Three Republican candidates: It's crunch time in the campaign to replace Glenn Grothman in state Senate
MADISON (WITI) -- A special election to replace Glenn Grothman in the Wisconsin State Senate has turned into a three-way race, and it's crunch time in the campaign.
The 20th Senate District is north of Milwaukee. It stretches across parts of Ozaukee County, Sheboygan County, Dodge County, Fond du Lac County and Washington County -- and it is here that the fate of Governor Scott Walker's agenda could be determined, and the hot-button issue of "Right-to-Work" could find a deciding vote.
The Senate seat is currently vacant. It was held for a decade by Glenn Grothman, who was elected to Congress last year.
Three candidates have emerged on the Republican side:
Duey Stroebel, a 55-year-old former member of the state Assembly and current real estate developer.
"We've gotten a lot done in the last four years, but there's more to do," Stroebel said.
Lee Schlenvogt, a 56-year-old dairy farmer and the Ozaukee County Board chairman.
"After running a dairy farm for 30-plus years, being in county and town for 25 years, I've gotten pretty good at budgets and numbers," Schlenvogt said.
Tiffany Koehler, a 45-year-old military veteran and self-employed consultant for non-profit organizations.
"Too many in Madison believe that we should be working for them instead of the government working for us," Koehler said.
The candidates, all conservative Republicans, agree on many of the big issues. Schlenvogt has outraised and outspent the other two candidates combined, but perhaps the biggest challenge the winner will face is dealing with how the state spends its money -- Governor Walker's budget.
On proposed $300 million in cuts to the UW System:
"We have to be very careful about where we do the cuts -- if cuts are necessary-- to maintain a decent budget, because we need to have lower taxes in Wisconsin," Schlenvogt said.
"I'm pretty convinced that there's some fat and there's some cutting that can take place in the University System," Stroebel said.
"I don't really believe that the UW System will suffer very much," Koehler said.
On the statewide expansion of the School Choice program:
"I fully support lifting that cap," Stroebel said.
"Not only parents in the Milwaukee or Racine are, but parents across the state should have that option," Koehler said.
"My biggest concern is when government goes into private schools, they might someday -- not now -- could be a government overreach to remove prayer from school," Schlenvogt said.
On Right-to-Work:
"I am a supporter of Right-to-Work," Koehler said.
"Nobody should have to join anything to work anywhere," Schlenvogt said.
"I'm a strong supporter of Right-to-Work," Stroebel said.
The Primary Election is February 17th, and the General Election is April 7th. Because there is no Democrat in this race, the primary will choose the next senator.