April 14, 2009

Karas endorses Turner for mayor

Let the endorsement race begin.

Former mayoral candidate Pete Karas endorsed Bob Turner for mayor on Tuesday. It's the first of a series of endorsements likely coming from the nine candidates who didn't make the May 5 general election.

Here's the formal statement from the Turner camp:

Bob Turner, candidate for Mayor of Racine, received the formal endorsement today of Pete Karas, former alderman and mayoral candidate.

“Bob is the right candidate for the job,” said Karas. “We need a mayor who is ready on day one, and Bob is the guy. His long-time relationships with the citizens of Racine, as well as with government officials at all levels, will allow him to turn this city around."

Karas, former 9th District Alderman and an outspoken progressive voice in the community, received 9% of the vote in the Mayoral Primary on April 7th.

“It is going to take everyone, regardless of party affiliation, to face the challenges ahead,” Turner stated. “I am honored to have Pete's support as we work together to get Racine back on track.”

In addition to his endorsement, Karas will host the grand opening of the Turner for Mayor campaign's new office space on Thursday, April 16th at 7:00P.M. Karas will be joined by Speaker Mike Sheridan and Sen. John Lehman. For more information, contact 262.939.9255 or visit www.turner4mayor.com.

Bob Turner represents the 61st Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Legislature, where he has served for more than 18 years. Turner also served for nearly three decades on the Racine City Council, as well as numerous local boards and committees. The special election for mayor will be held on May 5th.

29 comments:

  1. Is Bob Turner going to agree to a forum with Dickert. Or can we look forward to more lame excuses?

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  2. I WILL NOT vote for Turner unless he pledges to vacate his assembly seat if he wins. Racine needs a full time mayor, not one that spends all his time in Madison.

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  3. Now I am definitely not voting for Turner.

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  4. I didn't vote for Karas or Turner, so this endorsement is meaningless to me. I will not vote for Turner because he is not giving up his state seat. IMHO he is double dipping into our tax funds. I want a leader in touch with reality, not someone who is planning his retirement.

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  5. I still can't understand him when he speaks.

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  6. So where IS the new office, or is it a secret???

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  7. Heckler: Turner's new officer is at 521 Sixth St. "Grand" opening is Thursday, although it's open now.

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  8. A radical lefty endorses a tax and spender. This is not news.

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  9. I guess Pete has sold out to Turner.

    Next, Bob has the Madison elite telling Racine how to vote. I guess all of Racine's problems can be solved by Madison.

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  10. Karas endorsing Turner - whats the payoff? Now I agree with Robert all the spenders are behind Turner. What to do? Where do I get to be purchased by the Turner camp?

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  11. Colt backs Turner.

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  12. I love Turner too!

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  13. i think only one stands out but i will keep that name to myself but at least one of them aren't around underaged kids.

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  14. if you love turner so much can you please explain to me what he has done besides made things worse for racine? if he is mayor i will make sure to move out of this town asap

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  15. Specifically, what has Slick Dickert done besides hobnob with both Kim Plache and Robin Vos?

    Turner is solid, for the people, and WILL BE our next mayor.

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  16. Boy Joyce Smith is active for Turner today.

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  17. Wow what's with all the Joyce bashing?? Sheesh!
    Anyway if Karas is supporting Turner that means he's the leftier of the 2...But not by much...Here's a better idea.

    I am urging a "RIGHT IN" campaign. I will urge the RIGHT IN candidate to register with the City and will encourage anyone who thinks like me to get out and vote for the Small govt. candidate. it is neither of these guys!! i have opened up to both of the candidates and asked them to reach out for our ideas, and the door appears to not even be knocked on.

    RIGHT IN, Right ON, Right NOW!!
    We can save this city by controlling spending..stopping KRM, being business friendly, and discourage low income housing..

    If you agree with this idea..send the massage out and lets get a conservative Small govt. candidate for our Next Mayor. Jody Harding or Greg Helding or Jaime Charon, which one of you will carry the torch???

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  18. Turner is a joke. Does anyone really want a Mayor who can't even debate his opponent and holds a "part time" job in Madison.

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  19. how is he solid for the people though? that doesn't answer my question.
    Well at least dickert has proved results for helping clean up the city what has turner done besides help improve crime for our city?

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  20. Dickert is still friends with Becker. Truth hurts.

