AD 91: Emerson (D) vs Skinner (R)
The new maps for Assembly District 91 chase away the drawn in Republican Incumbent Karen Hurd to the 69th District. The 69th District is a safe place for a Republican for sure, but Hurd will probably face a primary challenger and two Independents also filed for that race. The 91st Assembly is not drawing that much attention and it seems only one new comer to the Republican field will even attempt to defeat the Democratic Incumbent Jodi Emerson.
Assembly District 91 starts on the East Side of the City of Eau Claire and includes Altoona, Fall Creek, Ludington, Wilson, Augusta and Fairchild areas of Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties. This district does lean Democrat and that is probably why the new maps chased the Republican Incumbent Hurd away.
The Eau Claire area has again and again proven itself friendly to cannabis. In 2021 the County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution for the state to legalize cannabis. Referendums in the area continually passed with high support and Eau Claire has the $1 fine ordinance in place for simple cannabis possession.
There are about 29 out of 99 Assembly Districts to watch in the 2024 Fall General Election. Many more if you count primary battles, but in reality, those 29 seats are labeled as competitive by some standard. There are about 11 of them to really keep a close eye on because the outcome is very uncertain for either party.
I think the Democrats are going to easily get 42 seats and take another 4 of these more competitive seats with a good chance to take a majority of the remaining. I think the Republicans are easily going to take 46 seats and have their eyes on taking another 7. Those 11 seats are really important and fortunately this article is about Assembly District 91, which is one of the 29 and is also one of the eleven.
The Democrat Incumbent
Jodi Emerson (D – Eau Claire)
As a freshman Democrat in the Assembly, Rep. Emerson stood out as a sponsor of the Adult Use/Medical combination bill we know as “Legalize Marijuana – Legalize Opportunity”. She also sponsored the Decriminalization bill that entered the legislation session late this year.
During her 2nd and 3rd terms in office she duplicated her efforts and again co-sponsored Adult Use Marijuana legislation in 2021-22. She continues to be a leader on the issue in her community and in Madison.
Please follow her campaign facebook page Emerson for Assembly and visit her campaign website for more information and ways to get involved with her campaign for re-election.
The Republican Challenger
Michele Magadance-Skinner (R – Altoona)
Skinner’s career experience includes working in the journalism field at TV-13 in Wisconsin. She also has worked in journalism in Georgia and Minnesota. Additionally, her career experience includes owning a recruitment business in Eau Claire.
Just elected in April of 2024 to be on the Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors District 11. Contacted 6/2/2024.
Campaign Facebook Page contacted Oct 10
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 (Lean Dem +8) WisPolitics /2024 Assembly Races (54% Dem), Davesredistircing, PeoplesMaps, Ballotpedia
