Wisconsin’s 7th CD Primary Candidates
Last week I wrote about the primary election for Wisconsin’s next governor. This week I discuss the candidates running for the 7th Congressional district.
But first a comment on the media and the Wisconsin governors race. The media is repeating the false narrative that with five candidates the Democrats are divided and the Republicans are united behind one candidate. The truth is the Democrats are engaged in a democratic primary election where the voters decide the final candidate. The Republicans had four candidates until the “great leader” chose (endorsed) Tiffany. Two candidates immediately dropped out and the third has zero chance of winning the primary. In the Republican party primary the voters have no choice. Trump picked their candidate. This is not how democracy should work.
I attended a candidate forum with the three Democratic candidates for the 7th CD. The three candidates have very similar views on the issues but each has a quite different personality, style and ideas for governing. Interestingly, they all were actually friendly with each other, agreeing, complimenting and joking together. It was an enjoyable and entertaining event.
The Democratic candidates
Chris Armstrong speaks his mind without reservations. He also has good, interesting things to say. His opening statement lambasted Trump for illegal and unconstitutional behavior and called for impeachment on day one. His background is in computer consulting but he had cautionary comments about data centers and AI (see his website). He has Jewish heritage but spoke eloquently against Israeli’s war on Palestinians.
Chris Armstrong earned a BS degree in Astrophysics from the University of Minnesota. He has 40 years of experience in the IT industry and is the owner of a computer consulting small business.
Chris lists 14 policy concerns on his website. These short, plain language statements lay out a sensible progressive agenda. He calls for abolishing ICE, affordable healthcare for everyone, supporting family farms, renewable energy, environmental protection, immigration reform and ending Trump’s tariff chaos. He opposes the war in Iran. Voting rights and restoring democracy is his big concern.
Chris is a good guy with a good message but he has no political experience and only recently became an activist.
Ginger Murray is an attorney from rural Crandon Wisconsin. She has extensive experience in family law. From 1999 to 2004 she was a Family Court Commissioner in Forest and Oneida counties presiding over divorce, child support, and domestic violence cases. She also served as the city attorney for Crandon. In 2004 she moved to Madison to work for a large law firm. In 2014 she established her own small business doing family law which currently has offices in Crandon, Jefferson and Madison.
Ginger’s “approach to progress” includes progressive positions on education, school funding, affordable healthcare, environmental protection and a “stable” economy with “respectable compensation for working families, profits for small businesses, and sustainable job growth…”
On her campaign website she condemns Trump’s war in Iran as “unprovoked, unwarranted, and unconstitutional.” She says, “The law is clear, and the President did not follow it.” Being a lawyer she is especially good on the importance of the rule of law.
Ginger believes everyone will be better off by “dropping divisive tactics” and “bringing people together…” On her campaign website she has a picture of the three Democratic candidates together. Ginger is a strong women and will be a strong advocate for progressive progress. We need more politicians like her. But she also lacks legislative experience.
Fred Clark has 35 years experience in forestry and natural resources management. He has a masters degree in forestry, was the chief forester for the Wisconsin DNR and has run his own forestry consulting business. He has served on several forestry related governmental advisory boards, worked for the Nature Conservancy and was a founding member and director of Wisconsin GreenFire (an environmental research and policy organization). Few politicians have his knowledge of environmental science.
Fred is also knowledgeable on other issues. His campaign website and his comments at the forum show he understands the full range of social, political and foreign policy problems facing our country. This includes opposing the current war and the need to impeach Trump. Fred has legislative experience. He served three terms in the Wisconsin Assembly (2009-2015). He will be a strong progressive advocate.
Fred’s campaign tag line is “A Congressman for all of us.” My impression from the candidate forum is that Fred has the demeanor and personality to build bipartisan agreement on issues and is the most electable of the three candidates. He has the best chance to win in a strongly “red,” gerrymandered district.
The Republican candidates.
There are five Republican primary candidates for the 7th CD seat. All but one are Trump supporters who are campaigning to continue the MAGA disaster we are experiencing.
Michael Alfonso, has no experience or qualifications but is the son-in-law of Sean Duffy, Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Alphonso has been endorsed by Trump. He says, “I support the President because…he’s right every single time…” Enough said about Mr. Alfonso.
Kevin Hermening owns a financial planning company. He is financing his campaign with $1 million of his own money. His campaign website lists the all usual Republican talking points that will not solve our problems or help people. One example is his belief – as a school board member – that “freedom” was more important then sensible, proven public health safeguards like masking.
Jessi Ebben is young, married mother with no apparent experience or qualifications for the job. On her website she says, “I’m running for Congress in Wisconsin’s 7th district to advance President Trump’s America First agenda and protect the Heartland values we hold dear.”
Donald Raihala from Superior is more of the same. This is his fourth run for Congress.
Nina Baum is the only sensible Republican candidate. She is a rare somewhat liberal Republican. On her website she says, “A healthy democracy does not run on loyalty to personalities. It runs on accountability, restraint, and leaders who are willing to put the Constitution ahead of political pressure.” She supports “Congress reclaiming its constitutional authority over war powers, the budget, and federal oversight rather than deferring…to the executive branch.“
She is a breath of fresh air in a party that has lost all its former principles and values. Ms. Baum should be seriously considered by Republican voters.
So there are the choices. Let’s hope the voters choose wisely on August 11th and November 3rd.