AD 35: Callahan (R) vs McCrank (D)
The 35th Assembly district of is located in northern Wisconsin, the district comprises all of Lincoln and Langlade counties, and parts of northern Oconto County, northwest Shawano County, southern Oneida County, and northern Marathon County. It includes the cities of Antigo, Merrill, and Tomahawk, and the villages of Aniwa, Eland, Maine, Mattoon, and White Lake. It also contains the Council Grounds State Park and about a quarter of the Nicolet National Forest.
Elizabeth McCrank (D-Merrill)
Since 2020, McCrank has served on the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors – this year becoming the 4th longest serving supervisor on that board. She represents the 3rd district, in the City of Merrill, and enjoys getting out and around the district, meeting her neighbors and hearing their thoughts.
Her work on the Lincoln County board includes serving on the Highway Committee, the Land Services Committee, the Social Services Committee, the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the Solid Waste Committee, and as the county appointee to the T.B. Scott Free Library Board. This wide range of experience at the level where most of the county work gets done has given her a broad understanding of the challenges the county faces and the hard work that the employees do.
She is a homeowner—and taxpayer—in Merrill, where she lives with a good natured dog and a lot of great neighbors. She currently works for UW-Madison as a state outreach specialist on local government leadership.
When I asked her about her stance on marijuana reform, she told me this:
Criminalization of marijuana resulted from economic competition with urban based alcohol distillers and distributors following the repeal of Prohibition in the 1930s. Marijuana production was (and is) agrarian and rural and producers were consequently at a political disadvantage relative to the alcohol interests. I believe that laws against marijuana production and distribution unfairly disadvantage rural communities primarily economically — and I am deeply concerned with protecting the rights and economic opportunities of rural communities and residents.
Additionally, criminalization of marijuana feeds drug cartel growth and the collateral crimes that come along with that growth. While marijuana is not something that I personally choose to indulge in, the operative word there is “choose.” Adults are allowed to choose fine wine or single malt Scotch, they could just as easily choose to indulge in marijuana products with very little difference, in my opinion, in the outcome.
And there is a large body of evidence that shows the value of marijuana in giving therapeutic relief to people suffering from a wide range of medical issues. I favor respecting the judgement of medical professionals who choose to prescribe or recommend marijuana for patients whom they are treating.
I believe that marijuana should be treated in the eyes of the law equal to and similarly as alcohol. And while some people, primarily law enforcement officials, have expressed concern over the lack of established standards for OWI, I do not approve of using any intoxicant while operating vehicles, machinery or other equipment. We have OWI standards for alcohol, but they are frustratingly honored more in the breach than the observance.
In short, I favor relaxing the laws surrounding marijuana and only ask that those who choose to indulge once that relaxation takes place do so in a manner that does not jeopardize themselves or others and does not impose their choice on those who prefer not to indulge.
Local activists and supporters of reform are very excited to see her run for State Assembly!
Please follow her campaign on facebook page and visit his official website for more details on this candidate.
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Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk)
Biography
- Born in Wausau, Wisconsin, March 2, 1999.
- Full-time legislator.
- Member: Lincoln County Republican Party (chairman 2018–20); Langlade County Republican Party; Marathon County Republican Party; NRA; Somo ATV Club; Somo Fish and Game Club; Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association; Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association; Wisconsin Trappers Association.
- Elected to Lincoln County Board (supervisor), 2018–present; Town of Wilson Board (supervisor), 2019–21; Assembly 2020.
Incumbent Callahan did have a Republican primary challenger and based off what constituents in the district say about him, I highly expect he will always face a Republican primary challenger in future elections.
He is labeled a prohibitionist even though his own Republican Senator and former holder of his assembly seat (Mary Felzkowski) is leading the charge to reform the laws and has authored bills on the issue. Calvin Callahan received a Failing Grade from national reform organizations as a candidate and first year legislator.
Rep. Callahan Statement on GOP Medical Marijuana Proposal from January of 2024:
Assembly Republicans announced a proposal that would legalize medical marijuana in Wisconsin. Rep. Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk) released the following statement regarding this proposal: “While still a very limited proposal, Governor Evers signaled last week he would sign it, prior to having reviewed it, even though he would prefer full legalization. In all the discussions I have had with my local law enforcement – sheriffs, chiefs of police, officers – throughout my time in the State Assembly, never have I heard them ask me to support the legalization of marijuana in any form. I believe this to be a gateway bill to full legalization, and I will not support my colleagues’ proposal today. Instead, I will continue to stand by my partners in the law enforcement community in the 35th Assembly District.”
Rep. Callahan is the current chair of the 2023-34 Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection.
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 +59) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (66% Rep), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps, Ballotpedia
