Is there a Dem challenging Paul Ryan in 2018 race?

[diva77]

could not find anything

[hedda_foil]

1. There damn well better be!

[Gabi Hayes]

2. yeah.....Jerry....let's see....

Manders

[diva77]

3. oh yah - he's running all over the place!

but seriously, is there no one??

[milestogo]

4. The Democratic party in Wisconsin has had some good candidates

challenge Paul Ryan over the years, but nobody has ever come close to beating him. Probably someone will run again, but I'm not hopeful unless that person gets a huge infusion of $$$$$$$.

[JI7]

5. i'm pretty sure it's not about money

it's a safe seat for Ryan and it would take a change in district demographics or something coming out on Ryan for him to lose.

[milestogo]

7. The thing about money is it buys advertising.

In order for people to vote for someone they have to know who they are. Everyone knows Paul Ryan and people tend to vote for incumbents.

The democrats who run against him can raise money for over a year and only end up with $150,000. That doesn't buy much television advertising. Give a well spoken Democrat $5 million to spend on attack ads, and you might get somewhere. But I don't see that happening.

Our best bet is Ryan's medical history. His father died of a heart attack at age 55. Ryan is 47. Of course, its unclear whether he actually has a heart.

[JI7]

11. up to a certain point. in california republicans spend a lot for statewide office

and everyone knows who they are and don't win.

arnold won because he was seen as moderate and he was a movie star which they thought was cool . not because of money.

[milestogo]

12. Ryan's district tends to be Catholic and anti-abortion

The best kind of dem to run against him is a Catholic moderate who also opposes abortion.

[phylny]

15. I was actually thinking the same thing in general

for some key positions around the country. A good idea.

[cwydro]

16. Well, he's a runner so it seems he keeps in shape.

He even lied about his race times.

[diva77]

6. hopefully someone will step up to the plate -- surely he won't go unopposed will he??

[milestogo]

8. I don't think he's ever been unopposed.

But the people running against him have not been well known or politically experienced. Its rare for somebody to want to run against an incumbent more than once. Its a huge sacrifice and you're most likely going to lose.

[diva77]

9. if Jon Ossoff-D can lead in GA in a red district, anything is possible

people will back a Dem candidate if one steps forward!! now is the time!!

[milestogo]

10. He is getting support from all over the country

because its only one seat. In two years there will be 435 people running for congress. If the whole country wants to back a Ryan opponent that would be awesome.

[Heartstrings]

13. Noone's stepped up to the plate yet...

I live just North of Ryan's district. My county (Dane) went blue, as did urban Milwaukee. The rest of the entire state fell apart...haven't heard a peep about opposition to Ryan...however at this point we have bigger fish to fry don't we?...(fish fries in Wisconsin on a Friday night are the bomb btw!)

My daughter lives and is registered in Chicago...she asked if she should relocate up to the Janeville area to help get Ryan out...told her no, you need to stay and keep your state blue...Wisconsin needs to own the bullshit we've created...

If there's one thing this election has shown both my children is that they have voices, need to be vigilant, informed and resist...

Let it be noted...I've never voted for Scooter Walker, voted to gave him recalled, and voted blue in the primary and presidential elections...

[myrna minx]

14. The 1st District exists in the a news media sweet spot for Ryan.

Last edited Thu Mar 30, 2017, 06:39 AM - Edit history (1)

All of the local television news media outlets are in other Congressional districts. Local television news is either out of Madison, Milwaukee or Rockford IL.

Over the years, there wasn't much scrutiny of Ryan, because the television media markets had their own Congressional districts to cover, not to mention that the Janesville Gazette and the local radio stations like WCLO are owned by the Bliss family, old Ryan family friends.

When Ryan did produce any political commercials, they were so golly gosh, middle of the road, where you would think that, while gasoline was a reality *wringing his hands*, he knew green power was here to stay. His ads would hit the god and family and sensible solutions glurge, all without mentioning the the cruel Ayn Radian applications. "He's such a nice boy!"

A challenger has an uphill battle, considering the media issues and name recognition, but it's not impossible.

The district leans conservative. While Ryan won the district (not by a very large margin), he lost his own hometown when he was on the the ballot for VP.

The district was Democratic for 20 years, until Les Aspin joined he Clinton Cabinet in 93. The district fell to the Republicans during the Gingrich insurgency around 95.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin%27s_1st_congressional_district

Year Office Results Political parties that won the district
2000 President George W. Bush 51 - Al Gore 45% Republican
2004 President George W. Bush 54 - John Kerry 46% Republican
2008 President Barack Obama 51 - John McCain 48% Democratic
2012 President Mitt Romney 52 - Barack Obama 47% Republican <----- Ryan was VP candidate!
2016 President Donald Trump 53 - Hillary Clinton 42% Republican

[diva77]

17. Thanks for this info, Myrna. Glad to hear it's not impossible! nt

[YaleBlueCollar]

18. Stay tuned for news...

Need to clean up some personal stuff, but then I'm "good to go" walking the CD, 24/7/365, as I don't need to "work" anymore.

Fifth generation Wisconsinite.
Lifelong Democrat.
Supported Bernie (with money) from mid-2015 to the end.
Card carrying member of the UAW while working my way through Yale.
Prior experience as a partisan political candidate.
More details to come...

[GP6971]

19. What years were you at Yale?

Me...69 - 71.

[diva77]

20. Are you saying you're revving up to run??

Sounds very interesting!!! Very exciting!!! Can't wait to hear more!!!

[diva77]

21. looks like David Yankovich is running against Ryan. Are you still planning to run as well?

Enquiring minds want to know!!