While some have called for eliminating Wisconsin’s Secretary of State Office, candidates in both major parties want to see the position take on more roles.
Doug La Follette has served as Wisconsin’s secretary of state for 36 years. As is mandated by the state constitution, he maintains official acts of the Legislature and governor, is keeper of the Great Seal, and works on some international issues.
When he was first elected, La Follette said he helped modernize the office. Over the years, however, the Democrat’s duties have been slowly stripped away. He said his office receives calls every day that have to be directed elsewhere.
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“Secretary of states offices in almost every state handle certain, pretty important business functions — corporations, trademarks, notary publics, uniform commercial code,” said La Follette.
La Follette wants those duties back. He said that if he’s reelected he’ll work with the governor to start restoring the original responsibilities of the office.
His Republican challenger Julian Bradley also wants to restore the office’s responsibilities. While some have called for eliminating the office, Bradley said he has a four-year plan that includes rebuilding bridges with the Legislature.
“I want to be able to take the secretary of state’s office and prove value,” said Bradley. “I want to show, ‘Hey, here’s what I can do as secretary. Here’s the difference that we’ve already made in the short amount of time we’ve been here.’”
The Constitution Party’s Jerry Broitzman and Libertarian Andy Craig will also be on the Nov. 4 ballot.
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