AD 34: Rob Swearingen (R) vs Dennis Nitzel (D)
The 34th Assembly district of Wisconsin is located in northern Wisconsin, the district comprises all of Vilas County and most of Oneida County. It contains the cities of Rhinelander and Eagle River and most of the Lac du Flambeau Reservation. It also contains parts of the Nicolet National Forest, including the Blackjack Springs Wilderness.
Going all the way back to 2013 this Republican has been an obstacle to any reform measures. Swearingen has blocked any marijuana reform bills in the committee he chairs. If he says he supports medical marijuana, he means the pill bill….and that might be lip service from this guy anyways. He is labeled a prohibitionist. Can Nitzel take down this Incumbent in a Solid Republican district?
Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander)
Biography
- Born Oneida County, Wisconsin, July 23, 1963; married; 2 children.
- Graduate Rhinelander High School, 1981.
- Restaurant owner/operator.
- Tavern League of Wisconsin (former president, zone vice president, district director); American Beverage Licensees (former member, board of directors); Oneida County Tavern League (former president, vice president); Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce; Oneida County Republican Party.
- Elected to Assembly since 2012.
Member of Building Commission
I have written so many articles about this guy it is ridiculous. Let’s review some of the recent highlights of his prohibitionist career in the legislature after leaving the Presidency of the Wisconsin Tavern League.
2019: GOP Assembly Rep Rob Swearingen 2019 Spring Budget Survey Marijuana Reform Results show 63% of his constituent caucus base supports cannabis reform, but he ignores the will of his district.
2022: Rep. Swearingen chairs committee that killed legalization
2024: Rep. Swearingen was not a co-sponsor of the Republican ‘pot bill pill’ nor any other legislation.
2024: Swearingen is again the Chair of the Committee currently killing cannabis reform. (See image below for the ask!)
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 Swearingen ignored the ACLU question: Do you support the legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana for recreational use by adults 21 and over in Wisconsin? I assure you his answer is NO.
The guy has no campaign page on facebook I could find and his official website has links or phone number, only the contact form. Since he is trying to kill the bill and is so safe in his district, give him a call at work:
vs
Dennis Nitzel (D-Rhinelander)
I am an American by birth, an agronomist by vocation, a potato grower by desire, and a research scientist by sheer good luck. I am a certified crop advisor and a master woodland steward. I therefore have a deeper understanding of agriculture and forestry than most. I am aware of the challenges in the two most dangerous occupations in the nation. Industries that require a great investment in time, energy, and money and then trust to the luck and weather and hope the market is good enough in the end to cover the costs of production. These producers do have the satisfaction of supplying food and fiber to the world and knowing they are not appreciated. My family farm produces beef, pork, and forest products, albeit a small amount.
I am well-schooled and well-traveled. I have chased potatoes through every potato growing area in North America. That has given me the opportunity to witness many different techniques. There are lots of ways to do things and not everything works everywhere. But some things would work in other areas and may work better if that technique were known. Different areas have the unique features. Few places are as unique as the 34th Assembly District in more ways than agronomically. In a great society where great minds think alike, you can count on me for a unique perspective. Like everyone I have my biases, my prejudices, my beliefs, but I am not enough of an egotist to think that my way is the only way or the right way or a good way or even if it is a way.
Stance on Cannabis Reform = Unknown. I reached out to his campaign and also to the Vilas County Democrats. The Vilas County Democrats look pretty active on facebook and I would think local activists would find a friendly face in the crowd if they attended the events.
If you want to be a field activist for Vilas County, please contact the Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network.
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: RPubs, CNanalysis (Solid Rep +17) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (61% Rep), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps, Ballotpedia
