Polls are open, voting underway in state’s spring primary election

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Tuesday, February 19th is Primary Election Day in Wisconsin, and there is one major race statewide and a few smaller races in both Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties.

The major statewide race is the primary for State Supreme Court. Marquette professor Ed Fallone and attorney Vince Megna are challenging incumbent Justice Pat Roggensack for a 10-year term.

"You try to seek common ground and you always focus on the institution's interests ahead of your own personal interest," Ed Fallone said.

"We've got to lighten up. I want the courtroom to become friendly with each other. I want them to work as a team of seven," Vince Megna said.

In Waukesha County the focus is on the five Republicans running in the 98th Assembly District.

The race began in the 98th Assembly District when Paul Farrow won his bid for state Senate.

Five candidates hope to replace him, including Jeanne Tarantino, who says her experience working for Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch makes her the best fit.

“I will be ready, job-ready on Day One. I can jump in the budget. I already know what’s going on with the governor’s budget because I worked in the administration for two years already,” Tarantino said.

Adam Neylon also touts his political experience, having worked with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner. He now owns a commercial window cleaning business and calls himself the most conservative candidate.

“At the end of the day, I’m the conservative that people can trust to vote like a conservative and I won’t take moderate positions on things like immigration or voter fraud or education,” Neylon said.

Long-time Pewaukee Police Chief Ed Baumann boasts plenty of civic experiences. He was unavailable for an interview due to a family medical emergency.

A pair of political newcomers round out the race with Todd Greenwald, whose background is in construction and Matt Morzy, a stock broker and Marquette grad student.

“When you have someone younger like myself and someone who hasn’t been working in Madison for their career, you have someone who knows how the real world really works,” Morzy said.

“I don’t think it’s always about having the right political connection and being streamlined and ready to go. I think it’s more about sometimes taking a step back, looking at the process, and fully analyzing it,” Greenwald said.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.