OPINION
JULY 25, 2018
BURNETT COUNTY SENTINEL
5
www.burnettcountysentinel.com
THE CAPITOL REPORT
Republicans tout fundraising edge as midterm elections near WISPOLITICS.COM
There’s a big governor’s race, and a nationally important U.S. Senate race this fall. But insiders are also watching the race for the state Senate, where two Democratic special election victories this year have cut the GOP margin to 18-15. GOP Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is touting the Republicans’ fundraising edge in key races as well as over the Democrats’ legislative committee, saying it vindicates his decision not to spend more money in northeastern Wisconsin’s 1st Senate District in an attempt to hold the seat. After Caleb Frostman, D-Sturgeon Bay, beat Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, in the June 12 special election, Fitzgerald faced criticism for the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate’s financial commitment to the race. At the time, he said he didn’t go all in to help preserve resources for the fall, when the seat will again be up. Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, now points to the most recent reports, which show CERS had more than $1.3 million in the bank between its two campaign finance accounts. By comparison, the State Senate Democratic Committee had $327,970 in its two accounts. Fitzgerald tells WisPolitics.com that edge will help Republicans protect their majority and go on offense in several seats. “I believe we’re absolutely coming back with the majority,” Fitzgerald declared. “It’s just a question of how many seats.” Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, downplayed the GOP’s financial advantage after the most recent fundraising period, saying Republicans can’t buy enthusiasm or the trust of voters. Shilling said Frostman’s win in last month’s special election has given her ammunition to reach out to
donors to make sure “Wisconsin is back on the map” nationally as a place to invest. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has listed 17 seats that it will target in an effort to flip eight legislative chambers across the country. That list includes Wisconsin’s 17th Senate District in southwestern Wisconsin, held by Republican Howard Marklein, and 19th Senate District near Appleton, held by Republican Roger Roth. Shilling, who noted Frostman’s win in the 1st was two weeks before the close of the most recent reporting period, said she’s warned all of her candidates that they will be outspent this fall. “Money might talk, but it doesn’t vote,” Shilling said. “We are on the offense this year. Republicans have to be on the defensive.” Fitzgerald transferred $100,000 from his personal campaign account to CERS during the six-month fundraising period. The group also received a $100,000 donation from John Schaffer, described as a manager from Chicago in the CERS report, and $18,000 from the campaign account of GOP Sen. Duey Stroebel, appointed by Fitzgerald to the Joint Finance Committee this session. Stroebel filled the vacancy left by Sheila Harsdorf after she was appointed DATCP secretary. Together, those three contributions accounted for more than 40 percent of what CERS raised through its main campaign account. By comparison, the SSDC’s biggest donation to its main account was $12,000 from the Wisconsin Laborers District Council. Fitzgerald used the CERS main account to give $30,000 each to GOP Rep. Kathy Bernier, who got into the race to replace Republican Sen. Terry Moulton after he announced in mid-March he would not seek re-election, and James Bolen, who is challenging Sen. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland.
Cooking from the hip Some pasta was tucked back in the bottom of the kitchen drawer. I’d been searching for something to feed a couple of hungry teenagers. They were ready to cook a frozen pizza. The pressure was on. I couldn’t bear the thought of eating another frozen pizza, emergency or not. Do you ever feel Wild Chow like some days Lisa Erickson making dinner is torture? Me too. I’d run out of ideas and energy to make something nice for my family. I haven’t been planning menus or grocery shopping. I’ve been relying on our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share, which is a good thing. We all need more veggies, but they don’t fill us up. We need some protein, fats other things to round out the meal, like starchy potatoes, rice, bread, or pasta. Pasta is great to keep on hand
because it stores well and is a great meal base when you’re in a pinch. Most of the time I don’t even cook with a recipe when pasta is involved. I kicked into high gear. In addition to the pasta, I gathered some onions, capers, tomatoes (that were past the point of eating fresh), a can of crushed tomatoes and canned black olives. I started the pasta boiling, sautéed the onion in olive oil and grabbed the last of the CSA salad mix and had the family set the table and make a quick salad. We were eating within 15 minutes, less time than it takes to bake a frozen pizza. It was a lovely dinner, and I was proud of it. I spared myself the guilt of feeding my family frozen pizza—again. Plus we ate a dish that everyone loved, and we will make again. Feel free to add sausage or another protein to this dish. You could add other veggies too, like summer squash and peppers.
