A former small-city mayor is waging an independent conservative campaign for the Wisconsin seat in Congress now represented by two-term Democrat Steve Kagen.
Joseph Stern recently filed papers with the Federal Election Commission to begin a campaign in the 8th District, which includes Green Bay and most of Appleton. In April, he ended a four-year run as mayor of Niagara, a city of about 2,000 residents across the Menominee River from Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Stern's statement of organization lists his party affiliation as Republican, though he's running as an independent. He's concerned about deficit spending, including the large trade deficits that he says are linked to the decline of manufacturing jobs in this country.
He criticized the health care bill the House narrowly passed last weekend and said it would entail "spending another trillion dollars that we don't have that we're going to borrow from China." He said the tax credit for first-time homebuyers and the "cash for clunkers" auto trade-in program have been very costly.
Several Republicans are seeking the party nomination, including Reid Ribble, a roofing contractor whose campaign has been promoted by party officials in Washington. Stern referred to an "anointing" of Ribble by GOP officials.
"I think they have demonstrated that they're going to back Mr. Ribble, which is certainly their prerogative, but I think they jumped the gun and I think they're putting far too much emphasis on fundraising," Stern said.
"There's going to be a serious backlash this year, and I hope I'm positioned to take advantage of it," he said.
CQ Politics at the moment rates the race as Leans Democratic, which gives Kagen a slight edge in a race that should be highly competitive.
To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map.
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