RandyMelchert.com

GAB gives you his info – the challenger is from Butler, and he’s 19.

The Stevens Point Journal reports:

Klein, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is running for the 24th Assembly District, northwest of Milwaukee.

His candidacy is an uphill battle all the way, and Klein admits it will be tough. He is running against an incumbent, albeit one who is finishing up his first term. He is a Democrat running in a conservative-leaning district. By attending UWSP this spring, he will be living out of the district, although he said he could transfer to a school closer to the district if things are going well in the fall…

Miller said Klein’s two biggest challenges are facing an incumbent and raising enough money to defeat one. Incumbents, especially at the state level, typically must spend far less money to keep a seat than a challenger must to win one.

Dan Knodl, the district’s incumbent assemblyman, is a 48-year-old businessman with plenty of ties in the community. He is a member of a number of area organizations and served as a Washington County supervisor for two years before being elected to the Assembly in 2008. Knodl did not return a call for comment.

His war chest is small, with about $1,000 raised since he filed his papers about a month ago….

“Traditionally, state assembly campaigns take about $100,000,” Klein said. “We intend to raise $150,000.”

Klein also plans to spend the summer canvassing the district. Once classes end in May, the real work will begin, and he plans to knock on at least 15,000 doors twice. He will share his experience — having been involved in liberal politics in the state since the age of 14, serving in Amnesty International, the Gay-Straight Alliance and the American Civil Liberties Union, along with his current work with the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group — along with his big issues — transportation, health care and education….

“I think the most serious thing you can do is meet a person,” he said. “If a candidate comes to my door, the first thing that’s going to hit me is their appearance. But you can learn a lot about them in that first five minutes.”

Let’s do a math check:

15,000 doors, times 2 visits to each door, times five minutes, that’s 150,000 minutes or 2,500 hours.

The UW-Stevens Point calendar leaves May 21 through September 2 for summer campaigning, or 104 days.

2,500 hours divided by 104 days gives you 24 hours, 2 minutes, and 18.46 seconds each day of canvassing. You’ll get behind quickly

I’ll be watching 34 races tonight – let me know if you’re watching any others:

1) Menomonee Falls Trustee 4 – Results – Ward by Ward

Look for my comments on this race in the next Menomonee Falls Express News…

2) West Bend School Board – Results

3) West Bend Alderman 3 – Results

4) Brookfield Mayor -Results

BTW – Steve Ponto has the coolest logo in Brookfield:

maryr: Monday Feb 15, 2010 11:59 PM
Mr. Klumb: FYI The owner of the hotel on Main Street did put alot of money in it and had some awesome plans for it. Just one problem…..the MF leadership shook him down for cash and just about left him for broke. (You probably already knew that since you’re buddies with them.) After all, you know which side your bread is buttered on. That’s why you went to the “dark side”.

Ted Klumb: Tuesday Feb 16, 2010 8:41 AM
“Which side your bread is buttered…” That is a Davis cliche if I ever heard one.

So, maryr, are you accusing me of conspiring to extort money from the hotel developer? If you are, I want to start court action immediately against you. Unlike some others in the community, I value my good reputation to the point of fighting to maintain it. I have the means, ability, and desire to make you legally pay for that accusation even if it means a judgment against you and you must pay me $.05 for every dollar you make for the rest of your life. You either confirm your accusation, or retract it immediately. If there really is a maryr, I look forward to meeting and beating you in court.

maryr: Tuesday Feb 16, 2010 6:03 PM
Mr. Klumb: My response was not about you, never was. I’m sorry you twisted/interpreted it that way. Bullying is not my style, evidently it is yours. Citizens of Menomonee Falls should not have to put up with this type of behavior by others in this Village. Anger management would be a suggestion for you.

Ted Klumb: Tuesday Feb 16, 2010 6:28 PM
Unacceptable!

You retract and apologize before midnight.

I have already consulted with a counsel and you have admitted to knowledge of a felony and have wrongly implicated me. One is a felony and the other is a civil offense against me.

Unless you have reported said felony you are an accessory to extortion. This will be reported to the District Attorney of Waukesha County by 8am Wed. unless you retract your accusation against everyone you implicated