GOP House hopefuls to challenge long-serving Dems

Two Republicans looking to challenge long-term Dem incumbents are starting with distinct disadvantages in campaign cash. But they hope that voters thirsty for change will give them a look this fall.

Dan Mielke, a businessman and farmer from Rudolph who is challenging U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wausau, reported $1,576 cash on hand in the campaign finance reports filed in April. Obey reported $1.1 million cash on hand.

"If we get the cash we believe he's beatable," said Mielke. "It's a no-lose situation for me. I expect to win. I expect to remove that man from office. If I can't do it in this election hopefully I'll get close enough that he'll decide to retire."

Paul Stark, an Eau Claire resident and custom home builder who is running for the 3rd Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, says he decided to run because he sees a lack of leadership in Washington.

"I have been in a sense apathetic because I would help in the presidential elections but other than that I hadn't been doing much," he said. "So I decided that if I want change then maybe I need to step forward to spur that change on."

Stark reported no cash on hand in the most recent reports. Kind reported more than $729,000.

This is Stark's first fun for political office, not a professional politician, which is how he characterizes Kind.

"I am not a politician, and I also running that way," he said. "I am a Washington
outsider ... just a regular guy."

Listen to the Mielke interview here.

Listen to the Stark interview here.

-- By Greg Bump