Primaries Look Possible In Many Statewide And Congressional Offices

Primary elections appear possible for all of Wisconsin’s statewide constitutional offices after Monday’s filing deadline, and there could be a surprise primary for Milwaukee’s congressional seat.

Among those who filed nominating signatures on Monday was former Democratic state Sen. Gary George, a once-powerful state lawmaker who served prison time for illegally accepting kickbacks while in office. George filed to run in a Democratic primary against U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee). In a written statement, George said he was running for office because public service is his calling, and “Milwaukee desperately needs the results-oriented leadership” he could provide.

Moore was first elected to Congress in 2004, and previously served with George in the state Legislature.

Also filing nominating signatures just 30 minutes ahead of the deadline was state Rep. Brett Hulsey (D-Madison), who is running for governor. Hulsey says he filed about 2,300 signatures, most of which he gathered himself. The threshold for making the ballot is 2,000 signatures.

Assuming enough of his signatures are valid, Hulsey’s candidacy would force an August primary against Democrat Mary Burke. While Burke is the party’s endorsed candidate, Hulsey says he’ll be at the state Democratic convention this weekend.

“I am, I have signed up to volunteer,” Hulsey said. “They won’t let me speak, but hopefully I can pick up some of the confetti from the Mary Burke coronation there.”

In addition to the Democratic primary for governor, it appeared after the filing deadline that there could be a Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, a three-way Democratic primary for attorney general, a Republican primary for secretary of state, and primaries in both parties for state treasurer.

Challenges to nominating signatures are due this Thursday and the state Government Accountability Board meets next Tuesday to finalize the ballot.