JB for AG

Thank You

2006-11-07T06:47:00.000-06:00

On the road in Dane County this morning, but before I headed out I wanted to quickly say thank you.

Thank you to those who volunteered their time to help our efforts. Your envelope stuffing, sign placing, phone calling and misc. office work was the backbone of our efforts.

Thank you to those who were able to financially contribute. We were frugal with your dollars, I assure you.

Thank you to those who have sent well wishes, kind thoughts and prayers to me and my family. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

Finally, thanks to all of you who have or will vote for me today. I am humbled by the faith you're putting in me.

Win or lose, we ran a race we can be proud of. We didn't sink to the level of our opponent and her patrons. We ran a truly bipartisan race on the issues voters told us they were concerned about.

Regardless of the outcome tonight, I just wanted you to know just how much I appreciate everything all of you have done for our campaign.

Thank you.

-JB

Falk Ignores Victims' Families

2006-11-02T18:20:00.000-06:00

Inexperienced, Desperate Falk Schooled by
Female District Attorneys in Areas of Law, Compassion

[Waukesha, Wisc…] THREE prominent female Wisconsin prosecutors say Kathleen Falk doesn’t have a clue about criminal prosecution, nor compassion for victims.

In the last week Falk and her special interest friends have been spreading lies about J.B. Van Hollen’s track record as a prosecutor, specifically regarding his handling of a 2000 Bayfield County murder case.

“JB Van Hollen's track record as a prosecutor is strong,” said Sauk County District Attorney Patricia Barrett. “For Kathleen Falk, someone who has never been in our shoes, working on putting the murderers and rapists away, to criticize him is pure politics. The ads running by her and on her behalf not only lie about the facts, they further traumatize the victims' family. I am quite disturbed that a candidate for Attorney General would stoop as low as Kathleen Falk has, to try to salvage a political campaign.”

For a week, Falk and her supporters have been running television ads which lie about J.B. Van Hollen’s prosecution of Stanley Newago in Bayfield County in 2000. They allege Van Hollen could have revoked Newago’s bail on an assault charge prior to Newago’s commission of a brutal murder. That is a lie.

“Fact is, JB put Newago away for life, without having to take the case to trial. He did two things Kathleen Falk didn't,” said Outagamie District Attorney Carrie Schneider. “One, he prosecuted a criminal, something Falk has NEVER done. Two, he went to great lengths to protect the family from suffering through a long drawn out affair. Ms. Falk should be ashamed of herself for not only misleading the public, but for revictimizing the survivors as well.”

The Van Hollen campaign had previously sent a letter to the Falk campaign and her supporters, providing them the facts of the Newago case and warning them not to produce an ad which distorted the actual record. Her supporters refused to comply. Falk has hidden behind campaign spokesmen and has not commented directly about anything related to the facts regarding criminal procedure.

“J.B. did everything right in the Newago case,” said Ozaukee County District Attorney Sandy Williams. “Ms. Falk is wrong.”

Falk is falling in the polls and has been on the defensive for a lack of experience and left wing history that has made it hard for her to gain the support of mainstream Democrats. Her team has resorted to a desperate lie to rescue her faltering campaign.

Van Hollen is now endorsed by a stunning 46 sheriffs and 55 district attorneys; of those 101 top law enforcement professionals backing Van Hollen, 18 are Democrats. Van Hollen is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Union of Police Associations/AFL-CIO, the Wisconsin Troopers' Association, the Wisconsin Sheriff and Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, the Milwaukee Police Association, the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Deputies Association, the Milwaukee Police Supervisors Organization, the Racine Police Association, the New Berlin Professional Police Association and the Wauwatosa Peace Officers Association.

New Television Ads

2006-10-30T16:17:00.000-06:00

The campaign is airing two new television commercials this week.

Here's one.

Here's the other.

Sleaze Promotes Falk Via Lies

2006-10-28T14:51:00.000-05:00

Legal experts in Wisconsin, including a major supporter of Kathy Falk, agree that a new sleazy attack ad by the Greater Wisconsin Committee is a lie.

Yesterday Falk supporters began running a television ad which lies about J.B. Van Hollen’s prosecution of Stanley Newago in Bayfield County in 2000. They allege Van Hollen could have revoked Newago’s bail on an assault charge prior to Newago’s commission of a brutal murder. That is a lie.

The evidence that the GWC ad is demonstrably false is overwhelming according to a bipartisan analysis.

Frank Tuerkheimer is one of the preeminent authorities on Wisconsin Criminal law. He is a University of Wisconsin Law Professor and of counsel to the Madison firm of LaFollette Godfrey and Kahn. He has been United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, an Associate Watergate Prosecutor and an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. As a private attorney, he has represented public interest groups for almost 30 years. He has also written in the areas of Evidence, Criminal Law and Privacy and has testified on these issues before Senate committees.

“Frank Tuerkheimer, a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin who has endorsed Falk, said there would have been no reason for Van Hollen to ask for revocation of Newago's bail unless something else had happened or he appeared to be a flight risk.” -Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 28, 2006.

District Attorneys from throughout the state agree with Tuerkheimer.

“Van Hollen's handling of that case was text book” said Washington Co. District Attorney Todd Martens. “Speaking of text books, perhaps the Falk team should take a refresher course on criminal prosecution. They either don't know what they are talking about, or their purposely trying to deceive Wisconsin voters.”

Several Democrat county prosecutors have also said the advertisement is a lie.

“I'm ashamed to say this is being done to help a fellow Democrat" said Pepin Co. District Attorney Jon Siefert. “I'm proud to be a Democrat but I want the world to know I don't tolerate that kind of garbage. I hope the ad never runs, but if it does, shame on the Falk team.”

"That television commercial by the Falk supporters is off base," said Iron Co. District Attorney Martin Lipske. "It's disgusting and not true. JB Van Hollen achieved the ultimate disposition on the Newago case and that is a sign that he is the only true prosecutor in this race. Fighting crime and bringing justice to victims is not a partisan battle. I'm a Democrat, but I support JB Van Hollen because he is the only candidate running who has experience bringing justice to victims of violent crime."

Adams County District Attorney Mark Thibodeau yesterday became the third Democrat District Attorney to chastise the Falk team for a sleazy new ad.

“An ad such as the one now running shows the Falk team's lack of understanding of the way the criminal justice system works,” said Thibodeau, a Democrat.

The Van Hollen campaign had previously sent a letter to the Falk campaign and her supporters, providing them the facts of the Newago case and warning them not to produce an ad which distorted the actual record. Her supporters refused to comply.

Kathleen Falk is hiding and has refused all requests to comment directly on the ad.

Falk is trailing in the polls and has been on the defensive for a lack of experience and left wing history that has made it hard for her to gain the support of mainstream Democrats. Her team has resorted to a desperate lie to rescue her faltering campaign.

Van Hollen is now endorsed by a stunning 46 sheriffs and 55 district attorneys; of those 101 top law enforcement professionals backing Van Hollen, 18 are Democrats. Van Hollen is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Union of Police Associations/AFL-CIO, the Wisconsin Troopers' Association, the Wisconsin Sheriff and Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, the Milwaukee Police Association, the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Deputies Association, the Milwaukee Police Supervisors Organization, the Racine Police Association, the New Berlin Professional Police Association and the Wauwatosa Peace Officers Association.

First AG Ad of General Election

2006-10-16T16:38:00.000-05:00

The first ad of the General Election is being run by J.B. Van Hollen. It begins running today in Southeast Wisconsin.

You can help us pay to keep this ad up there and run it elsewhere by clicking here to access our secure contributor site.

Wisconsin Professional Police Association Supports JB

2006-10-16T11:18:00.000-05:00

J.B. VAN HOLLEN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL

Even though the WPPA PAC recognized Kathleen Falk’s strong record on labor-related issues, as well as her ability to effectively manage a large governmental entity, the PAC viewed J.B. Van Hollen’s prosecutorial experience, as well as his experience in criminal justice management, as more applicable to the position of state attorney general.

