AD 47 Primary: Maldonado (D) vs Udell (D)
Fitchburg, Stoughton and McFarland will be blue, it is just a matter of who. Jimmy Anderson (D) was elected to the Assembly in 2016 and passed up running for reelection to this seat. Anderson has chosen to seek seat in the Wisconsin State Senate and that means a job opening for someone who can win a primary because no Republican is even on the ballot in this district.
Assembly District 47 comes down to these two:
Joe Maldonado (D – Fitchburg)
Fitchburg Common Council since 2020
He gave an interview with Capital Times that stated: Maldonado said that legalizing cannabis should be a top priority, noting that the state is losing millions of dollars in possible tax revenue now that Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota had legalized marijuana.
But going beyond legalization, Maldonado said it’s important to ensure that people convicted of nonviolent crimes for possessing cannabis are pardoned “and have pathways to productive lives.” Ensuring equity in the marijuana market is also crucial, he said.
“We also need to look at the growing cannabis industry in the United States, particularly in Wisconsin if it’s legalized, and ensure that the entryway into that industry is equitable and fair, and that people who have been impacted by our criminal justice system impacted by nonviolent drug sentencing have the opportunity to be able to contribute to our economy and make a productive life if that’s something that they choose”
Maldonado also stated he would make marijuana legalization a budget priority if elected: My funding priorities for the 2025-2027 budget would be increasing funding for public schools and after school programming for youth, providing funding to our childcare infrastructure and industry, and supporting policies that center communities and create prosperity and wellbeing like reinstating local control over public transportation, investing in state parks, legalizing cannabis, and properly funding higher education.
Campaign Facebook Joe4Wisconsin and Campaign Website Link
Randy Udell (D – Madison)
Dane County Board of Supervisors since 2024; Fitchburg Common Council 2020-24
WisPolitics.com reports both candidates support legalization of marijuana.
Udell for Assembly Facebook Page and Campaign Website
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.