Value Strip
In a large pot, boil water for pasta. In a large fry pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent about 3 minutes. Add canned and fresh tomatoes. Simmer 5-7 minutes. While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package directions—about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Add the pasta to the sauce, stirring to coat. Add the capers, olives, and red pepper. Serve topped with the cheese. Add a salad and crusty bread for a perfect summer meal.
FIEDLER FORD, INC.
2008 ESCAPE 4X4 LIMITED Only
LETTER TO THE EDITOR To Whom It May Concern, Having worked in Burnett County for 18 years as both the Police Chief of Siren and the Sheriff of Burnett County, I had the unique opportunity to have worked with and observed each of the current candidates for the position of Burnett County Sheriff. Each of them has also worked under my administration, so I believe I am qualified to voice my opinion on who I believe would be the best choice to lead the Department in the future. All three candidates each bring individual traits to this position. They each have years of experience in the profession and have made contributions to the citizens they serve. It is my professional opinion that after 39 years of working in the profession of law enforcement that candidate Ryan Bybee is far and away the best choice for Sheriff of Burnett County. Ryan Bybee has demonstrated over the years a strong desire to learn the profession so that he can better serve the citizens. He has worked to constantly improve himself, the other officers he works with and the community he lives in and represents. Ryan Bybee has been instrumental in battling substance abuse, working to obtain the drug dog. Ryan Bybee has improved his communication skills so as to effectively work with citizens to resolve conflict. Ryan Bybee has become the leader the Department needs to manage the Department in a professional, law and order fashion. Ryan Bybee is a respected member of the community and a true professional law enforcement officer. I highly recommend Ryan Bybee for the position of Burnett County Sheriff, and it is my hope that you, the voting public, look carefully at each candidate and the accomplishments of their respective careers. When you have completed this process you will also come to the conclusion that Ryan Bybee is the best candidate for Sheriff. Respectfully Submitted,
Dean W. Roland Retired Law Enforcement
FIEDLER FORD, INC.
FIEDLER FORD, INC.
FIEDLER FORD, INC.
Fiedler Ford, Inc. Downtown Grantsburg, WI (715) 463-5367
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FIEDLER FORD, INC.
FIEDLER FORD, INC.
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Pasta and Crushed Tomato Sauce 1 box angel hair pasta 1 onion sliced thin 1-2 Tbsp. capers 1 can crushed tomatoes 2 fresh tomatoes, sliced Dash of red pepper flakes 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 can black or green olives drained Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
CERS also made $5,176 in-kind donations to Bernier, who raised $116,306 during the first six months of the year. Of that, $57,176 was from committees. Over the last half of 2017, Bernier listed just $515 in receipts. Bernier’s Dem rival Chris Kapsner, an emergency room physician, raised $37,985 during the period, including $11,315 from committees. In the 25th, Bewley raised $51,809 during the period, more than half of that from committees, and finished the period with $64,415 in the bank. Bolen raised $63,734, including $37,797 from committees, and had $54,345 cash on hand. Other top Senate races will be in the: 1st, where Frostman has to run again to hold the seat; the Milwaukee-area’s 5th, where GOP state Rep. Dale Kooyenga of Brookfield is trying to keep the seat being vacated by GOP U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir; central Wisconsin’s 29th, where Sen. Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon, is the incumbent; and the 31st, the western Wisconsin seat being given up by Dem gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Vinehout. The Capitol Report is written by editorial staff at WisPolitics.com, a nonpartisan, Madison-based news service that specializes in coverage of government and politics, and is distributed for publication by members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Copyright © WisPolitics.com