“WPPA is endorsing JB Van Hollen for attorney general because he best represents what law enforcement needs from the Department of Justice – a focus on crime fighting and prevention,” said Bill Chesen, WPPA Board Member and Racine Police officer. “Gang and gun violence, drug use and cyber crime deserve top priority for the state’s ‘top cop’ and Van Hollen has demonstrated his commitment to working with local law enforcement to better serve our communities.”

Law Enforcement?

2006-10-12T17:58:00.000-05:00

On Monday, November 7, 2005 three Assistant Attorneys General Wisconsin Department of Justice sent the following letter to the ten Democratic legislators who urged Kathleen Falk to run against incumbent Peg Lautenschlager for the office of State Attorney General. Here is the text of that letter.

Three Assistant Attorneys General say Falk

lacks experience at law-enforcement

November 7, 2005

We are Wisconsin Assistant Attorneys General, serving in the Criminal Appeals Unit of the Wisconsin Department of Justice. We are career appellate prosecutors with almost 60 years of combined service. One of us served as a police officer in both civilian and military service and as the Attorney General's designee on the Law Enforcement Standards Board, and two of us have served as local municipal court judges. We have worked for Attorneys General of both major political parties, and we occupy different spots on the political spectrum.

We are writing to express our concern about your November 2, 2005 letter to Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, urging her to run as a Democratic candidate for the office of Wisconsin Attorney General. Specifically, we note your reference to Ms. Falk's "strong" background in law enforcement, as evidenced by her service as Public Intervenor.

Without depreciating the importance of her work in that position, we think it necessary to point out that this was not a law enforcement position, as that term is commonly understood (and how the public will understand it in a political campaign). Ms. Falk was principally a civil litigator at the Wisconsin Department of Justice. She was not a sworn law enforcement officer, nor was she a criminal prosecutor at either the trial or appellate level. To suggest, as you do, that her work as the Public Intervenor constitutes "over-decade-long law enforcement service" creates a misleading impression of the nature of her work and the nature of law enforcement work. The Wisconsin Attorney General is the state's chief law enforcement officer -- or, as the Governor often said while he served in that post, the state's "Top Cop." The necessary experience can't be bestowed by label, or by a paragraph in a legislator's letter.

All three of us served with Ms. Falk at the Wisconsin Department of Justice. We value and admire her intellect and her legal skills. She is serving the people of Dane County admirably as their County Executive. We do not doubt that she is well-suited for statewide office, but not the office of Attorney General at this time. That position is currently held by Peg Lautenschlager, a highly qualified, highly skilled attorney with the necessary breadth of civil and criminal law experience for that position.

William Gansner
Gregory M. Weber
Christopher G. Wren

Falk's Administrative Abilities Questioned

2006-10-03T16:28:00.000-05:00

Van Hollen rips Falk over zoning chief's photos

By Bill Novak

Republican state attorney general candidate J.B. Van Hollen is blasting his Democratic opponent, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, for allowing the county's zoning administrator to stay on the payroll until Oct. 31 after nude pictures were discovered on a county-owned camera in August.

Falk has declined to comment, but her chief of staff, Topf Wells, fired back at Van Hollen, calling his comments "outrageous, ill-informed and vicious speculation."

Peter Conrad, Dane County's zoning administrator since May 2003, has been under internal investigation since Aug. 28 after a zoning inspector found the nude images on a digital camera that had been in Conrad's possession the previous weekend.

Planning and development department director Todd Violante sent an e-mail to County Board supervisors last week, saying Conrad resigned effective Oct. 31, but will work on "a list of outstanding projects that do not require his presence in the office" until the end of the month.

Read the whole story from Madison's Capital Times here.

Farmers Want experienced Prosecutor JB Van Hollen to be Attorney General

2006-09-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Let's recap.

Wednesday, the campaign announced the endorsement of 18 Democrat Sheriffs and District Attorneys, who helped launch "DemsforJB."

Yesterday, JB received the support of four large law enforcement labor unions.

Today, we are proud to accept the support of the Volunteers for Agriculture, the largest grassroots advocacy group for farmers in Wisconsin.

We know that J.B. Van Hollen has his priorities right for Wisconsin farmers – stop crime and uphold Wisconsin’s right to farm law,” said John Jarvis, chairman of the Volunteers for Agriculture Committee. “The last thing Wisconsin farmers need is an attorney general filing nuisance lawsuits for the courts to tell us how to farm.”

The core issue for the Volunteers for Agriculture is over a nuisance lawsuit filed by Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager against a cranberry grower in Sawyer who has not violated any state or federal environmental law. Lautenschlager, who was defeated in the Democratic primary, is appealing a ruling to deny the lawsuit made by a Bayfield County judge this summer. Falk has indicated that she supports the appeal, a direct attack on Wisconsin’s right to farm law.

“We need an Attorney General who will focus on stopping crime and not sue law abiding farmers in blatant disregard of our right to farm law,” said Jarvis.

It's been a great week for the campaign.

Even better if you consider that Van Hollen has closed a 19 point gap in only a few weeks, and is basically within the margin of error of his challenger, a much better position than he was even at this point in the Primary campaign.

Here's what our campaign said about the latest polling. The more people realize that Kathleen Falk has never prosecuted a single criminal, not one, the better J.B. will do in subsequent polls.

Of course, this is all building up to the only poll that truly matters, Election Day. Just as we did in the primary, the JB team is focused on building a strong organization to deliver our strong message to come out on top at the ballot box. So far, so good. Thanks to the thousands of you who have joined the team this week, and here's to the sprint to the finish.

--Juston Johnson, Campaign Manager

Van Hollen Picks Up Key Endorsements

2006-09-28T15:19:00.000-05:00

Today, JB was endorsed by The Milwaukee Police Association, The International Union of Police Associations/AFL-CIO, The Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs and the Milwaukee Police Supervisors' Organizaton.

MPA President John Balcerzak made the following statement at the press conference:

The Men and Women of the Milwaukee Police Association are proud to stand here today and support J.B. Van Hollen for Attorney General.

One word separates JB Van Hollen from his opponent.

That word is experience.

The contrast between the two candidates in this race is stark. JB Van Hollen has a record of fighting crime. Kathleen Falk has never tried a criminal case. Not one.

That's of great concern to the men and women of law enforcement.

JB was in his mid-twenties when he prosecuted his first criminal case.

Since then, he's been a front line prosecutor, in the trenches as both a District Attorney and United States Attorney.

JB has a record of fighting crime.

Law enforcement across this state support JB because they know he supports us. Not only does he support us, he's one of us.

The MPA supports JB Van Hollen because we know the priority of the Department of Justice should be to fight crime.

JB Van Hollen is not an activist.

We support Van Hollen because his only agenda is to fight crime and restore integrity to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

JB's plan is to fight crime first.

All of Wisconsin deserves pro-active leadership on criminal justice issues.

JB's experience proves that he can deliver results.

With demonstrated skills as a law enforcement leader in both rural and metropolitan areas, Van Hollen is an experienced, strong and tough prosecutor.

As a federal prosecutor, Van Hollen concentrated aggressively on:

Drug offenders, including significant methamphetamine prosecutions and large-scale ecstasy prosecutions stemming from the UW/Madison campus
The discovery and prosecution of the so-called "mall rapist" and other child molesters and pornographers
The vigorous and successful prosecutions of many high-profile, multi-million dollar white collar criminal cases such as the Danford jewelers insurance fraud case, the Chris Temple and David Yeazel investment fraud prosecutions, the Tedder off-shore money-laundering prosecution, and the Bilhorn tax evasion case

Kathy Falk has no experience prosecuting criminals. None.

