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Who will succeed Dave Travis in the 81st Assembly?

With six Democratic contenders, and no Republican competition, this is one Assembly primary race where every vote may actually count

Steven Elbow  —  7/16/2008 7:01 am

Candidates vying for the 81st Assembly District may not have to face an opponent in the general election, but getting past the primary isn't going to be a cakewalk.

"What matters tremendously is who can get out their voters, and that takes work and organization," said Dave Travis, who has held the seat for 30 years.

As of last week's filing deadline, six Democrats had entered the race. Republicans, who are putting their resources into more competitive races as they try to hang onto their narrow Assembly majority, had not fielded a candidate.

The Democrats include Waunakee Village President John Laubmeier, Madison restaurant owner Peng Her, former lobbyist Eric Englund, Dane County Assistant District Attorney Tim Kiefer, state Senate legislative aide Justin Sargent and former NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Executive Director Kelda Helen Roys.

Travis said every vote will count, because there won't be many to go around.

"Hardly anybody is going to vote," he said. "There's nothing else on the ballot. It will be a very small number of people who are going to decide this election."

Travis estimated a turnout as low as 4,000 for the Sept. 9 primary. In 2000, the last time he faced a Republican during a presidential election, nearly 30,000 votes were cast. But his 2006 primary battle with Henry Sanders brought out just over 4,500 voters.

"It's conceivable that 1,000 votes could win this, certainly 1,200," he said. "If you got 1,500 votes you've got a lock on this."

Whoever wins, he said, will do a good job.

"I've talked to all the candidates, and to tell you the truth they're a pretty impressive bunch," said Travis, who isn't endorsing a candidate. In fact, he said, "They're a whole lot smarter than me."

The district includes north Madison, the village of Waunakee, and the towns of Black Earth, Berry, Springfield, Cross Plains and Burke. It is one of the most Democratic districts in the state, and getting more Democratic all the time, so it doesn't figure into the Democrats' push to get the three seats they need to take control of the Assembly for the first time in 14 years -- which could put them in control of the Assembly, Senate and governor's office.

The candidates are working hard, knocking on doors and gathering an impressive array of endorsements that shed light on the kinds of connections they've forged during their years of public service.

Laubmeier has been endorsed by various government officials from the townships surrounding Waunakee, including elected officials from the towns of Westport, Springfield and Berry

Her, a member of Madison's Economic Development Commission and the Dane County Human Services Board, who also sits on the boards of several community groups, including Communities United, Friends of Troy Gardens and Northside Planning Council, has been endorsed by numerous county health officials, ethnic leaders, Madison school board President Arlene Silveira and former school board members ranging from the progressive Bill Keyes to the conservative Ray Allen.

Roys and Sargent have gained the support of numerous members of the state Assembly and Senate. Roys also landed the support of Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, while Sargent's supporters include Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney and former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin.

And Kiefer can boast the support of many in the legal community, including Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard, fellow prosecutors and state Justice Department attorneys.

Englund, who until recently was president of the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance, did not list any endorsements. He bills his campaign as a grass-roots effort.

Most of the candidates are running on similar platforms. When asked to identify their top three issues, all included improving access to health care. Luabmeier, Roys, Sargent and Her also listed improving school funding and growing the economy.

With so many similarities, expect the race to center on who is best qualified for the job.

Laubmeier, Sargent, Roys and Englund point to their experience working with the legislature or on policy issues, Keifer his experience as a prosecutor. Her is touting his community service and his status as an outsider.

Travis said the spoils could well go to the candidate who works the hardest -- or has the biggest family. He recounted his 1984 primary against Vern Acker, which he nearly lost.

"After the election he told me he and his mom made 2,000 phone calls in the two weeks before the election to their relatives," he said.

Spoils?

For the lucky winner of the race, the payoff is, at least in financial terms, fairly modest.

Whoever wins will earn a whopping $47,413 a year, well above burger-flipping wages, but not exactly the kind of money one expects to make after getting a degree in law.

Travis was elected while director of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

"I took a pay cut to take this job, and in 30 years it hasn't kept up with inflation," he said.

Travis said he's never been in public service to get rich, but it's time to start thinking about padding his retirement fund.

"I'll be 60 in a couple of months," he said. "I'm leaving because of the money."

For someone like Kiefer, who makes $47,036 and whose salary as a public employee is public information, it would be a lateral move. But for Sargent, who made $77,196 as chief of staff for Sen. Judy Robson until he went on unpaid leave on June 3, it's decidedly a step down, financially speaking.

Travis said that even though it would be nice to be in the majority -- he gives the Dems a 75 percent chance to not screw up their golden opportunity -- it's time to move on.

He doesn't have anything lined up yet. Because of ethics laws, it's difficult for an elected officials to solicit employment in many circles. But he's taking the advice of his old friend, a former speaker of the state Assembly, who went on to become ambassador to Norway.

"As my good buddy Tom Loftus tells me, 'Don't worry, it will come,'" he said.

Steven Elbow  —  7/16/2008 7:01 am