Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Thursday, May 29, 2008

Hellman announces candidacy in 92nd District

By REID MAGNEY | La Crosse Tribune

Republican Dan Hellman, a former Monroe County district attorney, announced he’s running for the 92nd Assembly District seat being vacated by state Rep. Terry Musser, R-Black River Falls.

“Terry has done a great job representing west-central Wisconsin,” Hellman said. “I will continue his work by always putting our area ahead of the special interests and keeping the taxpayers of Wisconsin as my number one priority.”

Hellman is the only Republican who has announced running for Musser’s seat. Sparta minister Curtis Miller, and Black River Falls attorney and small business owner Mark Radcliffe are seeking the Democratic nomination.

Hellman works in his family’s business, Hellman Distributors Inc. of Sparta, as human resources manager.

Hellman, 37, has been living in Onalaska, where his wife, Karen, teaches high school English. They have a three-year-old son, Joshua. He said they’re buying a house in the district, which includes parts of Monroe, Jackson, Clark and Eau Claire counties and the cities of Sparta, Tomah, Black River Falls and Augusta.

Hellman was raised in Sparta as the youngest of Gene and Betty Hellman’s five children. After graduating from UW-Madison with a degree in industrial engineering, Hellman attended Hamline Law School. He moved back to Sparta and in 1998 was elected Monroe County District Attorney, serving for four years. Hellman went into private practice before returning to the family business.

“My commitment has always been to my family and my community, from working for the family business growing up and today, to prosecuting criminals as district attorney. I look forward to continuing to fight for our area in Madison,” Hellman said.

Hellman said he’s concerned about growing the economy and creating good jobs, reducing the tax burden, ensuring a great education system, strengthening agriculture and providing better access to affordable health care.

Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.