AD 39: Chris Gordon (D) vs Alex Dallman (R)

Located in central Wisconsin, Assembly District 39 comprises all of Green Lake and Marquette counties, along with much of western Fond du Lac County and parts of northeast Columbia County, southeast Winnebago County, and eastern Adams County. It includes the cities of Berlin, Green Lake, Markesan, Montello, Princeton, and Ripon. The district also contains Fox River National Wildlife Refuge, Summerton Bog, Ripon College and the historic Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon—the birthplace of the Republican Party.

This district is pretty red and is a solid seat for the Republicans.

Chris Gordon (D – Neshkoro)

Facebook Page Link, Website Link

Chris Gordon supports the legalization of cannabis for Wisconsin – source

The Ripon Commonwealth Express asked and reported on Oct 24th Do you support the legalization of cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes? 

Gordon: Across Wisconsin, people overwhelmingly support some form of legalization for cannabis. Wisconsinites support just and equitable cannabis policies to ease the burdens of people who would benefit from medical marijuana, spur economic growth, support farmers and bring needed tax revenue to our state. Neighboring states have realized strong successes with the legalization of cannabis. It’s time to follow their example and bring these benefits to the people of Wisconsin.

VS

Alex Dallman (R – Green Lake)

I put Dallman in the category now of opposed to any cannabis reform at all. Dallman ran unopposed in the 2022 general election.

Alex Dallman from Green Lake provided this stance as a candidate in 2020: “My current stance on Marijuana Reform would be against legalization of recreational use. I am also currently opposed to medicinal, but I am more open to exploring this side of it.” He added on the topic of decriminalization: “For simple possession of small amount, I am in favor.” 

Wi Eye interviewed Alex Dallman on July 9, 2020 ; in which Dallman added the “slippery slope” theory to his list opposition {editor note slippery slope and gateway theories are debunked and not backed by fact}, stating he is worried medical marijuana leads quickly to recreational marijuana”. Leary about adding a new drug (marijuana) into our society and our environment and hopefully we can stay away from that.

I spoke to Rep. Dallman on the phone for about 15 minutes back in 2021 to provide him background on the Republican attempts to decriminalize marijuana going back to the 2017 legislation. I asked him to co-sponsor Assembly Bill 130, the 2021 Republican version of marijuana decriminalization. He did not co-sponsor the bill.

In fact, he later went onto flip flop his stance on decriminalization saying to me that unless the Green Lake County Sheriff gives him the green light to vote yes, he will be a no vote on even simple decriminalization measures.

Dallman even had the audacity to stand by a few other Republicans when their PR stunt of their version of “medical marijuana” was introduced. Assembly Republicans could not must up real support for their crap bill, so they called in the stooges to stand by them and act like they care. In the article published on PBS, bill author Jon Plumer (R) introduced his bill and look who standing next to him, Dallman and fellow cannabis hater in the Republican Assembly William Penterman. Both Dallman and Penterman have been very outspoken about their support for prohibition and are not labeled friendly to the cause by citizens in their districts. Real republican friendlies working on legalization and decriminalization measures basically laugh when either the name Dallman and Penterman are brought up.

Alex Dallman has never co-sponsored any legislation to reform the marijuana laws in Wisconsin and has been an obstacle to any reform measures, even within this own party.

In the 2024 election season, Alex Dallman was harshly criticized by the largest newspaper in his district for not debating Gordon at the Ripon League of Women’s Voters. The editorial by newspaper owner Tim Lyke entitled Dallman, Grothman afraid to address League of Women Voters. The article is worth the read and Lyke slams Dallman again and again, saying: “Incumbents selfishly can argue that it is tactically unwise for them to appear before the public to answer public-policy questions, fearing such appearances risk raising the profile and visibility of their opponents, whom they would have to sit next to at the same event. 

But for the boy legislator to fire a spit wad in their direction? 

This suggests the League of Women Voters — founded in Chicago in 1920 by Ripon’s own Carrie Chapman Catt — must have something nefarious up its sleeve.”

The Ripon Commonwealth Express asked and reported on Oct 24th Do you support the legalization of cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes? 

Dallman: I support the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes because we currently have much more potent prescription medications on the market that have far worse side effects than cannabis. I am not in favor of full recreational at this time because I would like to continue learning about the positive and negative impacts that are occuring in other states around the country. This will allow Wisconsin to make the best decisions as to whether or not to implement the use of cannabis for medical or recreational purposes in Wisconsin.

Campaign Facebook Page and Website

In light of his recent statements, I have a hard time believing anything Dallman says and if re-elected, Dallman again will have a difficult time balancing the needs of his constituents and demands of his party.

Stay tuned and get active!

I will provide you additional 2024 Wisconsin State Election coverage throughout the campaign season. This next election is extremely important for marijuana reform and I will continue to bring you information as more candidates make their political moves.

In the event that we end up with divided government in the 2024-25 legislation session, the official formation of The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus would be a must first step towards reform. The official establishment of this Caucus will represent the growing, bipartisan support in Wisconsin.

Although session as ended we still urge you to contact your elected officials. The top four action alerts are still functionable on The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Action Network for you immediate use.

Sources: RPubs, CNanalysis (Solid Rep +33) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (68% Rep), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps, Ballotpedia