Last week former state Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford) announced he is running to replace state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau). Fitzgerald is running to replace Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner who is retiring at the end of his term.
Pridemore said in his press release that he is making education his top priority. He once ran a quixotic campaign for state superintendent for public instruction in 2013 in which he lost to current Gov. Tony Evers.
We hope Pridemore learned from his first time in public office. In an effort to avoid bad press, Pridemore actually created an enemies list of media figures, both on the left and the right, he would not talk to, including the current editor of RightWisconsin.
Ironically, at a time when conservatives are legitimately angry at the governor’s attempt to shut out the conservative media, Republicans may elect someone who wants to shut out any critical media.
Pridemore’s need for an enemies list was the result of taking positions that belonged to political cranks wearing tinfoil hats. For example, Pridemore actually supported the arrest of federal officials in Wisconsin implementing Obamacare.
A number of local Republicans have had nice things to say about Pridemore since his announced return to the campaign trail. While he may be a nice guy at the local Pints and Politics gatherings, voters in Wisconsin 13th Senate District deserve better representation.
Pridemore’s early announcement should not discourage a competitive primary in the district. His announcement highlights a desperate need for competition.