In short, Van Hollen is the experienced law enforcement professional in the race and the men and women of the MPA are proud to be a part of his team.

Elections Board Vote Rigged?

2006-09-21T08:01:00.000-05:00

Van Hollen campaign statement regarding today’s revelation regarding Doyle-orchestrated Elections Board attack on Congressman Mark Green

“It is clear that the State Elections Board has become a puppet of the partisans in power in Madison. We need to fix the mess in Madison and one way to do this is to have Elections and Ethics law monitored and enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Regarding the current allegations, I believe DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation should immediately launch an inquiry to see not only if the Elections Board vote was rigged, but also if state resources were used for the Doyle campaign’s political advantage.”

The Van Hollen campaign said the latest ethical lapse by the Doyle points to the need for change and reform.

A legitimate board within the department of justice is needed; however, what is not needed is oversight by an Attorney General hand picked by Governor Doyle,” said Van Hollen campaign manager Juston Johnson. “You won’t hear one bad word from Ms. Falk regarding the antics of her mentor, Jim Doyle or his campaign.”

On April 24, 2006 JB Van Hollen unveiled his new vision and new priorities for the Department of Justice.

New Priority: Lead the Fight Against Public Corruption

· Lead a new MAT whose sole focus is to investigate and prosecute cases regarding public corruption. This new unit within the Department of Criminal Investigation will work with local law enforcement to investigate not only political corruption but also all cases of police misconduct throughout Wisconsin.

· Lead a new unit whose focus is to ensure the validity of all state and local elections

JB proposed elections and public integrity unit within DOJ in APRIL.

He reiterated that call in JUNE.

JB introduced a comprehensive Procurement Reform in JULY.

Thank You

2006-09-13T10:36:00.000-05:00

I want to take a moment to say thanks.

Thanks to my supporters for working hard, spreading our message and going to the polls.

Thanks to my opponent's supporters for getting involved and for reaching out today and offering to join the team....welcome aboard.

And, thanks to the voters of Wisconsin, we are now able to offer a stark contrast for the fall.

In the next 55 days, we'll make our case, but for now, I just wanted to say "Thanks."

-JB

Vote Van Hollen Today!

2006-09-12T00:51:00.000-05:00

Please vote Van Hollen for Attorney General.

Polls open until 8pm.

Tommy Stumps for Van Hollen

2006-09-09T13:30:00.000-05:00

Last night, just a few miles down from our campaign headquarters in Waukesha County, more than 130 supporters attended the final major fundraiser of the Primary. Former Governor Tommy Thompson made a passionate pitch for J.B. Van Hollen. Touting his ‘record of distinction as District Attorney and a federal prosecutor’ Thompson praised Van Hollen as a man of character and integrity.

Just Who is JB Van Hollen?

2006-09-09T10:12:00.000-05:00

Peg Comes up with 11th Hour Plan to Reduce Crime Lab Backlog

2006-09-05T16:22:00.000-05:00

For a year now, I’ve been highlighting the growing backlog at the state crime labs and touting my plan to fix the mess in Madison. For the last several days my campaign has been running a statewide television ad critical of her mismanagement of the crime labs. Years ago, Peg Lautenschlager promised to fix the crime lab backlog and it only got worse under her watch. Her eleventh hour plan raises more questions than it answers.

Why should nyone trust her now – one week from the election?

Why did it take her this long to finally acknowledge the mess she helped create?

Why did she ask for only 4 new positions for the crime labs in her last budget request while asking for 5 positions to handle consumer protection?

Her press release is not a plan to make the crime labs a priority. Only when she fires the Solicitor General and dismisses her politically motivated-lawsuits can she begin to demonstrate to Wisconsin families that her administration has the correct priorities.

She’s badly misused the office and the taxpayer’s money to sue farmers and businesses while the crime lab backlog worsened.

She now strives to be average. We should strive to be better than the national average – families are expecting swift justice and as Attorney General I will deliver. I will set new priorities. I will fix the mess in Madison.

2006-09-04T20:04:00.000-05:00

Our Third Commercial

Here's our thrid television ad, which begins running statewide this week.

Elections and Ethics Should Be AG's Jurisdiction

2006-08-31T12:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday’s partisan, punitive, petty decision by the State Elections Board, which attempts to strip Mark Green of hundreds of thousands of legally-raised and legally-accounted-for funds, reaffirms the need for something better.

From a policy perspective, I’ve proposed something better. In April, as I shared my vision and priorities for the office of attorney general, I proposed to create a new unit within the Department of Justice to handle ethics and election laws. I support the concept of disbanding the partisan-appointee filled Elections Board as well as the impotent State Ethics Board.

As I said in April, a new body, with the jurisdiction of both entities, should be housed in the Department of Justice. Moreover, under my watch, it will be a Department where politics does NOT take precedent over law and order.

From a campaign perspective, Republicans are uniting and moving forward. The ethical lapses of the Doyle and Lautenschlager administrations are well known. It’s time for a change. Working together to elect Mark Green as Governor and myself as Attorney General, we can restore integrity and make Wisconsin great again.

Forward.

Online Chat

2006-08-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

JB participated in an online chat with readers of the JSOnline this afternoon.

Check it out.

Latest Television Ad

2006-08-27T22:47:00.000-05:00

This is the latest commercial the campaign is running. It begins airing on stations in Green Bay and Milwaukee tomorrow.

Riley Case Points to Needed ReformsAG has failed to lead

2006-08-25T13:35:00.000-05:00

The state’s Attorney General should be a beacon of integrity—the AG should lead on integrity in governance and integrity in elections. For 16 years the Democrat attorneys general of Wisconsin have failed miserably at both. The forced withdrawal of Democrat State Senate candidate Donovan Riley should be a wake up call, as if Wisconsin needed yet another. While Riley deserves his presumption of innocence, it appears that he does not even contest that he voted in both Illinois and Wisconsin in the same election.

The only reason his alleged double voting came to light is because he ran for office. This is wrong. First, as Attorney General, I will immediately work with other states, particularly our border states, to use the new federally mandated HAVA voter lists to at least implement spot checks for double voting, and will also work towards the development of a more comprehensive fraud detection system. This would at least be a start towards real reform and a real deterrent.

Second, double voting, like the shameful voter suppression efforts we saw in Milwaukee in 2004, must be viewed as a serious and direct attack on the core values of our country. A slap on the wrist is a slap at every voter’s rights and dignity. Double voting deserves to be charged and prosecuted to the absolute fullest extent allowed under the law. Deals are not appropriate. If the facts are what Riley appears to admit, I call for all officials in both states to charge and prosecute this violation to the fullest extent allowed.

Lautenschlager's Ethics

2006-08-23T16:56:00.000-05:00

News item from WisPolitics:

-- The state Ethics Board has cleared Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager of any wrongdoing for giving $50,000 from a legal settlement to Wisconsin Citizen Action.

Republican legislative leaders and GOP AG candidate J.B. Van Hollen complained WCA has run ads against Republicans in the past and claimed Lautenschlager was trying to benefit her campaign by making the donation through her public office.

The Ethics Board rejected those claims, saying in a statement that it found no evidence the AG had used her position for an unlawful benefit.

My response:

"This is why we need an attorney general with the right priorities. I and the other leaders who filed this complaint find this gift of $50,000 to this overtly political group wholly inappropriate. While Lautenschlager's political gift apparently will not result in official action against her by the Ethics Board, I believe we should expect better judgment and better behavior from the attorney general. The AG must be judged by a much higher standard. This use of funds was wholly inappropriate, even if the ethics board is not going to do anything about it.

"It is logic-defying, incumbent-protecting decisions like this that have lead many, including myself to call for the dissolution of the Ethics Board and the creation of a new entity to monitor elections and elected officials.

