Gearing up for August: Wisconsin GAB approves candidates for primary election

MADISON (WITI) -- The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board has okayed a former prisoner, a protester and a prankster to be on the ballot for Wisconsin's primary election in August. The GAB heard challenges to various candidates, allowed two challenges to sitting members of Congress -- and gave the green light for a Democratic primary.

Withstanding a challenge to his nomination signatures at a GAB hearing, Rep. Brett Hulsey (D-Madison) will challenge front-runner Mary Burke for the Democratic nomination for governor.

"I intend to defeat Mary Burke. I want to bring democracy back to Wisconsin by giving people a choice," Hulsey said.

UW-Milwaukee Professor of Governmental Affairs Mordecai Lee says the primary could be good for the heavily-favored Burke.

"For Mary Burke, Hulsey getting on the ballot is actually good news, and it's good news because it gives her campaign a kind of a dry run," Lee said.

The GAB also rejected challenges to former state Senator Gary George's signatures -- meaning the convicted felon will challenge Gwen Moore for Congress.

"In his own mind, he can construct a scenario whereby he wins or restores his credibility," Lee said.

The GAB also gave the green light to Jeremy Ryan's candidacy in the race for the 1st Congressional District.

In that race, it will be Paul Ryan vs. Jeremy Ryan -- the latter only running to confuse voters because he has the same last name as the powerful sitting Congressman.

"It's not so much a situation of deliberate sabotage, but it's almost like a prankster. It's almost like somebody making fun of the system," Lee said.

Jeremy Ryan, known in Madison as "Segway Jeremy" because of his ever-present personal transporter, has been a vocal protester since the uprising over Act 10.

Lee says Jeremy Ryan's candidacy could impact another high-profile race.

Wisconsin voters can only participate in one party's primary. If Republican voters are compelled to protect Paul Ryan in his primary, that prevents them from voting on the Democratic side.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is a conservative favorite, but runs as a Democrat.

"If some primary voters who would normally vote for Sheriff Clarke, are stuck on the Republican side of the ballot because they want to vote for Congressman Ryan, that's one less vote that Sheriff Clarke gets, and that makes the primary challenge to Sheriff Clarke all the more competitive," Lee said.

Whether you call them "ballot busters" or legitimate contenders, all three candidates will be on the ballot for the primary election on August 12th.