AD 58: Rick Gundrum (R) vs Deb Anderson (D)

The 58th Assembly district of Wisconsin is located in southeastern Wisconsin, the district comprises parts of central and eastern Washington County, including the villages of Jackson, Newburg, and Slinger, and most of the city of West Bend. It also contains the West Bend Municipal Airport and the Jackson Marsh State Natural Area.

Republican Rick Gundrum has represented the district since 2018 and that does not look change. This a solid Republican district. I have been in his district and found green in the red, local activists should be fired up about this guy.

Rick Gundrum (R-Slinger)

Incumbent, first elected in 2018.

Governor Evers’ budget proposal would also establish an expungement procedure for people convicted of possessing, manufacturing or distributing less than 26 grams of marijuana and have completed their sentences.

Republicans who control the legislature would have to approve the budget items. State Rep. Rick Gundrum (R-Slinger) says he’ll vote against the measure.

“Unless it’s proven otherwise, I think it opens up the door to legalize it for recreational marijuana and I am definitely opposed to that,” Gundrum says.

Please follow his campaign on facebook page and if you are in his district, please try and reason with him. Or at least tell him he will not get your vote because of his stance on marijuana legalization.

When Republicans in the Assembly pick a fight and try to ban intoxicating hemp products, do you think this guy will be on your side? There are countless smoke shops in the district and it looks like 4 retail shops selling delta products in West Bend and another 3 in Slinger. He is surrounded by cannabinoids in this district and probably does not like that one little bit.

vs

Deb Anderson (D-West Bend)

Anderson said in the release. “I have been listening to the people in my community through my work as the Director of Citizen Advocacy, where I matched people with developmental disabilities with people in the community. I listened to the people when I worked at Friends of Abused Families and learned about the impact of domestic violence on families, damage that can continue through generations.

Relevant experience: Alderperson on the West Bend City Council when they needed to connect a subdivision to the city sewer system or risk pollution in the Milwaukee River. I listened to the people as the Director of the Senior Center in West Bend and learned the value of growing friendships and activity skills in extending years of good health.

Anderson has resided in West Bend for over 42 years and is currently retired. Despite being retired, she serves on the Ethics Committee and the city of West Bend Housing Authority on behalf of the city.

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 she 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?

She added “We are surrounded by states that have legalized recreational use of marijuana so Wisconsin users are spending their money elsewhere when it could benefit our state and we can stop criminalizing users.“

Local activists and supporters of reform are very excited to see her run for State Assembly.

Please follow her campaign on her facebook page.

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 +40) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (71% Rep), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps, Ballotpedia