"As attorney general, I will never use my position to fund politics. Regardless of the outcome of today's ruling, as attorney general I will establish a bipartisan advisory panel to handle settlement awards so that the Department of Justice can be free of the ethical questions surrounding grants like those awarded by Peg Lautenschlager in this case and with the vitamin settlements handed out by her predecessor, Jim Doyle."

Family

2006-08-21T12:55:00.000-05:00

This weekend, my opponent attempted to belittle me and our campaign by suggesting that the sole reason we’ve built up our massive statewide network was because my father served in the legislature nearly forty years ago and served as the northern district director for the State of Wisconsin nearly twenty years ago.

On Saturday, when the reporter asked me to respond, here’s what I sent him:

"Wow, I certainly hoped we'd keep each others families out of this and focus on the many real issues before us. Anyway, I have made my mark, professionally, for nearly two decades now and clearly am my own man. I am running on my track record as DA and as US Attorney as well as my vision and plan for the future of the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The Wisconsin State Troopers Association, Tommy Thompson, the 26 Sheriffs and 29 DAs have said they back me because of what I've done and what I plan to do as a law enforcement leader. I take them at their word.

That being said, I am proud to be John and Rose Van Hollen's son. Family is very important to me and I don't have to distance myself from either one of them for my own political gain. The most important thing my dad taught me has nothing to do with politics. He was and is a role model on how to be a good father to my own kids."

In these last days of the campaign, as he has gotten more and more desperate, my opponent has also suggested that I have put my children’s future at risk by loaning our campaign some of my business and investment returns. Well, I won’t be lectured about family values by Paul Bucher, or anyone else for that matter.

I prefer to stick to the issues and leave our families out of this. Being the family of a candidate for public office is hard enough, the hours away from home, the media scrutiny, etc. I am grateful for their love and support and hope we can keep the focus on the issues that matter. So, for what it’s worth, I won’t focus on my opponents’ families, whether they choose to follow my lead is entirely up to them.

If Republicans are to win this seat, we need to focus on fighting crime and restoring integrity. That's my plan.

Forward!

On the air

2006-08-20T19:42:00.000-05:00

Our new television commercial begins airing tomorrow morning.

Is Terrorism an Issue in the Race for AG?I Believe it is

2006-08-14T14:00:00.000-05:00

News Item from the Associated Press August 14, 2006:

Coast Guard increases patrols near Mackinac Bridge after arrests
The U.S. Coast Guard has increased patrols near the Mackinac Bridge after prosecutors said they believe three Palestinian-American men from Texas now jailed on terrorism-related charges were targeting the 5-mile-long span.

CARO, Mich. --The U.S. Coast Guard has increased patrols near the Mackinac Bridge after prosecutors said they believe three Palestinian-American men from Texas now jailed on terrorism-related charges were targeting the 5-mile-long span.

The Coast Guard said Sunday that it has increased patrols across the Straits of Mackinac in response to a possible threat to the bridge, which connects Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas.

"The additional patrols are being conducted to deter, detect and allow for a more timely response to any possible threats made to the bridge,'' the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The men were arrested Friday outside a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. outlet in Caro, about 80 miles north of Detroit in the state's agricultural Thumb region, after employees became suspicious over their purchase of 80 cell phones.

Authorities say the men had about 1,000 cell phones in their van, as well as a bag of receipts. The receipts were from several locations, including a Wisconsin store.

My thoughts?

In this race, Peg Lautenschlager has not taken a pro-active approach on the issue of terrorism. Kathy Falk has been silent. My Primary opponent doesn't believe terrorists are in Wisconsin and has said it's a federal issue.

I have long said law enforcement at every level of government must remain vigilant to the threat of possible acts of terrorism. Wisconsin citizens should not be paranoid, but they should not assume that only the big cities on either coast of the United States are the only possible targets for terrorists.

I do not believe terrorism is merely a federal issue and I believe it is naive and dangerous to assume terrorists are not in Wisconsin. Regardless of the outcome of this current case, as Attorney General, I will work every day with federal and local law enforcement on terrorism surveillance and prevention. I understand that the risk is real and that, much as we would hope otherwise, Wisconsin is not immune from the reality of terrorism.

Vote Fraud in Wisconsin

2006-08-13T11:10:00.000-05:00

Interesting item in the news today:

State Senate candidate Donovan Riley is a big believer in democracy.

So much so that he rarely misses a chance to vote.

And, in one case, Riley may have gone so far as to vote twice in the same election.

Yep, that's right - twice in the same election.

Vote fraud, delivered on a platter. Mr. Riley, you have some explaining to do....

I would hope the proper authorities would pursue.

Lautenschlager has sat on her hands as the integrity of the electoral process in Wisconsin repeatedly is under assault.

Integrity has been a cornerstone of this campaign, and voter integrity has been one of the fundamental issues in this race. In June we detailed our Voter Integrity Plan.

Create a new Elections and Public Integrity Unit within the Wisconsin Department of Justice and would make enforcement of state elections law one its principal assignments.
Assist the Legislature in drafting meaningful election reform, including a provision to require voters to show photo identification prior to obtaining a ballot.
Assign DOJ staff to monitor an Election Day Hotline and would dispatch personnel to polling areas that experience problems within an hour of reported incidents.
Create and lead Multi-jurisdictional Action Teams (MATs) to address unique election integrity challenges in different regions of the state.

Too many have turned a blind eye to this problem for so long. Things are so bad, it appears even politicians think they can get away with voting twice on the same day.

Wisconsin deserves better, and with your help on September 12th, I'll be one step closer to ending 16 years of Democrat mismanagement of the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

A word about the latest debate...

2006-08-10T14:39:00.000-05:00

Despite any assertions to the contrary, Paul Bucher and I have appeared at the same venue, before voters, more than 60 times this year, we’ve even debated twice this week and have nearly a half dozen more debates set up in the closing month.

I welcome the opportunity to compare our visions, our track records, our plans, our campaigns.

I'll admit the debate today was quite heated, and I should have done a better job of keeping my composure.

After Paul continued to conduct himself in, let's just say an incredibly annimated manner...interrupting, talking over me and the host, raising his voice, etc, I told him, off the air, that I thought his behavior and style ‘sucked.’

The voters deserve an honest debate on the issues that matter and I regret that I lowered myself to this level with my language choice.

I regret it and apologize.

It is vitally important that Republicans come together to defeat the Democrat candidate this fall. Exchanges like today could be good for the party. However, my opponent continues to distort my record in an attempt to build himself up. Voters deserve better.

The voters deserve better than what they've put up with for 16 years at the Department of Justice and, quite frankly, Republican voters deserve better than the name calling both candidates engaged in today.

I believe our campaign is proving to be the one with the organization, resources and plan to win and lead the Department of Justice. in Novermber.

We'll continue to keep our focus on the 16 years of Democrat mismanagement of that office and how we intend on righting that ship.

-J.B.

The AG and Ethics

2006-08-03T06:52:00.001-05:00

Challenging this attorney general on ethics is hardly a new occurence.

Let's review, shall we?

Van Hollen Questions Attorney General
Sunday, July 17, 2005

Van Hollen Proposes Travelgate Questions
Friday, October 21, 2005

Van Hollen Blasts Lautenschlager for Campaigning on Taxpayer's Dime
Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Lautenschlager Pads Coffers of Liberal Special Interest Group with Settlement Money
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Republican Leaders Call On Lautenschlager Ethics Probe
Friday, June 02, 2006

Van Hollen to AG: Investigate Kenosha Casino Deal
Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Van Hollen Procurement Integrity Plan
Tuesday, July 25, 2006

The attorney general should be the beacon of ethics and ethical behavior. Our current attorney general is not.

And the one before her? His name was Jim Doyle.

I continue to call for Attorney General Lautenschlager to look into several questionable occurences surrounding Jim Doyle's campaign. Including connections between state policy, the Kenosha casino, and campaign contributions.

