A Stevens Point native wants Dave Obey’s seat in Congress. Democratic state Senator Julie Lassa says she’s qualified for the job. “My record working on economic development, on government accountability and transparency issues, helping to save taxpayers money and focusing on those issues that are really of concern to working families, really makes me a good candidate for congress,” said Lassa.
Lassa made economic recovery her top priority when she launched her campaign this week. But Republicans criticize her for allowing 175-thousand jobs to disappear. “They (voters) can decide whether or not it was the Wisconsin state legislature who were the cause for this national and global recession,” said Lassa. Lassa, who chairs the Senate economic development committee, pointed to the just signed CORE Jobs Act that she helped write as an example of how she’s worked to add jobs. “That is a comprehensive economic development and job creation package that focuses on helping our current businesses in Wisconsin weather this recession, and helping them to grow and expand in the future,” Lassa said
Lassa will face the winner of a Republican primary in September between Ashland County district attorney Sean Duffy and Rudolph farmer Dan Mielke. Lassa suggested that Obey will not actively campaign for her. “I believe that each candidate has to stand on their own merits,” she said. Lassa addressed the fact that here name recognition doesn’t extend too far beyond her state Senate district: “I believe that the issues that so many people in central Wisconsin are facing in their own lives are the sames issues and concerns that people in north central Wisconsin are facing.”
Matt Lehman, WSAU (:40 MP3) AUDIO: Matt Lehman reports (:40 MP3)