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Politics & Government

Primary Election Preview: U.S. Congress, 6th District

Veteran U.S. Rep. Tom Petri challenged by newcomer Lauren Stephens in Republican primary race on Tuesday, while Democrat Joe Kallas is unopposed.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect a correction. Lauren Stephens does not yet have a degree in public adminstration — though she is pursuing such education.

Veteran U.S. Rep. Tom Petri is facing a Republican primary challenge from Lauren Stephens Tuesday in the 6th Congressional District, which — because of redistricting — now includes Port Washington and Saukville.

The two communities had been part of the 5th District and were represented by U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, but after the 2010 Census, the boundaries were redrawn and all of Ozaukee County is now in the 6th District (see map).

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Democrat Joe Kallas also will be on Tuesday's ballot, but is unopposed.

Petri has served the 6th District for more than three decades, having first been elected in 1979. He is a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforces, and its Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. He is also a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and is chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee and a member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

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Stephens is a professional power of attorney, representing disadvantaged persons in family court. She is working towards a degree in public administration with a focus on government, ethics and change management. Stephens is also the former executive director of the Conservative Wisconsin PAC, which she founded in 2011.

Patch spoke with both GOP candidates about the issues in the race.

U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (inc.)

Petri disagreed with allegations that he is not “conservative enough” for the 6th District and added that he has been diligent to the district by holding meetings (71 in the last term) and maintaining a 99 percent-plus voting record in Congress.

“I know not everyone will agree with every one of my 1,500 votes, but I hope they look at the whole picture,” he said.

He added that the biggest issue facing the district is the same one facing the nation: Correcting the unstable budget path and unyielding spending in Washington, D.C.

He said that his votes to end unnecessary spending and for U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s "Roadmap for America" bill are working to stop the spending which will lower taxes and help create jobs. 

Another way to create jobs is Petri’s support of the Fox Wisconsin Heritage Parkway project. He said the Fox River was the first highway in our state, allowing Native Americans and our first settlers to move goods from Green Bay to Portage and the Mississippi River. He supported the effort to have the river named a Heritage Parkway after a bipartisan request from area state senators and representatives and the public. 

“This designation will lead to more tourism and bring jobs into the area,” Petri said.

Despite the that killed six people, Petri said he is against enacting more laws to restrict gun use.

“People who are inclined to violence are not going to be deterred by more laws,” he said. Instead, Petri would like to see the enforcement of criminal laws and detentions for gun crimes.

And the United States needs to maintain a strong military to deter our enemies from attaching us or our allies. He agrees that the Assad regime in Syria is bad and needs to be stopped from spreading into other areas, so it is in our interest to be involved so the Syrian issue doesn’t grow bigger or into the region.

Petri realizes he has served more than 32 years in the Congress, but feels his experience is an asset to the people of the 6th District.

Lauren Stephens

Stephens is running to dispel the notion that Petri is “conservative enough” for the district.

“Congressman Petri has never been challenged by a Republican since he first took office in 1979,” Stephens said. “I believe with the new redistricting, the district is much more conservative than ever and the people are looking for common sense leadership by someone who is actually looking out for the people, not special-interest donors.”

Among the issues Stephens finds important to the people of the 6th District are the Fox Wisconsin Heritage Area and the future of the Social Security program. She also said constituents believe Petri is out of touch.

She promises to repeal any action that would give the Fox Wisconsin Parkway a National Heritage designation.

Stephens also promises to live in the state and remain in tune with what is going on in the district.

“Like most constituents, I am just a regular person with the same everyday problems that most of them face,” she said. “And despite the fact that I have no personal wealth, I have and will continue to refuse any and all special-interest money.”

As for Social Security, Stephens says she stands with seniors and wants to bring the program back to what it originally was intended to do — provide supplementary income in retirement.

“Social Security has become a huge polluted mess that is underfunded and is pay out money into many programs that should never (have) been part of the nation’s retirement system,” Stephens said. “I believe the main problem with these programs (Social Security, Medicare, etc.) is that they are underfunded because there are so many people out of work who are not paying into the system and we have millions of illegal aliens who are working and are not paying into the system.

She points to Title IV-D of Social Security, which oversees child support enforcement and which she describes as creating “a huge entitlement environment by pitting parents against each other.

“The federal government has no business interfering in the rights of parents and their children," Stephens said.

She is willing to look at Ryan’s plan for Social Security and the budget, and any others who have a viable solution to the problems.

Stephens firmly believes that gun ownership and rights are a federal issue and should not be a patchwork of laws at the state and local level. She believes more education is needed on how people are legally allowed to protect themselves is necessary and not more gun restrictions in light of recent tragedies.

On the international level, recently President Obama sent “advisers” into Syria to help the rebels. Stephens feels the carnage in Syria, where approximately 10,000 civilian non-combatants have died, is unacceptable since she is pro-life.

She sees the United States’ proper role in Syria is to use diplomatic measures and sanctions to put pressure on both sides and to avoid killing civilians.

“The United States should not be escalating the conflict in Syria by supporting either side by providing financial, strategic or military support. Let’s all remember that President Obama ran on an anti-war platform and yet, he has engaged in numerous military efforts during his presidency, many of which appear to be unconstitutional.”

She added that, for the record, she is absolutely 100 percent pro-military, 100 percent pro-defense and is proud to trace ancestors back to serving in the American Revolution.

As for why voters should elect her and not the incumbent on Tuesday, Stephens points to Petri’s use of hundreds of thousands of dollars from unions and special-interest groups as the number one reason.

“I will pay my own way back and forth to work in Washington and not bill the taxpayers for that on top of the already generous salary that Congress is paid,” she said. “I pledge to open several district offices to make access much easier for constituents to get the help they need. These are items that have gained me a great deal of respect by people of all parties.”

The winner of the Republican primary on Tuesday will face Kallas on Nov. 6.

Candidate biographies

Patch asked each candidate to complete a biographical questionnaire for voters.

Tom Petri (R) - Did not respond

Lauren Stephens (R) - Did not respond

Joe Kallas (D) - Did not respond

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