AD 62: Winner is Cruz (D) AD 63: Winner is Wittke (R)
The headline is just a prediction but likely true even though candidates have not even hit the deadline for signature collection to obtain ballot access.
There are about 29 out of 99 Assembly Districts to watch in the 2024 Fall General Election. Many more if you count primary battles, but in reality, those 29 seats are labeled as competitive by some standard. There are about 11 of them to really keep a close eye on because the outcome is very uncertain for either party.
I think the Democrats are going to easily get 42 seats and take another 4 of these more competitive seats with a good chance to take a majority of the remaining. I think the Republicans are easily going to take 46 seats and have their eyes on taking another 7. Those 11 seats are really important and unfortunately this article is about Assembly District 62 and 63, which either are not one of the 29 and are not one of the eleven. Unfortunately, these races in the 62nd and 63rd already seems decided.
Robert Wittke (R – Racine)
Wittke has not co-sponsored any legislation ever. There was not much public about him and his stance on cannabis reform prior to the 2024 Republican medical marijuana legislation.
State Rep. Robert Wittke (R-Racine) said in an interview on 4/20 Assembly Republicans are discussing a bill applying only to medical marijuana. Wittke’s comments came hours after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told the Associated Press a group of GOP lawmakers were hashing out such a plan.
“That’s true,” Wittke said of an Assembly GOP medical marijuana plan. “There’s a number of Senate Republicans that are discussing it as well.”
Wittke said he opposed any efforts to legalize marijuana for recreational adult use. He added he would consider supporting a medical marijuana bill, depending on what it contained.
“I’ve talked to a lot of veterans. I’ve talked to a lot of other groups that would like us to consider it for different things, that would treat them,” Wittke said. “I’m more than glad to listen to that, find out what the framework is before we decide which way to go forward.”
Wittke said he was not personally involved in those Assembly GOP talks.
Wittke said economic incentives were not enough to outweigh his concerns on recreational marijuana. He questioned whether new tax revenue would justify the costs of regulating a legal recreational marijuana economy.
“If it’s being collected, how is it being allocated, or what are the expenses that are being applied against it?” Wittke said. “If people wanna go to Illinois, they wanna go to Michigan, they wanna go across the Minnesota, that’s great.”
Wittke added he considered marijuana a backburner issue. He said his priorities this spring were tax and education bills.
Wittke announced he will move into the 63rd after the 62nd became much more favorable for Democrats. The new 63rd includes a significant chunk of Wittke’s old district and is a safe place for a GOP Incumbent. It does not appear that Wittke will face a Republican primary challenger nor a Democrat challenger in the fall in the new 63rd Assembly District and that makes the blog article for AD 63 go on the back burner, but gives Wittke the seat and the win in the election just by being on the ballot.
Angelina Cruz (D-Racine)
Angelina Cruz is a progressive candidate for AD 62, which covers parts of the City of Racine and Villages of Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, North Bay, and Wind Point. Her campaign facebook page Angelina Cruz for WI Assembly District 62 Cruz states she is a public school educator and labor leader who is ready to build back a WI for all. I contacted her office on May 26th, 2024.
Scott Kinderman (D-Mt. Pleasant)
Scott Kinderman announced on May 22 that he was suspending his campaign essentially giving the seat to Cruz unless a Republican challenger steps forward real soon or another Democrat candidate is planning something surprise at the last hour.
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.