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Politics & Government

Primary Election Preview: Wisconsin State Assembly, 22nd District

State Rep. Don Pridemore faces businessman Nick Oliver in a heated race in Tuesday's Republican primary.

Considered one of state's more conservative lawmakers, state Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford) is facing a Republican primary challenge on Tuesday from Nick Oliver, a businessman who live in the Town of Colgate.

The race is in the redrawn 22nd Assembly District, which contains the communities of Erin, Lisbon, Lannon, Butler, and parts of Richfield, Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee.

Pridemore has served in Madison since 2005. Because of redistricting, he gave up his seat in the 99th District to run in the 22nd. He has been a solid backer of Gov. Scott Walker and voted in favor of Act 10 and other reforms of Gov. Scott Walker. That fact was not lost on Walker, who this week endorsed Pridemore for the party's nomination.

Find out what's happening in Menomonee Fallswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Oliver, a small business owner, has been an active member of the Washington County Republican Party for many years, having served as its secretary and vice chairman.

Patch spoke with both candidates to discuss the issues important to them and the 22nd Assembly District.

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State. Rep. Don Pridemore

Pridemore said the past 18 months have been the most exciting for him and he is ready to go back to pass more job creating legislation with the governor.

He said voters should be pleased that he helped to pass Act 10, which eliminates bargain rights for most public employees, because it has help lowered property taxes in the 22nd District and help create jobs. And he has plans to help re-introduce the mining bill that will bring more jobs to both southeastern and north-central Wisconsin.

“I will also continue to look at reducing corporate and personal taxes to encourage growth,” he said. “Especially if we finish the budget cycle with a surplus. That just tells me we are still taxing too much.”

In response to the , Pridemore said he didn’t vote for the current concealed carry law because there were more than enough votes to pass and he wanted to make a statement.

“I wanted to see it be a more constitutional carry law,” he said. “And Oak Creek wasn’t an issue of guns, but a person who pulled a trigger. Nothing could have prevented it legally.”

Pridemore did address the harsh tone of the primary race, where the challenger and his supporters have said Pridemore is not “vocal” enough for conservatives.

Pridemore said his opponent’s backers are “good old boys” in Menomonee Falls who don’t want to see changes or interference, and it's unfortunate they are involved.

“I don’t believe he is truly independent,” Pridemore added.

He added that he didn’t seek the endorsement of Walker, but he is glad to have it. Pridemore said the endorsement is an honor for him, after helping the governor to make the changes to the state that needed to be made.

Nick Oliver

said he is running not because of anything the Pridemore has done, but because he is tired of being on the sidelines working to elect others.

“I want to move the party in the right direction and running for office was the next logical step,” he said.

Oliver said in the past he has supported Pridemore. However, the 22nd District needs someone more “vocal” on the issues and more involved.

“I asked him (Pridemore) to push for the nullification of Obamacare on the state level and he said we couldn’t do it because of the Supreme Court ruling,” Oliver said. “I don’t believe that and I will push to nullify Obamacare and not stop fighting for the constituents.

As for being a “puppet” of Menomonee Falls operatives, Oliver cried foul on Pridemore’s accusation. He said he sought the support of many and he did meet with former elected officials in the Falls. However, other than some general support of his campaign, Oliver said none of them are directing his campaign.

Oliver is a supporter of gun owner rights and made a point to note that Pridemore did not vote for the concealed carry legislation in the last session. He is also planning on working to get mining back on track in Wisconsin, to create jobs and encourage manufacturing.

While he would not support any state interference in local financial decisions, while referencing the , he said the incident does show how public finances have to be watched closely and reviewed with a fine tooth comb.

“I plan to use a fine tooth comb to go through every dime in the state budget and programs to make sure we’re spending what we should be and not a penny more,” Oliver said. “We should not be spending foolishly; there should never be an automatic spending increase. We must reduce spending and decrease taxes.

“We should do what we’re required constitutionally to do and not what we just want to do,” he said.

Oliver said voters should choose him over the four-time incumbent because while both are a good conservative choices, he is a better choice.

“I will be a much better voice for you in Madison and I will do the job," Oliver said.

Candidate biographies

Patch asked each candidate to complete a biographical questionnaire for voters.

Don Pridemore (R) - Did not respond

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