AD 75: Duke Tucker (R) vs Jane Kleiss (D)
Republican Gae Magnafici (R-Dresser) represented Polk County and parts of Burnett and St. Croix Counties. Magnafici announced her decision to retire from the Wisconsin State Assembly. The district she represented did slightly adjust under the new maps. She went from representing Assembly District 28 to living in Assembly District 75. This new assembly district 75 is a safe place for a Republican.
Magnafici had a great deal to say in a 2018 candidate interview about cannabis reform. In the spring of 2019 after overwhelming support in the Wisconsin public marijuana referendums the previous fall, many of the Assembly GOP members held a spring survey which was posted online and sent in the email to people on their mailing list.
The results of Assembly Representative Gae Magnafici (R-Dresser) spring survey are not surprising as 69% of this district supported medical marijuana. Wisconsin’s 28th Assembly District then encompassed Polk and Burnett County areas including Siren, Frederic, Luck, Centuria, St. Croix Falls, Dresser, Osceola, Balsam Lake, Grantsburg and Amery areas bordering Minnesota.
Enough about Magnafici. She really did not advance cannabis reform while in office and constituent activists in her area felt like she did not care. About the only thing she did was co-sponsor a bill (AB 236) in 2019 that prohibits DOJ, when conducting a search to determine if a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, from considering if the person participates in a medical marijuana program that is legal under state or federal law. That was an early sign from Republicans that they were going to try to pass a medical cannabis law.
The new district lines draw in some immediate contenders for the seat. The assembly district 75 is projected to be a 62.5% favor for the GOP. Republicans Duke Tucker and Neil Kline had the early bird itch to lock in this seat and the primary battle was set for August 13th, 2024 and Duke Tucker won with nearly 50% of the vote.
The Republican
Duke Tucker (R)
Born in St. Croix Falls and raised in Trade Lake. Spent a lot of time farming and was raised to work hard. Enlisted in USAF after graduation and was trained as a Telephone & Data Circuitry Specialist. Assigned to Vandenberg AFB, CA and served as a Combat Communications Specialist during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
Current Burnett County Board member.
When asked about marijuana reform back in March of 2024, Duke Tucker had this to say “I’ll be listening and learning about many issues. But no I have not developed a stance on that issue.” After a few exchanges he closed out our chat by saying “I’m sure the issue will be in front of the legislature again. I served on our library board with a person that is passionate about the issue too.“
On August 9th he did an interview and said on recreational marijuana legalization, he is open to the idea.
“I think there’s a lot of work to be done there to figure out how to test for people that are operating under the influence and all those sorts of things,” Tucker said.
On October 24th The Amery Free Press reported the candidate interviews for the district and cannabis reform was brought up.
Medical or recreational Cannabis use? I’ve never used cannabis/marijuana for medical or recreational use. Obviously, I wouldn’t know a lot about it. Medical use of cannabis is widely supported based on what I’ve heard during the campaign. Like any other issue, I’d study a bill closely and decide based on what I hear from what appear to be law-abiding good-natured folks before debating the bill in Madison and casting a vote. I don’t need to know everything about all issues as the district’s Assembly Representative. The job is more about listening to folks in the district and trying to make a sound decision.
vs
The Democrat
Jane Kleiss (St. Croix Falls)
Small business owner, mom, chef, and problem-solver.
When asked about her stance on marijuana reform back in March of 2024 she replied: I support legalizing cannabis for adult use and keeping those tax dollars in Wisconsin.
And Kleiss added to her ACLU statement on marijuana legalization: Wisconsin is now surrounded by legalized marijuana. We should legalize, regulate and tax marijuana and put the tax revenue to good use for our state.
On October 24th The Amery Free Press reported the candidate interviews for the district and cannabis reform was brought up.
Medical or recreational Cannabis use? Freedom when it comes to medical or recreational use of cannabis should refer to the legalization of cannabis. Cannabis use is legal in 38 states for medicinal use and 24 states for recreational use. We’re losing millions of tax dollars to neighboring states that have legalized recreational cannabis. It’s time for Wisconsin to legalize cannabis use and regulate it for adult consumption. We could put those tax revenues to good use paying for programs to support the hard-working families in our state.
Website; campaign Facebook page
75th Assembly District Info
Wisconsin’s 75th Assembly District includes all of Polk County and portions of Burnett County. The district’s western boundaries follow the beautiful St. Croix River and hold some of the most breathtaking river views.
The 75th Assembly District has approximately 60,058 people living in approximately 24,000 households.
Cities:
Amery, St. Croix Falls.
Villages (Polk & Burnett):
Balsam Lake, Centuria, Clayton, Clear Lake, Dresser, Frederic, Grantsburg, Luck, Milltown, Osceola, Siren, and Webster, and part of the Village of Turtle Lake.
Towns (Polk):
Alden, Apple River, Balsam Lake, Beaver, Black Brook, Bone Lake, Clam Falls, Clayton, Clear Lake, Eureka, Farmington, Garfield, Georgetown, Johnstown, Laketown, Lincoln, Lorain, Luck, McKinley, Milltown, Osceola, St. Croix Falls, Sterling, and West Sweden.
Towns (Burnett):
Anderson, Daniels, Dewey, Grantsburg, Jackson, La Follette, Lincoln, Meenon, Oakland, Roosevelt, Rusk, Sand Lake, Scott, Siren, Trade Lake, Union, West Marshland, and Wood River.
The district also contains the St. Croix Chippewa reservation, the Wisconsin portion of Interstate Park, and a significant portion of the Wisconsin side of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway.
The 75th Assembly District is located within Wisconsin’s 25th Senate district, along with the 73rd and 74th Assembly districts.
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 (Solid Repulbican +28) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (65% Rep), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps
