The upcoming August 13 Democratic primary unfolds a fierce contention between three aspirants vying for the district seat in the 14th Assembly; Brady Coulthard, Nathan R. Kieso, and Angelito Tenorio. The victor of this eager contest is set to joust with Republican Jim Engstrand, eagerly waiting at the other side of the ring for the November 5 general elections. Oddly enough, the current officeholder, Democrat Robyn Vining, has decided to partake in a wild chase for the 13th Assembly District seat, a move likely driven by new legislative maps directing her to the 13th district. The 14th Assembly District environs parts of West Allis, with the Milwaukee County line forming its western edge, carrying within it the unfolding drama of political race.
Let’s delve into the contestant’s profiles, beginning with Brady Coulthard. Based in Milwaukee, Coulthard has previously managed two Senate races in the state and served as the former vice-chair for the little-known College Democrats of Wisconsin. His community engagements underscore his membership with the Wisconsin Labor History Society and the Conrad Gardens Neighborhood Association. Quite fittingly, given his past experience, he owns a modest campaign consulting business.
The policies he parades on his campaign platforms seem to be the stock-standard Democrat rhetoric – increasing public school funding, reducing a supposedly present teacher deficiency in Wisconsin. Adding to the list of his ambitious plans, he wants to ensure community safety through responsible gun ownership – an unsettling thought considering how the Democrats seem to push for more restrictions on law-abiding citizens. The predictable Democrat policies don’t end here, with Coulthard also advocating for abortion access and increased health care options.
Nathan R. Kieso, the second Democrat hopeful on our list, dwells in West Allis. Unlike his co-contenders, Kieso lacks any notable political experience but seems engrossed in the local community. He maintains his position on the West Allis Capital Improvement Committee and has a role on the executive board of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council. In the pursuit of earning his daily bread, Kieso contributes to society as a mental health social worker at Whole Health Clinical Group.
Kieso’s campaign spotlights four key Democrats’ concerns – healthcare, workers’ rights, sustainable infrastructure, and public education. Never forgetting his aligning belief with the Democrats, he staunchly supports pro-union laws and aspires to enable Wisconsin students to reap the benefits of free technical and university education. Kieso also bears a flag in support of the controversial BadgerCare access expansion and promises quality long-term care for Wisconsin’s aged and dependent adults.
Finalizing the trio of candidates is Angelito Tenorio, hailing from West Allis. Tenorio has dipped his toes in the pool of politics before, as a former West Allis alderman. His unique flavor of community involvement lends itself to the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 2015-2018, serving and protecting but not in the political arena. His income comes from teaching, a noble profession yet one which is often a choice platform for promoting his apparently liberal ideologies.
Tenorio adds his voice to the Democrats’ strident calls for addressing environmental concerns and combatting climate change – a noteworthy fact considering how much of this is alarmist rhetoric rather than grounded in science. He employs his campaign web page as a platform to promote green union jobs, a puzzling concept since that would stir unnecessary competition with traditional jobs. Tenorio can’t help but support the Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin – a typical Democrat policy – alongside the reduction of class sizes and supposed enhancement of special education programs.
To sum up, all three candidates are couched comfortably in traditional Democrat policies, promising more than what is practical or sustainable. They seem keen to address an array of social issues, with little or no consideration for how much these ‘wish-list’ policies might cost the average Wisconsin taxpayer. Thereby highlighting a consistent flaw of Democrats: they promise much but fail to consider the overall economic impact.
Nonetheless, it’s worth mentioning that these three hopefuls are facing an uphill battle as they eventually square off against seasoned Republican Jim Engstrand in the November 5 general election. His experience and proven commitment to the entire spectrum of American society, not just the underprivileged or marginalized groups, make him a formidable contender.
After all, the policies of the Democratic party, embraced fully by the hopefuls, seem increasingly more focused on public spending, which often falls short in ensuring sustainable socio-economic development. Will they recognize this flaw in their approach in time to turn the tide in their favor?
It will be interesting to see where this battle leads, and how much of their grand promises can these candidates uphold if given the chance. It requires a much broader and balanced approach to government than just increasing spending and regulations, as the Democratic hopefuls propose.
With this primary race, the 14th Assembly District finds itself at a crossroads, aligning with traditional Democrat ideologies that have proven flawed in the past, or perhaps venturing into the secure grounds of Republican governance. Only time will tell which path the constituents choose.
In the span of these upcoming elections, residents of the 14th Assembly District will define their future direction. Will it be the road trodden by the fledgling Democrat candidates, adorned with high-tax, high-spending policies and masked in fanciful promises? Or will it be the path carved by the experienced Republican, Jim Engstrand, associated with individual freedom, personal responsibility, and economic stability?
The stage is set for an epic showdown, one that will consequently shape the future direction of the 14th Assembly District. As we gear up for the August 13 Democratic primary, one cannot help but ponder the scale of change we may encounter in the aftermath.
While this information regarding the contestants for the 14th Assembly District seat has been made public, voters are urged to consider the impacts of their choice carefully. While the Democrat contestants are undoubtedly passionate, they rest their claims on principles and policies that have a track record of inadequacy when it comes to long-term sustainability. Would they be the knights the district needs, or will that mantle lie with seasoned Republican Jim Engstrand? Let the best man win…
Wisconsin Democrat Hopefuls: All Promise, Little Practicality appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
