Republican Chad Lee, in photo at left, faces Democrat Mark Pocan, right.
BELOIT -- Two candidates, both touting their resumes as small business owners, will square off in the Nov. 6 general election for the Congressional seat in Wisconsin's 2nd District. The seat is being vacated by six-term Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who will face former Republican Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson in the Senate race to succeed retiring Sen. Herb Kohl.
One of the candidates, Mark Pocan, a Democrat from Madison, has served in the Wisconsin Legislature for the past 14 years -- representing the 78th Assembly district -- which Baldwin served prior to her election to the House of Representatives.
"I think it has less to do with (following) Tammy (Baldwin's) footsteps as it is that I come from a (legislative) district that is very politically active," Pocan said.
Pocan's opponent, Chad Lee, a Republican from Mount Horeb, is running for the seat a second time, having unsuccessfully challenged Baldwin in 2010.
"It definitely plays in our favor that we don't have a long-term Congressional opponent (this time)," Lee said. "We're building off of 2010, building off the name recognition and the relationships of the people in the communities and friends we've come in contact with."
Both Lee and Pocan recently were interviewed by the Stateline News.
What would you list as the top priority for the next Congress?
Lee: "I believe we need to get back to a balanced budget. My background is business ... and when you run a business you need to balance a budget or you go out of business. Along with a balanced budget I want to look at jobs and the economy. How do we fix it and how do we help businesses, particularly small business owners -- mom-and-pop shops -- feel confident?
Pocan: "The No. 1 thing that comes up when I'm traveling around the district is people talking about problems with access to health care and many times how the Affordable Care Act has helped them.
"Until we get the economy really rolling again, it's going to be hard to fundamentally address things like the deficit. I think having the small business background, It can really help me provide some unique perspectives to jumpstart the economy. That's what we need, simply giving certainty to the job creators -- they're not feeling that right now."
What do you think Congress should do to address the so-called fiscal cliff?
Lee: "We need to figure out a way to get back to a balanced budget, that's the first step. Some of the steps we can take to get there is getting rid of some of the waste, fraud and abuse in the system ... and also look at programs that are duplicate programs ... or are obsolete. They were created 50 to 60 years ago, maybe they've accomplished the goal they were set out to do, and they could be kind of sunset."
Pocan: "This Congress, like what they've done mostly for the last two years, is probably going to punt again, and not deal with the issue. The good news is it does provide some real opportunity because so many members of Congress, especially on the Republican side, have signed these taxpayer pledges; that they'll never, ever raise taxes. Because they're bound by that ... it really provides an opportunity for some of these tax breaks ... to sunset."
Besides the national issues being discussed in the presidential race, what are some of the specific issues within Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional District?
Lee: "The difference I see in 2012 compared to 2010, is there are a lot more shops out of business, there are a lot more empty spaces. When I talk to businesses that are still there, they're worried. The main concern they have is the red tape and regulations, and the new regulations being put on them, because it increases the cost of doing business."
Pocan: "The issues in many ways are similar (to the national debate), however, they may be magnified, especially in Rock County for example, when you talk about the unemployment rate in Janesville and Beloit being almost double the state rate. That really magnifies the need to create jobs, especially manufacturing jobs. If we can help jumpstart, especially where the loss is from GM, I think that's got to be a No. 1 priority."
With the recent attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya, has there been a heightened discussion on foreign policy within the 2nd Congressional race?
Lee: "It's a very big issue, which my opponent refuses to even talk about. In my opinion it is a 2nd District issue because it's an American issue, a national security issue. My personal perspective is that our military is spread too thin. We can't afford to send more troops to the Middle East and North Africa. I think it's time to bring as many troops home as possible and as quickly as possible."
Pocan: "They tried to have a debate on international issues and Chad (Lee) refused to go to it, so they didn't hold it, so we really haven't had much of an opportunity to have that discussion."
About the candidates
With the election just over two weeks away, Lee said he is a strong believer in, "The American Dream."
Lee said he worked to pay his way through college, and his wife, Jennifer, the second of five children, grew up in poverty and had to overcome tremendous obstacles to become successful in her career.
"That's what's so great about America," Lee said. "It doesn't matter what family, or situation, you were born into, you can go after your dream ... and have the opportunity -- you're not guaranteed -- but have the opportunity to succeed. I want to make sure we can continue to have that American dream in place."
Lee attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois where he earned a degree in business administration. Lee purchased his first real estate property at the age of 20, has worked in sales and marketing, and has an insurance license. Lee also founded, and later sold, a residential and commercial cleaning firm.
Pocan also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a bachelor's degree in journalism. Pocan, who owns a printing company, Budget Signs & Specialties, has 19 years of local and state government experience, having served five years on the Dane County Board prior to his election to the Wisconsin Legislature.
"I served on the Joint Committee on Finance for six years ... and was co-chair of that committee two sessions ago. I have a lot of practical experience in ... getting things done, working in a bipartisan way."
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