President Barack Obama is taking the rare step of endorsing Democratic candidates for state legislatures, including two Wisconsin Assembly candidates.
Obama endorsed Democrat Jeff Wright, of Plain, in his race against Republican Assemblyman Todd Novak, of Dodgeville. Obama also endorsed Reedsburg Democrat Art Shrader in his race against Republican Assemblyman Edward Brooks, also from Reedsburg
Wright and Shrader were among a list of more than 90 Democratic legislative candidates Obama endorsed over the past week. Politico reported Obama was focusing his endorsements mostly on swing districts. While Obama is a former state senator, he never endorsed state legislative candidates as president until this year.
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Democrats face an uphill battle in the Wisconsin Assembly, where Republicans hold a 63-36 seat majority. Republicans also control the Wisconsin Senate with a 19-14 majority.
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