Free Republic

Kleczka won't run again Decision certain to create election free-for-all By DAVE UMHOEFER dumhoefer@journalsentinel.com Posted: Jan. 24, 2004 Just shy of 20 years on the job, Milwaukee congressman Jerry Kleczka is contacting friends today with a stunning message: He's calling it quits at year's end. Calling It A Career Photo/Jack Orton You can go out feet first, and that's not my desire, or you can say, 'I think we've served with distinction, and this is the time to go home and seek a new challenge.' - Rep. Jerry Kleczka, on his decision Photo/File Rep. Jerry Kleczka (D-Wis.) holds his sheltie,...

Help from the bullpen Now that he has a whole lot of time on his hands, ousted Milwaukee Brewers President Ulice Payne Jr. has found something new to promote: The mayoral candidacy of Sheriff David Clarke Jr. Payne, who has been keeping a low public profile since his soap-opera dismissal as boss of the Brew Crew, will emcee a Clarke fund-raiser next week. The campaign hopes this gala at the Italian Community Center, featuring ex-congressman J.C. Watts, will be a biggie, as some 10,000 invitations were sent out. The minimum donation is $25, though fat cats who cough up a...

Finley, others say sheriff is best candidate for the next Milwaukee mayor Waukesha - Some of the biggest names in Waukesha County Republican politics are backing Milwaukee mayoral candidate David A. Clarke Jr. - regardless of what party label he wears. Waukesha County Executive Dan Finley, county GOP Chairman Don Taylor and others toasted Clarke and opened their pocketbooks during a fund-raiser for his campaign Wednesday at a Waukesha hotel. For those supporters, the fact that Clarke is a declared Democrat seems to matter very little. "I absolutely believe he's the best choice for mayor of Milwaukee," Finley said Thursday....

Conventional wisdom is right - it's a three-way race for Milwaukee mayor. Tom Barrett. David Clarke. Undecided. A new poll paid for by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce found that 29% of city voters plan to vote for Barrett, a longtime north side congressman and failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Another 24% said they'll go for Clarke, the county sheriff who went from being just another cop to a conservative media darling in less than two years. Election 2004 Mayoral Race Election 2004 In third place at 21% are the I-don't-knows - those who couldn't find anybody they like out...

Names of the four US Marines who died in yesterday's helicopter crash: Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, of Waterville, Maine Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, 30, of Bloomington, Ill. Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, of Houston, Texas Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Watersbey, 29, of Baltimore, Md. The Pentagon has just released the names of two more US Marines who were killed in Iraq. I'll post as soon as I find that.