Two Democrats will face off in the Aug. 14 primary for the chance to run against incumbent Republican Rep. Howard Marklein in the Nov. 6 general election.
Pat Bomhack
Age: 30
Address: Dodgeville
Occupation: Full-time candidate
Family: Parents and two sisters
Education: Bachelor's degree from Stanford University; master's degree from London School of Economics; currently attending UW-Madison Law School
Public service: Dodgeville Historic Preservation Board member; Dodgeville Housing Board member; Iowa County Ethics Board vice chairman; and Southwest Wisconsin Library System Board of Trustees member
Website: www.patbomhack.com
Maureen May-Grimm
Age: 50
Address: Mineral Point
Occupation: Project manager at IBM
Family: Daughter
Education: Degree in management/human resource management, UW-Platteville
Public service: Second term as Mineral Point School board member
Website: www.maureenmaygrimm.com
Q&A
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Q: What sets you apart from your opponent?
Bomhack: What sets me apart from my opponent is my experience in Wisconsin government. From 2006-08, I worked on the legislative staff of former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold. Like my old boss, I oppose the corrupting influence of money in politics. That is why I refuse to accept money from special interests, PACs and lobbyists.
May-Grimm: My primary opponent has lived in the district for just over a year. I've lived here most of my life. I worked my way through college, have a solid record of business success and serve on the local school board. I know the district, its people and challenges. I'll represent them. My November GOP opponent, an ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) member, automatically votes the party line.
Q: If elected, would you revisit the issues of mining and venture capital? If so, how would you break the current impasse on these issues?
Bomhack: These issues are important, but it will not be my first priority to revisit them.
May-Grimm: Mining can provide good jobs for years, or scar the land for centuries. Democrats, Republicans, mine owners, regulators, environmentalists, labor, Native Americans and local communities all have a voice and can develop an effective plan together. Venture capitalists can be important in economic development, if one of their goals is local job creation.
Q: What is your plan for improving the state's economy and adding jobs, and how would you get fellow lawmakers on board with it?
Bomhack: To grow our economy, we must: (1) invest in our infrastructure by modernizing our roads and bridges, and expanding rural internet; (2) invest in our people by supporting public schools, technical colleges, and worker training programs; and (3) support Wisconsin's most important industries, such as manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.
May-Grimm: There are steps we can take now to create jobs: invest in education, especially technical colleges to fill available jobs in the trades, support industries that create jobs in Wisconsin, such as local and small businesses, green technologies, agriculture and manufacturing. Reasonable legislators will recognize the substantial returns on that investment.
Q: The governor has said he does not plan to enforce key parts of the Affordable Care Act, at least not until the November election. What is your stance on this issue?
Bomhack: Now that the Supreme Court has said the Affordable Care Act is constitutional, it should be implemented.
May-Grimm: Governors who balk at the Affordable Care Act are simply carrying out their unrelenting campaign against the president. Walker's petulance on this and other Obama initiatives has already cost Wisconsin taxpayers millions and will deny health insurance for thousands of our citizens. Wisconsin should immediately comply with the ACA.
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(3) comments
Really, how hard can it be to put up maps along with the bios?
Maureen May-Grimm is the clear Democratic choice here.
Bomhacks answer on the affordable care act is one of oh, since the supreme court said it's constitutional we should implement it. That sounds too much like, I really wasn't for it until the court ruled.
One of the most historic pieces of legislation since Medicare or Social Security and he has a nonchalant attitude toward the act?
The affordable care act finally puts insurance companies on notice that profits are no longer the priority when it comes to providing health care for Americans.
We are seeing more and more of these "pop-up" democratic candidates that "pop-up" in a state or a district with a short history of living in that state or district, and running for office.... beware of candidates like these.
Pat Bomhack is a real leader he has my vote.
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