Sean Duffy Will Face Ashland City Councilwoman In November Election

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Weston, will face Democratic Ashland City Councilwoman Kelly Westlund in the November election as he continues his bid for a third term serving the 7th Congressional District.

Duffy and Westlund oppose each other on many issues, including the proposed Penokee Hills iron ore mine. Westlund says its impact on the environment will hurt tourism. Duffy, however, says northern Wisconsin needs the jobs.

“If we can do it safely, those are really good-paying jobs,” said Duffy. “She’s opposed to that, so how do you say you’re in favor of good-paying jobs when you’re opposed to those right in your back yard?

Westlund has said that she does not trust Gogebic Taconite, the company proposing the mine.

“They came to our community and told us that they weren’t going to seek legislative changes, and that’s exactly what they did,” said Westlund.

In terms of the economy, Westlund has said she wants the government to address income inequality and raise the minimum wage.

“Over the last 40 years, we’ve seen workers more educated, more productive, and their wages remain stagnant while profit margins for corporations have grown,” said Westlund. “That tells me that that wealth, which should be going to workers, is being accumulated at the very top.”

Duffy, on the other hand, said he wants to create more jobs by cutting government regulations.

“What’s most important is, do we have opportunity for people?” he said. “It’s hard to create opportunity through government rules and government regulation. It comes naturally with good policies in Washington that allow our small businesses to expand and grow and create more jobs.”

Duffy defeated Don Raihala while Democrat Kelly Westlund defeated Mike Krsiean in their respective primaries on Tuesday. They will also face Green Party candidate Lawrence Dale in the general election.