AD 71: Miresse (D) vs Pahmeier (R)
The 71st Assembly District of Wisconsin is located in central Wisconsin, the district comprises most of Portage County and part of northeast Adams County. It includes the city of Stevens Point and the villages of Amherst, Amherst Junction, Nelsonville, Plover, and Whiting. The district also contains the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point campus.
Democrat Katrina Shankland had represented the district since 2013, but that is about to change. She ran for congress and that leaves the seat wide open for the next Democrat.
Vincent Miresse (D-Stevens Point)
A four-term Portage County Board member since 2017.
As County Board Supervisor, Vinnie authored both Portage County Medical and Recreational Marijuana Referendums which ultimately passed.
2018 Portage County: “Should the State of Wisconsin allow individuals with debilitating medical conditions to use and safely access marijuana for medical [treatment] purposes, if those individuals have a written [treatment] recommendation from a licensed Wisconsin physician?” 83% YES – 17% NO
2022: APPROVED 74.35% — Stevens Point: “Should marijuana be legalized for adult-use, taxed, and regulated like alcohol in the State of Wisconsin?”
There are 99 state Assembly seats and 16 state Senate seats on the ballot this November. The ACLU of Wisconsin sent a questionnaire to all candidates and published their answers on August 21st.
We are not surprised that he answered YES to the ACLU question: Do you support the legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana for recreational use by adults 21 and over in Wisconsin?
Local activists and supporters of reform are very excited to see him run for State Assembly.
Please follow his campaign on facebook page and visit his official website for more details on this candidate.
vs
Robert Pahmeier (R-Plover)
Bob Pahmeier ran for election to the Portage County Board of Supervisors District 17 in 2024.
Relevant experience: U.S. Army Reserve, civil affairs specialist; Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Institution- Oxford retired, roles: business administrator, supervisory contract specialist, warehouse foreman, correctional officer; AFGE Local 3495 – Department of Justice, union vice president
Stance on Cannabis Reform = Unknown
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 (Very Likely Dem +15) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (56% Dem), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps, Ballotpedia
