Can Rep. Steve Doyle defend his turf AD94
The Assembly District 94 as a result of redistricting shifted slightly north to northwest. Depending on who you talk to, each has a different reason for why this is considered a toss up race. The note on district performance from WisPolitics is 53.6% Republican. Davesredistricting is 50.3% Democratic lean and the Projects.cnalysis shows this race as a toss up. The current Incumbent is Rep. Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska) and he is running for re-election to the La Crosse County Board in April 2024 so it is somewhat safe to assume he will be running for re-election to the State Assembly again in 2024.
Political History
La Crosse County Board, 1986–present (chair, 2002–11).
Elected to Assembly in May 2011 special election. Reelected since 2012.
Leadership positions: Minority Caucus Vice Chair 2019, 2017.
Election History
2022: 51.3% of the vote to defeat Ryan Huebsch (R)
2020: 52.4% of the vote to defeat Kevin Hoyer(R)
2018: 60.2% of the vote to defeat Albert Rohland (R)
2016: 52.63% of the vote to defeat Julian Bradley (R)
2014: 54.1% of the vote to defeat Tracie Happel (R)
2012: 60.6% of the vote to defeat Bruce Evers (R)
What about cannabis reform?
So in working on reform and election coverage over the years we wondered why Rep. Doyle had not been more supportive of adult use recreational marijuana reform. A few news articles about Rep. Doyle and marijuana reform in his area led me to write an op-ed piece entitled “Did Doyle Dump Cannabis Reform?“
In all fairness, we do believe he supports medical marijuana, as Rep. Doyle was a past co-sponsor of the medical marijuana bill in 2017, but since than he has been missing as a co-sponsor for recreational marijuana efforts. It seems the voters in the area care about cannabis and enthusiastically voted 63% in favor of legal pot. The La Crosse County 2018 referendum results echoed the voices of many other referendums favoring legalization.
In 2021 Congressman Ron Kind (D) retires and who jumps into the primary race right away asking for your votes? Incumbents who are missing in action as elected officials. Doyles name was circulated around as a possible candidate which promoted me to write an article basically saying Doyle wants your vote, but is MIA on legalization.
In his September 2022 candidate interview Doyle states he has always been in favor of medical marijuana but is less enthusiastic about recreational marijuana, but referendums in his district show that is what the people want so he would support it based of that.
More recently, Doyle has this to say about marijuana in an interview on January 4th, 2024 with La Crosse Talk PM.
Money
An article from a joint publication between Ballotpedia and Transparency USA on Sept 7, 2022 entitled Steve Doyle spent more than any other Democratic Assembly candidate or officeholder in Wisconsin revealed that Wisconsin Democratic Assembly candidates and officeholders have spent $1.4 million during the 2022 election cycle. Among state representatives and candidates, Steve Doyle has spent more than any other Democrat.
Doyle is the representative for Wisconsin Assembly District 94 and is running for re-election in 2022. Doyle raised $662,798 and spent $130,155 between Jan. 1, 2021, and July 25, 2022, According to Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
Election Time
August 13, 2024: Fall primary
November 5, 2024: Fall general election
I do not think it is ever to early to start thinking about the next election. The 2024 Wisconsin State Election is extremely important for marijuana reform and I will continue to bring you election coverage as more candidates make their political moves.
