85 & 87 Assembly District and Snyder (R) moves

The Wausau and Weston area is on high alert for this election cycle. The 2024 map changes tighten up this district and make it competitive. The Ballotpedia comparison maps shows the new lines well and well, Schofield is not in the new 85th District.

The new 85th Assembly District looks to be a toss up to some experts with more conservative projections showing a slight lean to the GOP. There is no doubt though that this race is listed and being watched as highly competitive.

Schofield is “home” to Republican Patrick Snyder, or at least it was. The redistricting process has not only drawn Schofield out of the 85th district by including Schofield in the new 87th district boundaries, but the voting dynamics of this are are also changing in the 85th. Snyder must really like Wausau to give up being the Incumbent in the 87th and an almost assured victory to give up his life long home to run in a competitive race. I doubt he will move before the election and if he wins he might need a roommate in the Wausau area if anyone is interested?

Rep. Pat Snyder, R-Schofield, told WisPolitics he’s going to run for the 85th that he’s represented since his 2016 election after being drawn into the 87th AD he will move. He made that decision though he’s the only incumbent in the new district, which is more Republican than his old seat. Snyder said he’s “going to get an apartment or something” to establish residency in the redrawn 85th that’s now a 52.6% GOP seat. The new 87th is a 64% GOP seat.

Snyder on Marijuana

2018: I am not open to recreational marijuana after talking with the Marathon County Health Department and the AODA about the harmful effects it could have on our community. I’m concerned about the negative impacts, especially on our youth, some prompted by studies I read from Colorado and California which have legalized recreational marijuana.

2018: I’m very open to medical marijuana for patients in need. I believe it should be prescribed by a doctor like other medications. I hope the federal government declassifies it to a schedule II drug so that our universities can do medical research to help create FDA-approved drugs.

2018: I am open to discuss legalizing medical marijuana. I’ve talked with physicians and two of our county judges to hear their opinions. I see the benefits for those suffering from severe conditions that this would aid. I would like legislation that would control it like other medical prescriptions.

2019: Snyder said he doesn’t like the idea of adding legalized recreational marijuana to what for some families can be an already tough situation because of alcohol. “As troubling as that is, if we suddenly introduce marijuana, how will that affect our kids? So, when it comes to recreational at this time, I would not be in favor of it.”

2019: Snyder agreed that the research has proven there are benefits to using the drug for medicinal purposes. “I’ve talked with physicians and even local judges about this. They see when it comes to relieving pain and helping people that are struggling, I’m all for it.”

Rep. Snyder was one of the lead authors in GOP attempts at writing medical marijuana legislation over the past few sessions. The 2023-24 bill was met with opposition from many fellow GOP Assembly Representatives as well as the Republican Senate.

Marathon County had a medical marijuana question referendum question on the 2018 ballot and 82% voted in support of medical marijuana. In 2019 Assembly Representative Patrick Snyder (R-Schofield) spring survey results were not surprising, as over 70% of his district supported medical marijuana. His survey results are not posted online. 

85th AD Challenger to Snyder

Yee Leng Xiong (D – Weston)

His campaign facebook page was contacted on April 24th and again on June 2nd, 2024. Emailed 8/9/2024.

His campaign will be holding events over the next months and we encourage voters in the district to let the candidate know their feelings about how important it is to support legalization as a candidate in this district.

Who is next in the 87th?

I think everyone believes Snyder is on the move and three Republicans have already announced they are running in the new 87th District. Brent Jacobson (Mosinee), Richard Pulcher (Lublin) and Cory Sillars (Wausau) have all announced and that means issue based items like marijuana reform should be addressed in the primary battle. Often these primary elections are decided by very few votes.

The new version of District 87 covers parts of Marathon, Portage, Waupaca and Shawano counties. 

Brent Jacobson (R) – Primary Winner

Back in 2022 Marathon County a proposal to basically lower the fine for the existing decriminalization measure was met with some resistance by Jacobson. “I don’t want to see it in the hands of anybody quite frankly. I think it’s a poor comparison to suggest going home that going home and having a can of beer is the same as going home and having marijuana”, said Supervisor Brent Jacobson.

Jacobson said there was a time in his life when he would have said no to the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, but now he is open to hearing the points on it.

“I am a believer it’s a gateway drug,” Jacobson said. “Another concern of mine is that if you legalize marijuana and allow it to be sold at retail, and then it gets in the hands of dealers who will further manipulate that with more potent drugs in hopes of getting the purchaser hooked on it.”

Jacobsen told his local newspaper “While perhaps not true for all, for some, marijuana is a gateway drug. Further, the marijuana of today is not the marijuana of decades ago. Finally, legalizing marijuana only makes it far easier for dealers to sell the product at a loss on the street while lacing it with more addictive drugs in hopes of pushing far more serious and illegal drugs on unsuspecting purchasers.”

Jacobson lost a primary battle for Senate in 2022 against Cory Tomczyk. In 2018 Jacobson lost a primary election to John Spiros for State Assembly. Brent Jacobson is currently the Mayor of Mosinee. (Campaign Facebook) (Campaign Website)

Cory Sillars (R) – Lost in the primary

Cory Sillars from Rib Mountain is a Village Trustee since 2022 and a member of the Wausau School District Board.

Sillars said that he opposes legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, but would be open to legalizing marijuana for medical use if physician oversight was required.

“I think too many negative things could happen if it’s just given out as a prescription,” Sillars said.

William Switalla (D)

From Wittenberg. Ran in 2022 also and lost. Ran in 2018 and lost in primary. Ran in 2016 and lost. Campaign Facebook Page, website is down. Contacted again 8/9/2024.

Pulcher (D? I?)

Richard Pulcher from Lublin has thrown his hat into the ring. His name was definitely something I read before and his campaign website looks familiar to me. Research shows that a Richard Pulcher has run for office in the past. It looks like back in 2014 Pulcher lost to Republican Rep. James Edming in a general election. In 2018 he lost a Senate run against Jerry Petrowski (R). In 2020 Pulcher was back in the general election loosing again to Rep. James Edming. To loose against a Republican in the general election means something, doesn’t it? Making some more assumptions is this candidate is also on the move. Not only parties, but locations, as Lublin is located in another assembly district all together. I will report back more on this candidate for sure!

Stay tuned and get active!

I will provide you additional 2024 Wisconsin State Election coverage throughout the campaign season. This next election is extremely important for marijuana reform and I will continue to bring you information as more candidates make their political moves.

In the event that we end up with divided government in the 2024-25 legislation session, the official formation of The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus would be a must first step towards reform. The official establishment of this Caucus will represent the growing, bipartisan support in Wisconsin.

Although session as ended we still urge you to contact your elected officials. The top four action alerts are still functionable on The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Action Network for you immediate use.

Sources: CNanalysis, WisPolitics /2024 Senate Races /2024 Assembly Races, Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps