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Democrat Jim Kinsman of Onalaska introduced himself to the news media Thursday, kicking off his campaign against the six-term incumbent and Republican majority leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
“I’m just a hardworking family man,” said Kinsman, 34, a locomotive engineer for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. “I believe in government of, for and by the people.”
Kinsman wants to represent the 94th Assembly District, which includes most of suburban La Crosse County. Huebsch has held the seat since 1994, when he defeated Democrat Virgil Roberts.
Kinsman promised a campaign based on “issues that unite, promote and strengthen western Wisconsin,” a shot at Huebsch,
who is seen by some as a lightning rod because of his positions on nuclear power and banning gay marriage.
Huebsch could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Kinsman questioned the conventional political wisdom that Huebsch is too popular an incumbent to be beaten.
Kinsman said he wants to “go to Madison and take down the for sale sign on the Capitol,” and “end the culture of corruption that has seen lawmakers going to jail.”
This is Kinsman’s first run for public office, but he’s no stranger to Madison politics. He lobbies in Madison for his union, but differentiated his group from larger lobbies such as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
Kinsman identified several issues he’s interested in:
Kinsman also said politicians must “stop declaring war on our children’s education,” because education helps break down class barriers in society.
The candidate
NAME: James Kinsman
AGE: 34
ADDRESS: W8327 North Shore Drive, Onalaska, Wis.
FAMILY: Wife, Tara; two children
WORK: Locomotive engineer, U.S. Army veteran.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Part-time lobbyist for his union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, in Wisconsin.
DISTRICT 94: Includes most areas in La Crosse County outside the city of La Crosse, except Wards 1, 4, 5 and 6 in the town of Shelby. Also includes the towns of Leon and Portland in Monroe County.
Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.