The more we look at Governor Doyle’s campaign finances, the more questions we have. There are certainly enough questions to merit an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and if Peg Lautenschlager can’t conduct the investigation, she should explain why.

I have highlighted two lucrative contributions that raise questions.

A Washington Middle School teacher who gave the campaign $10,000 on February 3, 2006
A Kenosha registered nurse who contributed $5,000 on the same day

The two contributions were from individuals who had never given such massive amounts of individual money to any candidate previously. They were part of a significant haul for the Doyle campaign, which raised more than $171,000 from Kenosha residents on February 3, 2006. Not all the five and ten thousand dollar contributors were teachers and nurses. Several had ties to the Mohegan Tribe and the Mohegan Sun Casino. The Connecticut-based Mohegan Tribe is partners with the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin who are bidding to build a Kenosha casino.

I am not saying that there is proof of wrongdoing here. But, on their face, these donations certainly stand out. The Adelman Travel donation that raised eyebrows was only $20,000, we’re talking about at least one half million dollars in casino-related contributions overall.

According to Mark Marotta’s official calendar, Kenosha casino developer Dennis Troha met or called Department of Administration Secretary Mark Marotta four times in a six month period in 2003—2004.

September 2, 2003, Call between Marotta and Dennis Troha, 10-10:30am
September 8, 2003, Meeting with Marotta and Dennis Troha 12-1:00 pm
January 5, 2004, Dennis Troha will call Marotta 3:30-4:00 pm
March 15, 2004, Meeting with Marotta, Dennis Troha and Division of Gaming attorney Mike McClure

Last week, I pointed to several questionable developments regarding Indian gaming negotiations under Doyle in general and surrounding the Kenosha casino specifically. Among them:

Doyle’s policy conversion coinciding with increase in donations from casino interests
The hiring of outside counsel instead of the attorney general to represent the state, in violation of state law
The participation of former Tribal lobbyists as negotiators for the state

I believe enough red flags have been raised to merit an inquiry. Ethics matter.

Where is the attorney general?

-JB

Crime Lab Continues to Plague Attorney General, State

2006-07-31T11:53:00.000-05:00

This weekend’s report by The Associated Press shows that the backlogs at the state crime labs continue.

Our campaign has been focusing on the crime lab backlog issue for nearly a year.

While Lautenschlager requested four additional crime lab analysts in her last budget, she requested five full time positions to handle consumer protection. That’s outrageous.

While she spends 1,000 hours suing a cranberry grower who didn't even recieve a ticket, the backlog at the crime lab continues.

She has the wrong priorities and those wrong priorities are hurting our efforts to fight crime in Wisconsin.

As attorney general, I will take a different approach to DOJ in general and the crime labs in particular.

The Van Hollen Plan

Reorganize and reprioritize positions within the Department of Justice to put greater emphasis on forensics.

As long as the chain of custody can remain secure, look to out-source more of the work to reduce the backlog.

Help larger counties receive the resources and training to conduct computer forensics themselves.

Lautenschlager has the wrong priorities; rather than fixing the problem at the crime labs, she's using state resources to advance her political agenda.

Long time Waukesha County DA Paul Bucher’s answer is to throw more money at the problem. Like the continued violence in Milwaukee, his first instinctive reaction is to pump more money at the problem. That's not the conservative Republican way.

With 550 employees and a budget of more than $70 million, we must first ensure DOJ’s resources are being wisely used before automatically throwing more money at every problem that arises.

The continuing backlog at the crime labs is unacceptable and Attorney General Lautenschlager has proven to be incapable of eliminating it.

Calling on AG to Investigate of Kenosha Casino Deal

2006-07-26T11:41:00.000-05:00

Today the campaign issued a release, wherin I state that several questionable events surrounding the possible construction of a new casino in Kenosha merit a probe by Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

There are certainly enough incidents regarding these negotiations that justify involvement of the State Department of Justice. The more the public knows about how the proceedings surrounding the Kenosha casino, the more questions arise

Specifically, there are several questionable developments regarding Indian gaming negotiations under Doyle in general and surrounding the Kenosha casino specifically. Among them:

Doyle’s policy conversion coinciding with increase in donations from casino interests
The hiring of outside counsel instead of the attorney general to represent the state, in violation of state law
The participation of former Tribal lobbyists as negotiators for the state

Nearly a half million dollars of campaign contributions are tied to a deal that isn’t being negotiated in the traditional manner. So many red flags have been raised, if I was Attorney General, I certainly would be looking at this, regardless of the party affiliations of those involved.

While hundreds of thousands of dollars from casino interests are being dumped into Doyle's campaign to get him reelected, and the negotiations are under a cloud, the attorney general should not sit on her hands. As attorney general I would never sit on my hands while any official, the Governor included, flaunted the law, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

Find out more about my call for an investigation and my plans for ethics and state contracting reform here.

AG Should Lead the Way on Ethics

2006-07-25T11:38:00.000-05:00

The Attorney General has the ability to investigate and prosecute the growing list of ethics complaints against Governor Doyle. Instead of engaging in baseless crusades against law abiding farmers and businesses, the AG should look at possible breaches of the public trust occurring just down the hall from her Capitol office.

As Attorney General, I will not turn a blind eye to allegations that under Jim Doyle, Wisconsin's government has been for sale. Attorney General Lautenschlager, even though she has the authority to investigate possible crimes of public officials, would rather devote resources to persecute law abiding cranberry farmers. She has the wrong priorities.

While the Legislature and the Governor can make some much-needed changes to Wisconsin law to address many ethical problem areas in state government, the Attorney General should be more aggressive investigating and prosecuting violations of the current laws on the books.

There are several alleged ethical indiscretions the Attorney General's office should investigate right now.

Campaign donations to Doyle from HNTB which followed the granting of a no bid state contracts relating to the Marquette Interchange project
Circumstances surrounding an April 2005 meeting in a state office between then-Administration Secretary Marc Marotta and Philadelphia-area attorney Richard Schiffrin, who gave Doyle $10,000, the maximum allowed under state law, the same day. Doyle’s fundraiser is also listed on official documents as participating in the meeting on state property.
The acceptance of luxury suite use and game day tickets for the Governor and staff to a Green Bay Packers game at Chicago's Soldier field.
Allegations in Ozaukee County Circuit Court that the Doyle administration steered a construction contract for the Kenilworth building at UW Milwaukee to a prominent Doyle contributor.

Today our campaign unveiled the The Van Hollen Procurement Integrity Plan

The Plan includes establishing a Multi-jurisdictional Action Team (MAT) whose focus is to investigate and prosecute cases regarding public corruption. This new unit within the Department of Criminal Investigation will work with local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute allegations of political corruption at the local and state level. Under my plan, the DOJ would also work with local officials to ensure prompt and professional delivery of legal opinions on matters affecting local governments to such officials.

In addition to the Public Integrity MAT, I propose to centralize the investigation and prosecution of violations of state laws affecting official conduct of state officers in the DOJ.

I also support bi-partisan legislation to change Wisconsin law to:

Expand Wisconsin’s lobby law to cover procurement as a regulated lobbying activity.
Require any organization that submits a bid for any state contract over $25,000 to disclose whether any management employee of the organization has made a political contribution to a constitutional executive officer in Wisconsin over the last two years. Such disclosure would be made on a form included as part of the standard Bid Package.
Prohibit political contributions by company board members and management personnel of a bidding vendor to an executive officer during the period of time that a competitive bid is being reviewed for award. Just as lobbyists are restricted from making political contributions during the active period for consideration of state legislation, contract vendors should be similarly restricted during active review of pending bids.

The Attorney General should be the leader when it comes to ethics in Wisconsin. There is no excuse for the current lack of leadership and vision from the incumbent.

