Jonathan Steitz
| Jonathan Steitz | |
 | |
| Former candidate for Wisconsin State Senate District 22 | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Website | Campaign site |
Contents |
Elections
2011
|
|
Steitz announced that he would run against Democratic Robert Wirch if a campaign to recall the current incumbent senator was approved. About 18,000 signatures to recall Wirch were filed on April 21, 2011. Signatures were filed against nine different state senators in Wisconsin while a total of 16 were originally targeted for recall.[2]
July 19 Republican Primary
Steitz defeated Ekornaas in the Republican primary.
| July 19 Republican primary[3] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
Jonathan Steitz 
|
5,981 | 61.06% | ||
| Fred Ekornaas | 3,369 | 34.39% | ||
| Scattering | 446 | 4.55% | ||
August 16 recall
Steitz lost to Wirch in the recall.
| August 16 Recall - District 22[4] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
Robert Wirch (D) 
|
25,524 | 57.35% | ||
| Jonathan Steitz (R) | 19,662 | 42.51% | ||
| Brian Harwood (Write-in) | 23 | .05% | ||
| Scattering | 42 | .09% | ||
Debates
Steitz’s campaign issued a call on July 25 for Wirch to debate the issues. According to a press release from Steitz, three organizations - the Kenosha Area Business Association, the American Association of University Women, and WLIP radio - invited the candidates to take part in debates, but Wirch did not respond. “Wirch is unwilling to stand on his record so he can avoid public discussion at all costs," Steitz said.[5]
Wirch and Steitz took part in a Journal Times online forum on August 10, answering questions from readers. Their responses showed clear differences in the candidates, starting with their views on the recall itself. Wirch called it "a waste of taxpayer money put on by radical elements in the Republican Party," while Steitz said, "I believe that a recall is appropriate when an elected official fails to do his job and abdicates his responsibility to represent us in Madison."[6] When asked their top priority, both said jobs, but greatly differed on the means to that end. Steitz called for a simpler tax code with overall reduced taxes, along with reduced regulations in order to promote competition. Wirch advocated for education that would lead to a well-trained workforce.
Certification challenge delays
On May 27, 2011, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board announced it would be unable to consider the recall petitions for the three Democratic incumbents at the May 31, 2011 meeting. Citing "numerous factual and legal issues," the Board said in its statement that more time is needed to ensure that a complete record will be available for examination -- particularly since the decision will likely be appealed to the courts.[7]
In its release, the GAB officials said they did not expect to be able to hold a hearing on the recalls of Democratic incumbents until the week of June 6. This raised potential legal issues, as the initial extension granted to GAB for certification required it to ultimately make determinations before June 3.[7]
The board went ahead with hearings on May 31 for the recalls of Republican incumbents Sheila Harsdorf, Robert Cowles and Alberta Darling.[8] Officials released a 125-page memo on May 27, 2011 concerning the signatures and legal challenges.
The GAB filed a brief on June 1 asking the court for a one-week extension, which would give them until June 10 to finish working on the three Democratic recalls. The case was heard in Dane County Court at 1:30 pm on Friday, June 3.[9][10] Dane County Judge John Markson ruled that there was good cause for the extension, and that the GAB did not violate any rules by taking up the petitions out of order.[11]
Ultimately, on June 8, after nearly 9 hours of deliberations, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board certified the recalls of three Democratic incumbents and set an initial election for July 19.[12]
Ads relating to the campaign
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Campaign themes
On his campaign website Steitz outlined five issues he is focused on:
- Leadership
- Excerpt: " I pledge to serve the taxpayers of the 22nd District with integrity; by first listening to the needs and concerns of my constituents, then making the tough decisions that will serve the best interests of the district in the long term. And I will never abandon my post – no matter how difficult things get."
- Job Creation and Economic Growth
- Excerpt: "I will work to implement policies that will encourage economic growth in the 22nd District – a simpler tax code, lower taxes and less burdensome government regulation. The private sector creates jobs and economic growth, not the public sector. Small businesses are the back bone of the private sector."
- Taxes
- Excerpt: "Wisconsin doesn’t have a revenue problem – it has a spending problem. We must balance the budget without raising taxes. As senator, I will not support any budget that raises taxes."
- 2nd Amendment
- Excerpt: "I believe that the right to bear arms under the 2nd Amendment includes the right to carry arms, whether open or concealed. I support SB93 (“Constitutional Carry”). I believe that restrictive gun laws serve only to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens – and do nothing to change the behavior of criminals."
- Pro-family Issues
- Excerpt: "I believe in the sanctity of life in all stages and am adamantly pro-life. While I believe that government should be involved as little as possible in personal decisions, there is no more important role of government than to protect the most vulnerable people in our society, including the unborn. I believe the family unit is the bedrock of society and will support policies that place marriage and the family at the center, working to promote and strengthen this long-established institution."
Campaign contributions
| Jonathan Steitz Campaign Finance Reports (GAB ID No. 0105110) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions | (Expenditures) | Cash on Hand | ||||
| Special Pre-Election[13] | August 8, 2011 | $12,476.00 | $38,676.00 | $(27,894.94) | $23,257.06 | ||||
| July Continuing[14] | July 11, 2011 | $0.00 | $27,197.40 | $(20,777.17) | $6,515.23 | ||||
Official reports
- Special Pre-Primary July 11, 2011
- July Continuing July 11, 2011
- Special Pre-Election Report August 8, 2011
External links
- Official campaign website
- Steitz for Senate Facebook page
- Jonathan Steitz on Twitter
- Project Vote Smart biographical profile
- Campaign contributions: 2011
References
- ↑ Greenfield Reporter, "Second challenger for Wisconsin Democratic Senator Wirch in possible recall election," May 18, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Recall petitions filed against 4 lawmakers," April 21, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "July 19 Primary Election Results District 22," accessed August 11, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "District 22 recall election results," accessed August 26, 2011
- ↑ WisPolitics, “Steitz Campaign: Wirch ducking debates with Steitz,” July 25, 2011
- ↑ The Journal Times, "Wirch and Steitz battling to the finish during JT online forum," August 11, 2011
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Review of recall petitions going slowly; July 12 election in doubt," May 27, 2011
- ↑ Greenfield Reporter "Wis. election officials delay decision on recall petitions for Dems, may need date change," May 27, 2011
- ↑ WisPolitics, "GAB formally asks judge for more time to consider recall petitions against Dems," June 1, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "State board requests more time to review recall petitions," June 1, 2011
- ↑ NBC 15, "UPDATE: Judge Grants Week Extension for Recall Review," June 3, 2011
- ↑ WISN, “GAB Certifies 3 Democratic Recall Elections,” June 8, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT: STATE OF WISCONSIN: GAB-2: Steitz for Senate," August 8, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT: STATE OF WISCONSIN: GAB-2: Steitz for Senate," July 11, 2011
| |||||||||||||||||
