60th District Duman Touts Job Growth as Step to Fixing Economy, Budget

• Editor's Note: This is one article in a series of profiles on the candidates running for the 60th Assembly District.

Democratic candidate for the 60th Assembly District Perry Duman said he thinks Gov. Scott Walker's Budget Repair Bill is a backwards way to fix the state.

"All you ever hear from the Republican (side is) 'cut taxes, cut spending,'" Duman said. But, there's two sides to a budget: expenses, and revenue.

"What we need to do is focus on growing the revenue," he said, adding that one great way to do that is to bring more jobs back to the District.

"By stimulating the economy, you raise your tax base," he said. "If we concentrate on that — getting people back to work — they’ll be buying (more)."

Duman is one of nine candidates vying for the 60th District position, and one of two Democrats. The primary election for the spot is Tuesday; the top Republican and top Democrat candidate will move on to a general election on May 3. The 60th Assembly District seat has been empty to become transportation secretary for Gov. Scott Walker.

Duman said while unemployment numbers in Wisconsin are hovering at 7 to 9 percent, the number of underemployed is much greater — at about 30 percent.

"Really the first, and primary thing, is bringing jobs back to the District," Duman said. "We’ve lost so many companies and so many jobs here."

Duman said Gov. Walker's budget bill focuses too much on cuts and is based on failed economic policies.

"I’ve read and studied a lot of economics and what this budget is based on is a 30- to 40-year-old failed policy," he said. "The most respected proponent of supply-side economics admitted that, 'My model was flawed, I made mistakes, I was wrong.'"

"You get what you pay for, and ... you cut and cut and cut, and at some point you (lose quality)," Duman said, adding its an unfortunate outlook on the future of a state where people are used to a very good quality of living.

Another way Duman believes Gov. Walker's budget goes in the "wrong direction," is education; something that once was great in Wisconsin, Duman said, will lose quality under the new legislation.

"(Education) has the best return on your investment," he said. "I totally support our teachers."

Duman said is also very strong on environmental policies, and opposes ideas proposed by Gov. Walker, such as easing regulations on pollution.

Perry Duman
"Really the first, and primary thing, is bringing jobs back to the District. We’ve lost so many companies and so many jobs here."
Educational/professional background: Graduated from Ozaukee High School, graduated with a bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, took computer science courses from the University of California-Berkeley, has worked in retail, the insurance business, and as a chief technical officer for Joe Boxer Corporation, currently works as a facilitator in a group home for developmentally disabled adults
Political background: Ran for 60th District position when Mark Gottlieb was elected, but has never held any other office
Family: Single
Age:  58
Address: 203 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington

Patch will have more coverage on candidates leading up to the elections. to find out more information about who will be on the ballot, as well as find links to other candidates' profiles.