Wisconsin deserves better. We can have better, soon.

Forward!

Current Snapshot

2006-07-21T12:20:00.005-05:00

Available Cash on Hand

	July 1, 2005	July 1, 2006
JB VAN HOLLEN	$ 83,780	$417,254
PAUL BUCHER	$ 80,579	$ 85,397

Legislative Endorsements
VAN HOLLEN 41
BUCHER 7

County Sheriff Endorsements
VAN HOLLEN 26
BUCHER 3

District Attorney Endorsements
VAN HOLLEN 29
BUCHER 12

WisPolitics Republican Party 2006
Straw Poll of Grass Roots Activists
VAN HOLLEN 72%
BUCHER 28%

-Blog Adminstrator

Progress

2006-07-20T11:28:00.000-05:00

While I enjoy continuing to travel Wisconsin sharing my plan to implement Multi-jurisdictional Action Teams to fight crime in this state, today is one of the days during the campaign that political junkies eagerly anticipate for a completely different reason.

Today is the day that campaign finance reports are due at the State Elections Board.

Our report shows our campaign is in great shape. Each reporting period our campaign has raised more money from more individuals.

Like Mark Neumann, Tim Michels and many other candidates, my wife and I have invested in my own campaign. The report will indicate we've personally invested in our efforts to fight crime and restore integrity to the Department of Justice. You'll likely hear comments from my Primary opponents' campaign and from Democrats that I'm trying to buy this election. You know that's not true, and so do they. I'm not the first candidate to put some of my own money behind my campaign, and I won't be the last. So, while candidates contributing to their own campaigns is hardly new (heck, even my primary opponent gave his campaign a significant loan last year) it will likely be the focus of some media attention.

One thing is clear. Our campaign is clearly emerging as the organization with the financial and grassroots resources to win the race.

Organizationally, ours is the only campaign in the race to receive the endorsement of the Wisconsin State Troopers Association (the sole statewide law enforcement organization to weigh in on the race). In addition, we have the support of 26 county sheriffs from across Wisconsin and are endorsed by 41 state legislators (including my Primary opponent's own State Representative) and 29 district attorneys, by far the most of any candidate for attorney general. I am humbled and quite appreciative of this outpouring of support.

This grassroots organization is paying off every day (see my blog entry below regarding our Independence Day activities).

And thanks to hundreds of folks across Wisconsin who contribute to the campaign every month, we also will have the financial wherewithal to compete against the eventual Democrat nominee this fall. We enter the final months of this race with more than $417,000 on hand. As you know costs for brochures, yard signs, radio and tv commercials go up every year. This money will help us get our message out as the campaign reaches the home stretch.

I am appreciative of all the support I have received so far. If you'd like to join us, either as a volunteer or a financial contributor, please do so today by going to www.vanhollenforag.com.

Together, we can continue to build upon our successes and finally end 16 years of Democrat mismanagement at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

-J.B.

Thank You

2006-07-18T10:38:00.000-05:00

I have to admit, I've let the blog slip in the last month. My only excuse is that we've been so busy on the campaign trail! We'll update things more frequently in the future.

But I'd like to take this opportunity to particularly thank the hundreds of volunteers who have walked with me in parades, helped introduce me to their families and friends during local civic festivals and have continued to call our office with offers of assistance.

We're building a great team.

While I am proud of the support I've received from law enforcement and public officials, you are the heart and soul of our efforts.

With out you, the Van Hollen team couldn't cover as much ground as we are.

We're the only campaign in this race with a true statewide grassroots organization and for that I am extremely grateful.

-J.B.

P.S. For an example of just how fantastic you all have been, take a look at the kind of ground we were able to cover over the Independence Day Weekend. Thanks again!

Over the Independence Day Weekend, I walked in the following parades: Mequon-Thiensville, Oconomowoc, Grafton, Hartland, Menomonee Falls, Oak Creek, Merton/Stonebank and Hartford.

However, our efforts did not stop there. Our team had volunteers working in the following communities: Eastman, Boscobel, Hudson, Cudahy, Sun Prairie, West Allis, Racine, Town of Brookfield, Wauwatosa, West Bend, City of Brookfield, Glendale, Greendale, Waterford, Raymond, Waukesha, New Berlin, Delavan, Campbellsport, Prairie du Chien, Cedarburg, Bailey's Harbor, Superior, Mercer, Augusta, La Crosse, Chetek, Franklin, St. Germain and Eagle River.

Falk Doesn't Want to Protect Integrity of Electoral Process

2006-06-21T13:36:00.000-05:00

Seems like I struck a nerve.

Yesterday the campaign released our plan to ensure the integrity of elections in Wisconsin:

“Lautenschlager has failed to address the integrity of the ballot in Wisconsin and that is downright shameful,” said Van Hollen. “The Attorney General is the state's top lawyer, and as such has a responsibility to act when an agency's actions put the state in legal jeopardy of a federal lawsuit and undermines the integrity of our elections. Instead, she has done nothing."

The State Elections Board has decided to ignore federal law, which requires that if new registrants have been issued a drivers license, they present that drivers license to register. Instead, the State Elections Board, against the legal opinions of its own counsel, the Federal Department of Justice and Federal Election Commission, has placed the state in legal jeopardy by allowing use of the last four digits of a social security number for identification, even for registrants who have been issued a drivers license.

“For the Attorney General to sit idly by in the face of all of the evidence of problems with elections and potential fraud is a clear neglect of duty,” said Van Hollen. “This is just another example where politics, and not the public interest, drives the Wisconsin Department of Justice.”

In addition to calling Lautenschlager to fulfill her duties over the Elections
Board’s disregard of the law, Van Hollen outlined his Election Integrity Plan.
1. Van Hollen will create a new Elections and Public Integrity Unit within the Wisconsin Department of Justice and would make enforcement of state elections law one its principal assignments.

2. Van Hollen will assist the Legislature in drafting meaningful election reform, including a provision to require voters to show photo identification prior to obtaining a ballot.

3. Van Hollen will assign DOJ staff to monitor an Election Day Hotline and would dispatch personnel to polling areas that experience problems within an hour of reported incidents.

4. Finally, Van Hollen will create and lead Multi-jurisdictional Action Teams (MATs) to address unique election integrity challenges in different regions of the state.

The Election Integrity Multi-Jurisdictional Action Teams would:
· Effectively coordinate state, federal and local law enforcement and prosecution resources to properly police both Election Day activities and the increasingly important pre-election activities.
· Organize and recruit off-duty and retired law enforcement personnel to assist regional MATs in election monitoring.
· Closely monitor the "deputy registrar" efforts of groups that criminally violated the statutes in the past, with a particular focus on groups that pay for registration
efforts.

It didn't take long to get a response. But it wasn't from Lautenschlager. Instead her Democrat Challenger, Kathy Falk, had a snit and said our plan was a 'gimmick'.

Well, Kathy Falk has a reason to be concerned that our campaign is focusing on the integrity of the electoral process.

She has several ethical problems regarding her own election and Madison and Dane County has had their share of political and electoral shenanigans.

A Dane County employee is under scrutiny for engaging in political activity assisting Falk while under paid leave.

A Dane County worker who's a union official is on another extended leave of absence, this one with pay.

And whatever is preventing Highway Department employee Tim Sullivan from working, it's not stopping him from involvement in politics.

County officials confirmed Sullivan began this leave May 2. Officials said personnel rules prohibit them from discussing the nature of the leave.

On June 9, Sullivan attended the first day of the Wisconsin Democratic Party Convention in La Crosse.
Photographs obtained by 27 News show Sullivan wearing a "Falk" tee shirt....

Sullivan's union leave began January 7, shortly after Sullivan publicly endorsed County Executive Kathleen Falk's run for state attorney general, and on the same day his union also endorsed Falk.

