Bruce Nopenz, the Dist. 22 county supervisor candidate removed from the April 3 ballot by a ruling of the Wisconsin Elections Commission earlier this week has decided to run a write-in candidacy.
Nopenz announced his write-in candidacy via a news release posted on his candidate Facebook page.
The Dist. 22 incumbent, Erin Decker, filed a nomination paper challenge complaint with Kenosha County Clerk Mary Kubicki, alleging Nopenz failed to file the required number of valid nomination signatures. Kubicki ruled in Nopenz’ favor. Decker brought a complaint against that ruling to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, which ultimately agreed with Decker and said Nopenz should be removed from the ballot.
“While I am disappointed in the WEC’s ruling, this will not stop me from running and giving voters a choice,” Nopenz said.
In Wisconsin, write-in candidates have to register in order to have their votes counted on Election Day.
Asked for comment on Nopenz’s candidacy, Decker said in part: “I am going to continue working for the residents of the 22nd district as I have been since a I was first elected.”
Small town politics. Isn’t it awesome? I wonder how many of these small town politicians are sitting around in the local bars or their friends garages, sucking down beers and trying to figure out what’s best for the “whole”. No..they’re all putting together plans to help their “buddies”. Small town politicians run on the “buddy” system.
There is no small town politics in this instance. A basic form was not completed correctly or fully. Each candidate in the state fills out the same form. Apparently, the others can fill out a form because their names are printed on the ballot.
When it comes to running for office, the decision usually does come during a conversation with close friends and family in casual environments. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
The only person who failed here is one Nopenz. It wasn’t Decker who DID fill out her forms correctly. It wasn’t any of the 7 running for Village offices and some of those are new to the political game who managed to complete their forms correctly.
I don’t understand why he didn’t get the maximum signatures instead of running lean. Maybe he couldn’t get more?
I also don’t understand why he wouldn’t check and double check and check again when he knows, or should know, that this is a very important document and one that gets a lot of scrutiny. This is not the first time that he has had to complete these forms. Maybe he didn’t complete them correctly, but none of his competition looked at them? Or, maybe a clerk at the time, allowed them thru even if incomplete? My point here is that there is only one to blame.
Personally, I think it shows a lacking, not of a ‘buddy’ system but of Nopenz himself. This is a document that he must complete and must sign and is the first official document for this elected office. To not complete it when it is so simple to complete, is not political. The error shows inattention. It is lack of respect for the rules. Shows a complacency. It is lack of respect for the position being sought.
It isn’t political at all. It illustrates for us that we should be concerned about future reviews of laws that will affect us all. I don’t like the thought that speed reading will be involved and the “i”s and “t”s aren’t dotted and crossed each time..
This is not small town politics at work. This is big time. Important. I am glad that Erin Decker knows the rules. Knows them better that the County Clerk apparently and acted. Yes, that is awesome!
To those people who signed a document which had empty lines on it – what were you thinking?
Matt: You seem to make it so simple. This is just a case of someone not wanting any opposition. The recent decision is a victory for giving all of us a choice at election time. Let the discussion on the county board dictate who wins.