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John Calabrese
John Calabrese (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 29. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Calabrese was a 2018 Democratic special election candidate for District 10 of the Wisconsin State Senate.
Elections
2020
See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2020
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29
Clint Moses defeated John Calabrese in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Clint Moses (R) | 60.2 | 18,961 |
 | John Calabrese (D) | 39.7 | 12,509 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 13 | ||
| Total votes: 31,483 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29
John Calabrese advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Calabrese | 99.9 | 3,870 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2 | ||
| Total votes: 3,872 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29
Clint Moses defeated Neil Kline and Ryan Sherley in the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Clint Moses | 38.2 | 2,355 |
| Neil Kline | 32.4 | 1,998 | ||
| Ryan Sherley | 29.3 | 1,807 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 4 | ||
| Total votes: 6,164 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2018
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2018
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29
Incumbent Rob Stafsholt defeated John Calabrese and Brian Corriea in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Rob Stafsholt (R) | 54.7 | 12,523 |
| John Calabrese (D) | 42.6 | 9,750 | |
| Brian Corriea (L) | 2.7 | 620 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 3 | ||
| Total votes: 22,896 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29
John Calabrese advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Calabrese | 100.0 | 3,222 |
| Total votes: 3,222 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29
Incumbent Rob Stafsholt advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rob Stafsholt | 100.0 | 3,155 |
| Total votes: 3,155 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29
Brian Corriea advanced from the Libertarian primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 29 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Brian Corriea | 100.0 | 21 | |
| Total votes: 21 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018 special election
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 10, Special Election, 2018 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Patty Schachtner |
54.6% | 12,249 | |
| Republican | Adam Jarchow | 44.2% | 9,909 | |
| Libertarian | Brian Corriea | 1.2% | 273 | |
| Total Votes | 22,434 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission | ||||
A special election for the position of Wisconsin State Senate District 10 was held on January 16, 2018. Patty Schachtner (D) defeated Adam Jarchow (R) and Brian Corriea (L) with 55 percent of the vote in the general election.[1] Jarchow conceded to Schachtner on Twitter, saying, "I just called Patty Schachtner and congratulated her on her victory tonight. I look forward to working with her as our new state Senator. Thank you to all who worked so hard for our campaign."[2]
Results indicated that voter turnout in the 2018 District 10 special election was at its lowest compared to elections in the district within the last decade, with 22,434 votes cast. As of January 1, 2018, Wisconsin Senate District 10 had 99,917 registered voters, meaning approximately twenty-two percent of registered electors voted in the 2018 special election.[1][3]
Regarding the election results, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote, "Schachtner's win gives Democrats momentum, but they remain deep in the minority. Once she is seated, Republicans will hold an 18-14 advantage, with one district vacant."[4] Wisconsin is currently one of 26 Republican trifectas: Scott Walker (R) holds the governor’s office and Republicans have majorities in the state Senate and state Assembly.
The special election garnered national interest, with outside groups providing contributions and resources to both the Democratic and Republican candidates. District 10 last saw a similar amount of outside involvement during a 2011 recall effort.[5][6]
The seat was left vacant after the resignation of Sheila Harsdorf (R). Harsdorf resigned from the state Senate effective November 10, 2017, after being appointed as secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.[7] Harsdorf held the seat from 2001 to 2017, winning the recall election leveled against her in 2011.
Harsdorf won the seat with 59.2 percent and 63.2 percent of the vote in 2012 and 2016, respectively. The last Democratic state senator to hold the district was Alice Clausing. Clausing represented District 10 from 1993 to 2001. Harsdorf defeated Clausing in the 2000 election for the seat with 50.34 percent of the vote. Clausing received 47.15 percent.[8][9] Senate District 10 is one of 710 state legislative districts that intersect with one or more Pivot Counties. These 206 Pivot Counties voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. In 2016, Trump won the district with 55.30 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 38.05 percent.
Democratic group Greater Wisconsin Political Independent Expenditure Fund bought $30,000 in online ads and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee–chaired by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder–gave $10,000 to Lockwood Strategy Lab in Washington, D.C. for online advertising to support Schachtner.[10] Conservative group Americans for Prosperity spent over $50,000 on ads and mailings supporting Jarchow, the first time the group’s Wisconsin chapter directly recommended a candidate. Other groups, such as the Democratic group Greater Wisconsin Committee and the Republican State Leadership Committee also spent money on the election.[5][6]
As of January 13, Schachtner and Jarchow had cumulatively raised $523,609.19. Over $50,000 of their total monetary contributions and in-kind donations were received after January 1. Schachtner raised $209,649.53 in monetary contributions and in-kind donations. Some of her biggest donors included the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and the State Senate Democratic Committee.[11][12] Jarchow raised $313,959.66 via monetary contributions, loans, and in-kind donations. His biggest donors included the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate. Jarchow loaned his campaign $50,000.00.[13][14][15]
A primary election was held on December 19, 2017. Schachtner defeated Reuben Herfindahl and John Calabrese in the Democratic primary. Jarchow defeated Shannon Zimmerman in the Republican primary.[16]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 10 Democratic Primary, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|
Patty Schachtner |
70.5% | 3,898 | ||
| John Rocco Calabrese | 24.7% | 1,365 | ||
| Reuben Helge Herfindahl | 4.7% | 260 | ||
| Scattering | 0.1% | 3 | ||
| Total Votes | 5,526 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission |
||||
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 10 Republican Primary, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|
Adam Jarchow |
55.9% | 4,023 | ||
| Shannon Zimmerman | 44% | 3,161 | ||
| Scattering | 0.1% | 8 | ||
| Total Votes | 7,192 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission |
||||
Voter turnout
From 2008 to 2016, an average of 85,090 votes were cast in Wisconsin Senate District 10 elections. The 2018 special election saw a drop in total turnout of 73 percent. One-third as many people voted in the 2018 election as they did in the 2011 recall election, the second-lowest instance of voter turnout from 2008 to 2018. In 2011, 64,411 citizens cast a vote, compared to the 22,434 who voted in the 2018 special election. Find out the voter turnout in other noteworthy state legislative special elections in 2017 here.
