Republicans have found a spoiler candidate to challenge Rep. Jennifer Shilling in this summer’s recall election, which would force a Democratic primary and extend the campaign by nearly a month.
James Smith, until recently a member of the La Crosse County GOP’s executive committee, says he is running as a protest candidate.
Smith, a regular fixture at local labor protests this spring where he held signs touting his support for Gov. Scott Walker, said he resigned his party leadership position Monday before announcing his candidacy. He said he does not plan on campaigning aggressively but wants to protest the recall process.
“I want to bring light on the issue that 22,000 signatures can pretty much overturn an election where even the loser got 40,000 votes,” he said Tuesday. The 25-year-old hospital technician said he had the idea to run last spring but discussed it recently with state party officials.
A letter addressed to “Fellow Conservative” and signed by Republican Party 3rd Congressional District chairwoman Maripat Krueger urges recipients to support James Smith’s protest candidacy. The letter, obtained by the Tribune, follows the same template as those sent last week in other senate districts.
Shilling’s campaign declined to comment Tuesday, but Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate issued a statement saying voters will be misled and confused by spoiler candidates, it will threaten democracy, and is a waste of money because it will cost counties money to hold primary elections.
Kapanke’s recall election is slated for July 12 unless a primary is necessary, in which case the general election would be pushed to Aug. 9.
Candidates hoping to get on the ballot have until Tuesday to gather 400 valid signatures on nomination papers.
The Tribune first reported on the spoiler strategy last week after obtaining a secret recording of a La Crosse County GOP meeting in which party leaders discussed finding a candidate to run against Shilling, who is challenging La Crosse Sen. Dan Kapanke.
Full Article: Former county GOP leader to challenge Shilling as Democrat.