88th Assembly District becomes competitive
Rep John Macco (R) has represented the 88th AD since his 2014 election. Macco told WisPolitics earlier this spring that he’s “looking at it now” as he considers his next steps for the upcoming 2024 election. The new maps and district lines remove him from the 88th Assembly District, and places him into the 2nd Assembly District, creating a Republican Incumbent pairing between him and current Incumbent in the 2nd, Republican Shae Sortwell. Macco resides in Ledgeview, which is just outside the 88th Assembly District.
Macco seemed pissed off and I remember him saying that he was going to still represent the 88th against all odds even if he had to move. The 88th Assembly District under the new maps is going to be very competitive I think. Some map experts show just a very small percentage (0.4%) to favor the Democrats. The more conservative projections show district performance at 52.1% favor for the GOP.
Macco must have changed his mind or he is playing a cruel April Fools joke on the potential candidates in the 2nd and 88th by announcing he will not seek re-election to the assembly. But he says don’t loose my number as his press release hints he will remain politically active.
Macco on Marijuana
You’ll be in my heart for calling out prohibitionist Senator Scott Fitzgerald and that alone he deserves a little street credibility. Constituents in the district repeatedly said Macco supports marijuana reform. Although Rep. Macco did not officially sponsor any legislation on the issues in the 2019-20 session, we did consider him a supporter of medical marijuana.
In the 2021-22 session he did not break ranks from the GOP on the issue, only co-sponsoring the Republican marijuana start up bill and leaving the home grows and smoking products off the table for this guy. In the 2023-24 session he repeated his performance and was absent from the Republican decriminalization push. He only co-sponsored the controversial Republican medical marijuana bill.
Early Bird Candidate
Something is in the air as Republican Phil Collins says take a look at me now as he is gearing up for a run in the 88th Assembly District. I was going to include a couple more references, but I don’t care anymore. Do you remember when Phil Collins last ran for office? His campaign facebook page has been re-branded a few times and he even ran for office in the land of confusion aka The 2020 Presidential Election. I say the land of confusion for a few reasons, but mostly when I read the Ballotpedia Entry about this candidate.
Phil Collins (Prohibition Party, Independent) ran for election for President of the United States. Collins (Prohibition Party) lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Collins (independent) also ran for election for Vice President of the United States. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
I did not know you could run for President of the United States of America under one party and during the same election run for Vice-President as an Independent, but hey politics is a groovy kind of love. Elections, especially primary battles, have no easy lovers. If Rep. Macco really says I can’t dance in the 2nd Assembly Primary and doesn’t want to move, I am sure he will say something like follow you follow me and my political activity.
I suspect it will not be another day in paradise for any candidate during a primary battle and when it comes to legalization of marijuana, the two parties are two worlds apart from working together on this issue in Wisconsin. The candidate that will have the invisible touch aka Republican Party endorsement will likely when the primary battle, if there is one.
If Collins is serious about taking this district and winning a potential primary battle he should strongly consider endorsing a friendly stance on cannabis reform. Issues like marijuana legalization often separate candidates from each other in primary elections. Candidates are rewarded with votes for supporting smart policy and the latest polling does show a majority of Republicans support legalizing cannabis for adult use in Wisconsin.
Sussudio can’t dance in this election, I can’t dance in this election, but I can provide you additional 2024 Wisconsin State Election. The election is extremely important for marijuana reform and I will continue to bring you election coverage as more candidates make their political moves.
Ben Franklin Enters the Ring and wins the primary!
Possible Republican Primary in this corner of the world, this should be interesting.
Ben Franklin (R- De Pere) entered the race also, but has not responded. His campaign facebook page Franklin for Wisconsin is active and I urge area Republicans to contact this candidate with their support of cannabis reform. Campaign Website
The Democrat
Democratic Party of Brown County Chair Christy Welch has entered the race for Wisconsin’s 88th Assembly District. Her campaign facebook page Christy Welch for State Assmebly had this to initially say: as a general statement I can tell you I think it should be legalized.
Stay tuned and get active!
I will provide you additional 2024 Wisconsin State Election coverage throughout the campaign season. This next election is extremely important for marijuana reform and I will continue to bring you information as more candidates make their political moves.
In the event that we end up with divided government in the 2024-25 legislation session, the official formation of The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus would be a must first step towards reform. The official establishment of this Caucus will represent the growing, bipartisan support in Wisconsin.
Although session as ended we still urge you to contact your elected officials. The top four action alerts are still functionable on The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Action Network for you immediate use.
Sources: CNanalysis, WisPolitics, Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps
