WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) — There will be another name on the ballot, as three Democrats run for the opportunity to unseat Republican Congressman Sean Duffy.
Joel Lewis of Wausau is currently a Marathon County Board supervisor for District 5. He made his announcement in Wausau at Red Eye Brewing Company with a handful of supporters.
Lewis told WAOW he considered running for other offices first, but changed his mind. “I had intended to maybe do state senate or assembly first, but there was a need here. A lot of folks are afraid to run for congress in this district because of the gerrymandering and the amount of money we have to raise. I’m not afraid of that. I think i can out-knock the doors of my opponents, you know I can beat them in that.”
During his announcement, Lewis criticized incumbent Congressman Duffy on issues including economic inequality, Social Security, and mental illness care. Along with serving on the county board, Lewis has experience with working in developmentally disabled group homes, and the Robert W Monk Public Gardens in Wausau. According to his LinkedIn profile, He also has an interest in using nature-based therapies to reduce recidivism in low-level criminal offenders.
The three Democrats that want to serve the 7th District are all from the Wausau area. Lewis and Ethel Quisler are from Wausau. Phil Salamone is from Rothschild. They will compete in a primary election August 9th to see who gets on the November ballot.