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  21. i don't know is he, i don't believe his personal business is mine to know, who he is friends with doesn't matter to me it's his results that i care about. Becker is gone and there are a lot of people around town that were friends with him.

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  22. I do not care who Greg, or Jim or Jody. For the love of GOD please someone do a write in and give Racine a better chose.
    Of course we would need more then 13% to come out and vote

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  23. Anon 9:03, What "proved results in helping clean up the city" does Mr. Dickert have? Can you give any specifics? Just a question, not a challenge.

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  24. Colt, I'm glad to know you have an open mind to a more moderate to Small govt. Conservative, which neither Dickert or Turner are. I DON'T speak for any of the 3..but I don't think Greg is likely to wield a Write-in against 2 guys he suspects he'll have to work with if loses. Jaimie I don't think has the name recognition yet. But I want to see him do something, he's great!! But Jody Harding was the first to announce a challenge, she has a sharp pencil and is willing to focus on spending control, she is also willing to STAND AGAINST the KRM...if she just got the votes of those of us opposed to KRM she'd win in a Write-in..EASILY!! I Believe she is willing to run, but she will need our enthusiasm to rally all of the people we know who are small Govt. folks behind her. I am urging her to contact City hall tomorrow and register as a write-in candidate, and I trust Dustin or Pete will be in contact to see if she is willing to go for it. WRJN? Journal Times??
    Turner and Dickert are not different really. Jody is the real thing and what Racine needs for 2 years is to control spending and NOT raise taxes. Obama and Doyle and just about everyone else raising our taxes, this has got to STOP!!

    JODY WILL YOU RUN!!!!!

    RIGHT IN! RIGHT ON! RIGHT NOW!!!

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  25. Anon 12:57 – You may want to consider switching to decaf after midnight.

    Cheron, Helding and Harding all ran very good, solid campaigns. Between the three of them, they could maybe have come in 2nd if you add all their votes together. Every one of them has a potential future in Racine politics, UNLESS they decide to run a write in campaign. Look what it did for Smith’s career.

    I, for one, would like to see Harding and/or Helding make a play for Rep. Turner’s seat regardless of what happens with the Mayoral election). If nothing else, they bring up issues and positions that have been too long ignored in SE Wisconsin politics. Cheron needs to get a little more exposure under his belt but is clearly passionate about the city. I’d like to see him make an aldermanic run at least.

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  26. Sorry Vig..I need someone I can vote FOR...Smith problem wasn't the Write-in, he was a sell out to the left, and had that silly felony or whatever it was. Smith pretended to be a moderate. Yet I always seem to hear he is cozying up with every lefty in town.
    This is also different because NOTHING ELSE is on the ballot, and the other candidates are virtually identical on policy, and taxes. So Jody could stand out as totally different. Furthermore, many Jody voters had told me they would stay home or would write Jody in anyways. So why not take the initiative to get a different message out into the community..and give the moderate to Right leaners something to vote FOR!!! If you think this TRAIN is a waste of money here is your chance to voice your opposition!! The "Boy's" love the Train, and higher taxes!

    BTW Charon for Alderman, Assembly or something would be GREAT!

    Right IN, Right ON, Right NOW!
    Yes we can!.(Oh that was taken...sorry).
    Were having a TEA Party today!!!! Don 't just march..Vote!!!

    BTW a TEA Party would will be held in front of City Hall on Saturday at 12:00...Jody will be there.

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  27. Fair enough. It would be very interesting to see a strong Libertarian emerge from Racine.

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  28. Downtown Brown4/16/2009 12:35 AM

    Hey Vig thanks fro your response, I met tonight with Jody and we are going forward full strength. She will be attending and a speaker at this Saturdays TEA party at the Square in front of City Hall. you said Libertarian, and I think Jody is more Libertarian than I am and certainly is DECIDEDLY different than either of these guys.

    Lets take a 2 year breather on new and increasing taxes, especially in the current economy. Lets put the brakes on KRM and really think about whether this is the Train we want to ride on. Come downtown n Saturday and meet Jody.. You will be impressed, she normal and witty and smart and want s the RIGHT thng for all of Racine..

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  29. Downtown: “Interesting” was not meant to mean “I think it would be a good idea to launch a write-in campaign.”

    This is not the way to emerge as a strong leader. It demonstrates desperation, rash judgment and a lack of long-term commitment to purpose.

    I will try to make it Saturday.

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