Past Senate District 10 elections
2016 election
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2016
Incumbent Sheila Harsdorf defeated Diane Odeen in the Wisconsin State Senate District 10 general election.[17][18]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 10 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Sheila Harsdorf Incumbent |
63.22% | 56,496 | |
| Democratic | Diane Odeen | 36.78% | 32,863 | |
| Total Votes | 89,359 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission | ||||
2012 election
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2012
Incumbent Sheila Harsdorf defeated Daniel Olson in the Wisconsin State Senate District 10 general election.[19]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniel Olson | 40.7% | 35,728 | |
| Republican | Sheila Harsdorf Incumbent |
59.2% | 51,911 | |
| - | Scattering | 0.1% | 95 | |
| Total Votes | 87,734 | |||
2011 recall
Harsdorf defeated Moore in the August 9 recall.
| August 9 Recall - District 10[20] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Sheila Harsdorf (R)
|
37,102 | 57.6% | ||
| Shelly Moore (D) | 27,257 | 42.32% | ||
| Scattering | 52 | .08% | ||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Calabrese did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Calabrese completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Calabrese's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Fight Corruption Protect our Water Restore Local Control
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Education Infrastructure Environmental All these issues have been ignored, cut and underfunded to pay for tax cuts for the richest Wisconsinites and giveaways to well connected campaign donors.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to teachers, town and county board members, nurses, and artists. Because these are the people who do tireless work under the radar that benefits us all.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
A Sand County Almanac Also Leopold Dark Money Jane Meyer
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Patience Attentiveness Kindness Resolve
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have in depth knowledge of how massive spending in our political system has corrupted and effected every issue we care about it. I have the working class background to understand the struggles of workers.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Accountability to the people alone. Honesty Integrity
What legacy would you like to leave?
An inhabitable ecosystem for everyone's children to be able to survive in. A government controlled by the people instead of corruptors.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
Lake Placid Olympics. US Hockey defeating the USSSR. 4 years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Farm help. Stacking straw and Hay. 3 summers.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving. Family and food.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Anam Cara John Odonoghue It is full of poetry for every occasion. It is comforting and filled with wisdom.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Han Solo
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My family.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
I know we can Pointer Sisters
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Having patience. But I'm getting better with age.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
99 Assembly members allows for closer local engagement, which should lead to better representation. It's important to have their viewpoint as well as that of the Senate before a bill goes to the Governor.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I believe it very well could be. Experience in local communities is also important.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Protecting our environment. Removing the financial stranglehold that big business and developer and hyper growth groups have on our stage.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
Level headed, wisdom filled partner in attempting to seek what's best for everybody.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Of course. We are humans. We must build relationships in the hope of finally putting the massive partisanship aside.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Independent third party. Iowa model.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Education Environment
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Paul Wellstone
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Not at this point.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I've met several elderly people with similar stories. Their small town business community has been depleted, their health care/prescription costs are rising and they fear that they'll have to sell their home. Nursing homes are closing and are underfunded, younger family members are moving away. We must shift priorities to make Wisconsin sustainable for everyone not just the wealthy campaign corruptors.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Canvass Results for 2018 Special Election State Senate District 10," accessed January 30, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Adam Jarchow," accessed January 16, 2018
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "January 1, 2018 Voter Registration Statistics," accessed January 17, 2018
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Democrats grab key Wisconsin Senate seat in Tuesday's special elections," January 16, 2018
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wisconsin State Journal, "Next week's special Senate election first to test national Democratic wave in Wisconsin," January 10, 2018
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tuesday's Wisconsin Senate special election could be bellwether for 2018 legislative races," January 12, 2018
- ↑ Fox 6 Now, "“I am honored:” Governor Scott Walker appoints Sen. Sheila Harsdorf as Agriculture head," November 10, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin State Elections Board , "Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000," accessed January 12, 2017
- ↑ The State of Wisconsin Collection, "State of Wisconsin 1999-2000 blue book," accessed January 12, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Post Election reporting period for special elections 2018 (Assm: 58, 66; Sen: 10): National Democratic Redistricting Committee," accessed January 12, 2018
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Campaign Finance Report State of Wisconsin CF-2," accessed January 16, 2018
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Special Report of Late Contribution State of Wisconsin CF-3," accessed January 12, 2018
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Campaign Finance Report State of Wisconsin ETHCF-2," accessed January 16, 2018
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Campaign Finance Report State of Wisconsin CF-2," accessed January 16, 2018
- ↑ Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System, "Special Report of Late Contribution State of Wisconsin CF-3, Amended," accessed January 16, 2018
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2017 Special Partisan Primary Senate District 10," accessed November 25, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates on Ballot by Election - 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed November 4, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2016 Fall General Election Results," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, Official 2012 primary results, accessed November 23, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "District 10 Recall Election Results," accessed August 19, 2011
