Another Democrat joins the TenHaken/Heidelberger ranks of bestubbled candidates. Madison artist Chris Francis has announced his entry into the District 8 House race. His candidacy isn’t officially listed on the Secretary of State’s official list of candidates, but Francis says he’s tagging in for long-time Lake County Democratic leader Joan Stamm.
A visual artist, Francis has directed the Madison Area Arts Council since 2007. He played a key role in establishing The Brickhouse Community Arts Center downtown as a permanent home for MAAC activities. In 2015 he earned a Bush Fellowship to expand his arts education.
This is District 8’s second candidate churn this month. Republican Randy Gross stepped in last week for Rep. Leslie Heinemann of Flandreau, who quit the House race right after the primary to focus on drilling teeth. Democrats and Republicans alike should thank us 2016 voters for rejecting Referred Law 19, among whose many blecchy provisions was a statute that would have prohibited political parties from filling vacancies created by candidates who withdraw for mere career convenience. Rep. Heinemann voted for that restriction on ballot placeholders in 2015.