WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsEditorial: Man with criminal record steps up to challenge Obey

Editorial: Man with criminal record steps up to challenge Obey

Editorial:

by: Chris Stanford

If history is any indication, Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District will be represented by Dave Obey in 2011.  I know the 2010 campaigns are rather new, but so far, only one candidate has registered to challenge.

Over the past few months, we've received a number of emails from the office of Sean Duffy and Dan Mielke talking about their congressional campaigns and their plans to unseat reigning congressman Dave Obey.  But, neither Duffy nor Mielke have filed as candidates with the state.

As of 9/2/09 the Wisconsin State Elections Board has only one candidate listed to challenge Obey: Ken Driessen.  Who?  Exactly.  Driessen is an Independent from Hayward.  In August of 2008 he was convicted of possessing THC in Sawyer County, and currently has a drug case making its way through Sawyer County court. 

 According to his website, he wants to introduce a concept to politics that he calls, "Direct Participatory Democracy".  He defines this as: "The implementation of a system, within our government, that will allow every eligible voter a chance to vote on every law and appropriation that "representatives" now vote on. Currently they vote with no accountability of whether or not they have entered a vote that reflects the will of the majority of the people."  You can read more on his website by clicking here.

According to his campaign website, Republican Sean Duffy is the District Attorney for Ashland County.  His name also may sound familiar because he's a former cast-member of MTV's "The Real World", where he met his wife.  But as mentioned in paragraph two; he has yet to formally file even though he declared his candidacy on July 8^th during stops in Wausau and Hayward.  You can learn more about Duffy by clicking here.

Republican Dan Mielke has also declared himself a candidate.  Mielke has campaigned for the state legislature and for Portage County Executive.  Having never held a public office before, this self-proclaimed self-employed farmer is listed as Obey's primary opponent on www.congress.org.  Click here to learn more about Mielke.

It's probably fair to say Mielke and Duffy will eventually file, and that Driessen will have his work cut out for him.  But, here's an interesting though: Obey will be 72 when, or if, he's elected to a 22^nd term. 

You can email Chris at cstanford@wqow.com