While outrageous, it shouldn't come as a surprise that local government workers in Madison go out of their way to use tax dollars to assist liberal campaign.

After a huge Democrat get out the vote rally in Madison and in the wake of an organized effort by the John Kerry campaign to push absentee voting in 2004, the City Clerk there discarded their normal operational procedures to meet the party's needs.

By the way, a Legislative Audit Bureau report uncovered that in that particular election in Madison, 57 felons illegally voted.

Our Elections Reform Plan is about integrity. I understand why Lautenschlager and now Falk would have problems with that.

Van Hollen Fight Crime, Restore Integrity Tour

2006-06-09T15:15:00.000-05:00

This weekend, while Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and her primary opponent Dane County Executive Kathy Falk ventured out of Madison to try to "out liberal" each other on the stage of the Dem Party convention in LaCrosse, our campaign is taking the Mobile Campaign Headquarters out for its initial run.

As a successful second quarter of fundraising and grassroots organizing comes to a close this month, the Van Hollen campaign is taking to the roads of Wisconsin, in a big way. Shown here, the Van Hollen Mobile Campaign Headquarters will serve as both a traveling billboard for the campaign and as a base of operations for JB as he travels the state this summer and fall.

JB Van Hollen is the candidate for Attorney General who understands the needs of the entire state, not just one region or city. The former US Attorney whose jurisdiction included 44 of Wisconsin's 72 counties, JB's campaign has and will continue to criss-cross all of Wisconsin as he touts his Fight Crime and Restore Integrity agenda.

"I'm not merely focusing on Milwaukee or Madison," said Van Hollen. "I am running to become the Attorney General of the entire state of Wisconsin and I'm proud to be continuing the most aggressive campaign within the grassroots of our party."

Van Hollen's grassroots support is impressive. He has posted two resounding victories in consecutive straw polls among party activists at the Republican Party of Wisconsin State Convention. He has secured the endorsements of 38 Republican legislators, 24 county sheriffs and 29 county district attorneys--by far the most of any candidate in the race.

Besides leading his primary opponent in fundraising, JB has also been gathering significant media attention out of state, which is indicative of his statewide campaign and broad appeal.

Here's a recent sample:

Wisconsin State Journal

Chippewa Herald

CBS 5 - Green Bay, WI

Boots and Sabers

Of course, June is Dairy Month, and that means County Dairy Breakfasts. These events are a great opportunity for JB to hear directly from the rural and agricultural communities about their concerns (They're not too pleased that Peg Lautenschlager likes suing farmers, by the way). Indeed, JB has dozens of Dairy Breakfasts on his calendar for the weeks ahead.

Just today, while on the campaign trail, JB conducted a newspaper interview in Sparta, a television interview in Eau Claire and three radio interviews along the way. Now with the Mobile Campaign Headquarters, it's even easier for reporters to find our candidate amongst the throngs of attendees at these community events.

And while we know those who fear a JB victory will snicker about 'a heavily armed recreational vehicle,' this Mobile HQ will be a huge benefit to the campaign and to the hundreds of grassroots volunteers who will staff JB this summer. (And, truth be told, even we've made a few references to the movie Stripes--it's ok).

JB is taking the campaign all across the Badger State, and with the Mobile Campaign Headquarters he'll be able to set up operations in any city, town or village. Look for us in your neck of the woods soon.

-Blog Administrator

Lautenschalger and Ethics

2006-06-05T15:03:00.000-05:00

Last week, JB and the Majority Leaders in the both the Wisconsin State Assembly and Wisconsin State Senate, asked the Ethics Board to launch a probe of Attorney General Lautenschlager for her $50,000 giveaway to the notorious political group, Wisconsin Citizen Action.

Immediately after JB and Representative Mike Huebsch and Senator Dale Schultz sent the letter to the Ethics Board, Deputy Attorney General Dan Bach issued a reply. It is a bit confusing if his reply was on behalf of Lautenschlager, her campaign or the State Department of Justice as a whole.

As Juston Johnson, our campaign's director of operations, notes today, the Bach letter raises more questions than it provides answers.

2. Does this letter represent an opinion of DOJ, or is it your personal opinion?
3. Either way, what fact investigation and legal analysis did you undertake in just the 5 hours ittook you to reach your legal conclusion? Who ordered you to do so on state time and using stateresources?
4. Your letter speaks for the Lautenschlager campaign and Lautenschlager as a candidate. That is who receives the benefit referred to in the Complaint. Are you the
personal attorney for Lautenschlager and the attorney representing the Lautenschlager campaign in this complaint? If not, who is, and if not, why do
you make statements on their behalf?
5. Why is the response of an alleged violation of Lautenschlager personally and the Lautenschlager campaign on state letterhead? Why is it under the signature of the “Deputy Attorney General?”

Read the whole letter, here.

-Blog Administrator

Lautenschlager needs to fight real crime

2006-05-31T10:25:00.000-05:00

The Attorney General’s response to the violence in Milwaukee this past weekend has been disgustingly quiet.

She's AWOL on fighting violent gun crime in Wisconsin's largest city.

Apparently, Peg Lautenschlager is too busy suing law abiding farmers in northern Wisconsin and fighting the EPA, Department of Education and FDA to actually focus on fighting crime in the highest crime area of the state.

We need more than a long-term action plan, though; we need to do something now.

Ten point plans, blue ribbon panels and study committees won’t deter the thugs, punks and gang bangers.

Hassling law abiding gun shops won’t get illegal guns off the streets.

Peace rallies won’t keep the peace.

Last month when I outlined my approach to fighting crime in Wisconsin I proposed the deployment of Multi-jurisdictional Action Teams, or MATs to leverage federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to tackle the state’s most pressing problems.

Clearly, the gun violence in Milwaukee is one of the state’s most pressing problems.

The attorney general should be taking the lead here.

As US Attorney, I helped spearhead such an effort in Janesville and Beloit as a part of project safe neighborhoods. We had an immediate and noticeable impact both as law enforcement and as a deterrent to criminal activity.

We can do this in Milwaukee, today, if Peg Lautenschlager would bother to pay attention.

1. The state should work with feds and locals to put more ‘boots on the ground’ in Milwaukee. Criminal investigators should investigate criminals not cranberry farmers.

2. Criminals need to know the revolving door for criminals who use a weapon in the commission of a crime is now closed. Advertise and promote the new get tough campaign.

3. Prosecutors must bring about the most serious charges every time a gun is used when a crime is committed.

4. The Feds, the state and the locals must work together on deciding who is charged and the enforcement and prosecution must be aggressive.

Coordination among law enforcement agencies is not rocket science. It doesn’t take years to make happen. It takes leadership.

The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer in Wisconsin.

Where the hell is she?

-JB

Outrageous Parole of Cop KillersMust Not Go Unchallenged

2006-05-16T02:44:00.000-05:00

This week is National Police Week and law enforcement officers across the state have a right to be outraged.

We must stand together with law enforcement and demand that Governor Doyle’s Chairman of the State Parole Commission, Leonard Wells, be let go immediately.

Doyle’s appointee as Parole Commission Chairman has allowed two men convicted of killing Milwaukee police officers in the 1970’s to be released on parole.

Doyle’s appointee mocks the service of law enforcement who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Wells himself should know better, he’s a former Milwaukee police officer.

But I guess it shouldn’t really shock anyone that Doyle hand picked an appointee who would be soft on cop killers.

His appointee’s action not only shows a lack of respect for his fallen law enforcement brethren, but also the "soft on crime" approach that both Jim Doyle and our current AG, Peg Lautenschlager, have shown throughout their tenure. The department of Justice has been more concerned about social activism than crime fighting for nearly 16 years now.

