THE SIGNATURE SCRAMBLE

The Rush to the Race Continues

By Michael Horne

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 to submit their nomination papers for inclusion on the Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 general election and the Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 primary (if needed).
Pedro Colon has sent an e-mail to his supporters telling them to hand in the signatures they have collected. He tells them to drop them off in the campaign office, or what the hell, meet him at Steny's, 800 S. 2nd St. from noon to 2 p.m. on New Year's Day. [Update: Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008-- Colon submitted 3,000 signatures according to a press release from his campaign.--Ed.]
Joe Klein, who is trying to force a primary in the County Executive race, says he's still short of his needed signatures, and has planted himself at City Hall again today to ask taxpayers for their support as they wait to pay their property tax bills. He says he made his nomination papers very downloadable (you can get them here), but has had to do the heavy lifting himself. Last time around, he said he had support from Green Party members and other activists. Now, after finishing a tour of duty in Iraq, he says he's lost support from many of those folks who think he's gone Republican or something. I suppose if Joe had refused to report for duty and ran his campaign from the brig, these folks would be all over his campaign. [Update: Wednesday, January 2nd, 2007 -- Joe Klein has announced he will not run and has thrown his support to Lena Taylor. Jack Hohrein has also said he will not submit sufficient signatures. If Curtis Bolton fails to submit signatures as well, there will be no primary between Walker and Taylor.--Ed.]
Other candidates have told milwaukeeworld that they have got their signatures in. John Connelly, running for the vacant 3rd aldermanic district seat, got his in early. ... Sebastian Raclaw, running in the 13th supervisory district submitted his Friday, as did Brad DeBraska, running in the 14th aldermanic district. Raclaw plans a gig at Tutto, 1033 N. Old World Third St. on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008, with special guest Scott Walker. ... Also, up in the 3rd aldermanic district, Sam McGovern-Rowen plans an event January 7th, 2008 at Cafe Hollander, 2608 N. Downer Ave.

Let the races begin!