the 7th Congressional District, who outlined what they called fundamental ideals and less government control.

More than 100 party supporters gathered Saturday afternoon at Lake Aire Supper Club near Wisconsin Rapids for the Wood County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day brunch.

For what likely was the first time, Wisconsin Rapids resident and financial adviser Scott Paterick came face to face in his hometown with competing gubernatorial hopeful and current Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, who also served as the event's keynote speaker.

As a Madison outsider and newcomer to state politics, Paterick said he hopes to bring a renewed sense of purpose to the rest of the state, including central Wisconsin.

"I will spend more time fighting for jobs for central Wisconsin than fighting for my own," said Paterick, who also serves as chairman of the Wisconsin Rapids Police and Fire Commission.

In an interview with Central Wisconsin Sunday, Walker called himself the candidate to "offer the starkest contrast" when compared with current Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat.

"If people believe that the last eight years of Jim Doyle has benefited the state economy, then vote for Tom Barrett," Walker said, calling the Milwaukee mayor an extension of what the state has experienced during Doyle's tenure.

Walker also criticized the governor's efforts to bring stimulus money to the state for a high-speed rail system between Milwaukee and Madison, saying the funds should go for projects that would benefit other parts of the state, including the expansion of Highway 10 in Wood and Portage counties.

However, state Democratic leaders have rebuked the concept, saying if Wisconsin does not accept such stimulus funding, that money likely will go elsewhere.

"I hoped that Scott Walker's plan would actually create jobs for workers and families here in Wisconsin -- not in Pennsylvania or New York or Colorado," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate said Friday in a statement. "Not only has Walker failed to create jobs in Milwaukee County, now he's actually shipping jobs away to other states."

Congressional hopeful Dan Mielke of Rudolph also spoke, along with his competitor, Ashland County District Attorney Sean Duffy, as they hope to unseat longtime incumbent Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wausau.

Paterick will face off against Walker and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann, while Mielke will compete with Duffy in the Sept. 14 primaries.

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