Appleton State Representative Will Challenge Mike Ellis For His Senate Seat

By

State Rep. Penny Bernard-Schaber, D-Appleton, has announced that she will challenge Senate President Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, for his seat.

Bernard-Schaber will have to give up her Assembly seat to challenge the longtime lawmaker Ellis. Bernard-Schaber was a physical therapist before she was elected to the Assembly in 2008. Ellis is a former teacher who was first elected to the Assembly in 1970 and to the Senate in 1983.

Bernard-Schaber says Ellis has not been representing his district well. She contends three positions Ellis took this year were out of step with the views of his constituents: voting for the mining bill, voting for school voucher expansion, and declining federal funds for Medicaid.

Stay informed on the latest news

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Ellis did not respond to a request for an interview yesterday. Beyond name recognition, he has a financial advantage in this race, at least in the early going. Ellis has more than $140,000 sitting in a campaign account, mostly because nobody has challenged him in years. Bernard-Schaber reported less than $30,000 in the bank.

Republicans hold an 18-15 majority in the Senate going into next year’s elections. Democrats view this seat as one of their top two or three best chances at pickups in 2014.

Support your connection to lifelong learning! Give now.