Dodge County

Republican Todd Menzel (Campaign Facebook Page) of Columbus has announced that he is running for the 13th State Senate District seat.

Menzel is a business owner with 20 years of leadership experience, serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Menzel Enterprises, Inc. He says he is seeking office because he has real-life experience as an entrepreneur, rather than a longtime politician, to negotiate and bring common-sense solutions to Wisconsin. Campaign focuses will include the economy, helping small businesses, workforce development, education, police training and transportation.

My initial chat with Todd Menzel about cannabis reform and adult use legislation was positive, his immediate response was “Makes sense. The time has come.” Mr. Menzel complete the 2020 Candidate Questionnaire and I have published that below.

Can you imagine if Wisconsin replaces outgoing prohibitionist Senator Scott Fitzgerald with someone who supports legalizing marijuana for responsible adults? I can.

Give the Campaign of Facebook Page of Todd Menzel a like/share, visit his website at todd-menzel.com for more information.

2020 Candidate Questionnaire

Do you currently or have you previously held public office? (Required)*

No

Over three dozen US states and territories, not including Wisconsin, are regulating marijuana for medical and/or adult-use, despite marijuana’s federal illegality. Ending federal prohibition would alleviate the tension between these states and the US government and allow states to set their own policies free from federal interference. Do you support or oppose ending the federal prohibition of marijuana?

Support

Please provide a position statement regarding legalizing the medical use of marijuana.

The time has come to legalize medical cannabis. For the health and wellness of our population, we must realize the benefits for so many families across Wisconsin. For far too long Wisconsinites have suffered from chronic pain while we have a natural source of medicine right in front of our eyes. By legalizing medical cannabis Wisconsin will generate revenues that will be utilized to better serve our State’s needs as it pertains to infrastructure, education, property tax relief and more. Now is the time to command a better tomorrow for all of those who may benefit from a natural pain relief.

Do you support or oppose decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana?

Support

Please provide a position statement regarding decriminalizing the simple possession of marijuana.

Similar to prohibition we are in an era of time that requires law makers to bring forth a common sense solution. By decriminalizing the possession of marijuana our police resources can better serve our communities through being tough on crime and our justice system will not be overwhelmed with these type of cases.

The prohibition of marijuana allows for the disproportionate criminalization of black and brown Wisconsinites, despite similar rates of consumption across all races and ethnicities. The impacts of marijuana criminalization are far reaching and include long-lasting collateral consequences well beyond the criminal charge. Do you support the automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions?

Yes

Please provide a position statement regarding automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana possession convictions.

I support the expungement of non violent convictions as long as the convicted has followed all court orders, community service, paid fines and fulfilled the conviction requirements as written in their case. Good people make mistakes. As Alfred told Bruce Wayne, “Why do we fall? To learn to pick ourselves back up!” As people we pick ourselves up and move forward. Our decision to correct the fall for the future displays integrity.

Legalizing the responsible adult-use of marijuana provides states the opportunity to take marijuana off the street corner and place it behind an age-verified counter to better provide for consumer and public safety and prevent youth access. Taxing and regulating the adult-use of marijuana also provides economic stimulus through job creation and tax revenue. Do you support or oppose legalizing and regulating the responsible use of marijuana by adults?

Support

Please provide a position statement regarding legalizing and regulating the responsible use of marijuana by adults.

By legalizing and regulating responsible use of marijuana Wisconsin will generate revenues that will be utilized to better serve our State’s needs as it pertains to infrastructure, education property tax relief and more. Regulation must be well thought out in order to take marijuana off of street corners. Thousands of good paying jobs would be created and ultimately filled by marijuana consumers! From growing plants to retail sales we can tap into a whole new industry where many expunged individuals may thrive in a business of opportunity.

Republicans hold a 20-12 majority in the Senate with this one vacancy.

The Republicans will have a primary election scheduled for February 16th, 2021. Todd Menzel will face former Assembly Rep. Don Pridemore and current Assembly Rep. John Jagler.

The district includes parts of northeast Dane County, Northern Jefferson County and much of Dodge County.

After the primary is decided on Feb 16th, the special election for Senate District 13 will be held on April 6th, 2021, coinciding with the statewide 2021 spring election.