Senate 2: Kelly Peterson (D) vs Eric Wimberger (R)
The new Senate District 2 is 62% solid Republican District.
Located in northeast Wisconsin, the district comprises all of Menominee County along with the southern half of Oconto County, the eastern half of Shawano County, and much of eastern Outagamie County and northwest Brown County. It includes the cities of Oconto, Oconto Falls, Clintonville, and Shawano, and the villages of Bonduel, Howard, Little Chute, Seymour, and Suamico, along with parts of the cities of Green Bay, Appleton, and Kaukauna. The district also contains the entirety of the Oneida and Menominee Indian reservations.
We might see a new face in this District, but it will be a Republican one according to the statistics. Former Senator Cowles though lives in the new Senate District 30 under the new maps and no incumbent lives in this new Senate District 2. It seems that by news reports Cowles will give up his condo of 25 years and move into the new district Cowles hinted early on he would move to Senate District 2, but I predicted he would just retire. This guy is 74 years old, been in office 37 years, since the 80s. Will probably does not want the battle a primary out in Senate 30 if it comes to that, because we have to ask if Senate 30 is even winnable anymore as a Republican?
The new Senate District maps also chased away Republican Senator Eric Wimberger from Senate 30. Wimberger said he moved into the 2nd Senate District if he wins because it will allow him to live closer to the family business in Lakewood. Probably another reason Cowles did not seek re-election.
The Democrat from De Pere is a somewhat familiar name to the area and has a very active campaign.
Kelly Peterson (D)
Former News Director at WFRV and award winning journalist.
The Peterson campaign assured us that Kelly supports reforming the marijuana laws in Wisconsin and would believes legalization of adult use marijuana is the right thing to do.
Kelly Peterson received a A+ rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
Campaign Facebook Page; Campaign website.
Eric Wimberger (R)
Eric Wimberger is a small business owner, an attorney for his own law practice, and a former U.S. Marine Corps Captain JAG Officer.
Received an B- Rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
Wimberger ran in 2014 for State Assembly (lost by 18% points) and also ran for the Wisconsin State Senate for District 30 in 2016 in which he only lost by 3% points.
He joined the Political Radar crew to in 2016 to discuss several key issues that are emerging in Wisconsin. They discuss the viability of marijuana legalization in Wisconsin and its challenges. And now it is 2020 and “It is just a plant” came from Wimbergers lips. What does that tell us. Over the years this candidate has made several public statements about marijuana reform in interviews.
Sept 2020 Wimberger said: It is just a plant, harder to manage then alcohol and get ahold of it. Philosophy of what one person does to their own person should not be a crime.
Sept 2020 Wimberger said: Open to medical marijuana if THC is in pill forms.
He ran again for State Senate again in 2020 and did not face a primary. The Democrat incumbent (Dave Hansen) retired and the open seat was won by Wimberger.
Wimberger was named one of the top Republicans to keep our eye on in the 2023.
He is also a member of the Commission on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Council on and Uniform State Laws.
We highly anticipated his support for his GOP colleagues trying to reform the laws, but he has yet to co-sponsor any legislation.
He now moves into a very safe GOP District and probably does not have much to fear over is political life if he decides to stay in public office. Will this move make his stance on cannabis stronger and will he be the first Republican to author or co-sponsor an adult use marijuana legalization bill? Or will this move make him regress into prohibition politician and do nothing but hold his seat?
Eric Wimberger Campaign Facebook Page or contact page of his campaign website or via email at eric@ericwimberger.com
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