Doyle refuses to take responsibility for the fact that these cop killers are free men. He wants to lay all the blame at Wells’ feet. This fits the pattern. Under Doyle and now Lautenschlager, the office of Attorney General has followed a "What, me worry?" approach to crime in Wisconsin.

156 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2005. While I thank God that no officers in Wisconsin were killed in the line of duty last year, I am painfully aware that 12 officers from our neighbors Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota made the ultimate sacrifice. 55 officers across the country have already fallen this year.

Letting cop killers run free mocks not only their service, but the service of everyone who has ever worn a badge.

Leonard Wells should immediately resign in disgrace before he lets more cop killers loose.

Further, Governor Doyle should be held accountable for the actions of his appointee. I can assure you Mark Green would not appoint someone who would let cop killers free.

Finally, Doyle, Lautenschlager and Falk should be held into account for their lack of outrage over this situation.

Of all weeks to allow such a miscarriage of justice to go unchallenged...

Here's the letter I sent Lautenschlager

2006-05-09T18:19:00.000-05:00

May 9, 2006

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager
HAND DELIVERED
Wisconsin Department of Justice
P.O. Box 7857
Madison, WI 53707-7857

Dear Madame Attorney General:

As you know, there continues to be a significant backlog in the processing of forensic evidence at the State Crime Labs. Law enforcement agencies across the state continue to ask for more help and more resources from the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, I am extremely concerned that precious departmental resources are being used to pursue frivolous, ideologically-motivated, partisan-driven lawsuits.

I would like to know how significant that amount is. Therefore, the following request is submitted pursuant Wisconsin's Open Records law.

In the below requests, the term "Political Litigation" refers to the following legal actions to which the Department of Justice is currently, or has been, a participant: (1) Case against the FDA related to the "morning after" pill; (2) Case against the EPA related to air quality; (3) Case against American Electric Power Company; the Southern Company; Tennessee Valley Authority; Xcel Energy Inc.; and Cinergy Corporation.related to global warming; (4) Case against the federal government related to the NCLB Act; and (5) The case against William Zawistowski's cranberry farm in Northern Wisconsin. The term "Records" refers to any information or document, no matter the format in which it is kept, including all electronic formats.

The following Records are requested:

All Records containing any information on DOJ staff time and staff assignments related to the Political Litigation, including, but not limited to, any time on research, drafting, correspondence, support staff, meetings, teleconferences, travel, and press and public relations efforts.

All records containing any information on expenditures by DOJ, including internal and external expenditure, related to the Political Litigation, including, but not limited to, any expenditures on research, drafting, correspondence, support staff, meetings, teleconferences, travel, and press and public relations efforts.

All correspondence, memorandum, notes, press releases, speeches, and drafts of the same, or any other documents, related to the Political Litigation.

Meeting notes, records, colander entries, and any other document related to the participation of the Attorney General or Deputy Attorney General in the Political Litigation.

I appreciate your prompt and courtesy response to my inquiry.

Sincerely

JB Van Hollen

More Special Interest-Motivated Actions by DOJ

2006-04-27T18:13:00.000-05:00

Wisconsin joined New York, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont in filing a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency over its decision not to regulate carbon dioxide pollution as a contributor to global warming. Lautenschlager is suing the EPA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, along with, and at the behest of, several liberal environmental groups including the Sierra Club.

This afternoon, JB issued the following statement in response to the new lawsuit:

“Peg Lautenschlager continues to engage in politically-motivated lawsuits across the country intended only to curry favor with liberal special interest groups. She wastes precious state resources to advance her outlandish set of priorities. The people of Wisconsin will be better served when we have an attorney general who is focused on fighting real crime here in Wisconsin.”

For more information on Lautenschlager’s skewed priorities, go to: www.leavenospecialinterestbehind.com

-Blog Administrator

On Terrorism

2006-04-26T16:25:00.000-05:00

In response to questions raised during and after the Madison press conference today, JB said the following:

"Terrorism is a threat in Wisconsin. It would be naïve and irresponsible to assume otherwise, The Attorney General must, like all law enforcement, remain vigilant regarding all possible threats to public safety

"The DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation’s Special Assignments Bureau is responsible for issues involving domestic security and terrorism. This includes looking out for organized plots to disrupt security here by committing widespread violence, conducting bioterrorism and interrupting economic activity. The DOJ’s Special Assignments Bureau is also the Wisconsin liaison for INTERPOL, the agency which promotes mutual assistance among law enforcement authorities in the prevention of international crimes.

"Twenty eight county district attorneys, 20 county sheriffs and 36 prominent elected Republican legislators are backing my campaign because they know I have the experience and integrity to fight crime as Attorney General. This includes fighting cyber-crime, the scourge of methamphetamine, and the threat posed by potential terrorists here."

-JB Van Hollen

New Vision, New Priorities

2006-04-26T16:19:00.000-05:00

New Vision
It’s time for a new vision in Madison. Based on his experience as a local and federal prosecutor, JB will bring an innovative new vision to the Department of Justice.

The job of the Attorney General is to fight crime and enforce the law, not arbitrarily make policy or create new laws. The main difference JB Van Hollen will bring to the Department of Justice is a renewed, firm, and aggressive focus on criminal justice, which promotes inter-agency cooperation, not partisan activism.

New Vision: Reprioritize and Reexamine the use of Resources

With 550 employees and a budget of more than $70 million, the Department of Justice must do a better job with the resources it has before asking state taxpayers for more funding. JB will therefore immediately run the Department on the principles of zero-based budgeting

New Vision: A Sweeping reform to Take Crime to the MAT

The Wisconsin Attorney General is taking a 20th Century approach to 21st Century criminal justice issues. In the complex nature of many of our most serious threats, no one law enforcement unit be it DOJ, Milwaukee police, or the Washburn police department can possibly meet those threats alone. DOJ and the state leading law enforcement officer personally should be the driving catalysis to put together regional partnerships and expertise

Building off his experience as a local and federal prosecutor, JB will establish Multijurisdictional Action Teams to coordinate train and assist local law enforcement. These teams would engage in a cooperative effort to not only fight crime but also to make internal procedural changes that reflect best practices and suggest needed changes in policy

New Priorities
It’s time to change the priorities in Madison. Based on his experience as a local and federal prosecutor, JB will dramatically change the priorities of the Department of Justice.

New Priority: Empower Local Law Enforcement with the Tools they Need

Local law enforcement officials would make up the bulk of the Multijurisdictional Action Teams
Reorganize and reprioritize positions within the Department of Justice to put greater emphasis on forensics to reduce the backlog at the State Crime Labs
Help larger counties receive the resources and training to conduct some computer forensic work themselves
Constantly review the need for additional local prosecutors

New Priority: Focus on Fighting Crime

Immediately dismiss all public nuisance lawsuits
Specifically work on the problem of violent gang and gun crime in Milwaukee
Lead the fight against methamphetamine and other drugs.
Coordinate anti-terrorism efforts

New Priority: Lead the Fight Against Public Corruption

Lead a new MAT whose sole focus is to investigate and prosecute cases regarding public corruption. This new unit within the Department of Criminal Investigation will work with local law enforcement to investigate not only political corruption but also all cases of police misconduct throughout Wisconsin
Lead anew unit whose focus is to ensure the validity of all state and local electionsd a

Crime Lab Backlog

2006-04-20T14:32:00.000-05:00

According to a Wisconsin State Journal story last August, the director of the Madison office of the State Crime lab said that there were 2,159 cases waiting for analysis statewide with 950 of them over 90 days old. Wednesday, a Madison television station, WKOW, highlighted a case where the backlog has hampered the murder investigation of three Beloit women

Eliminating the backlog at the State Crime Lab will be part of the “Van Hollen Agenda to Fight Crime and Restore Integrity,” which will be unveiled across Wisconsin next week.

"Maybe if the Attorney General would spend less time at rallies for illegal immigration and gay rights and more time focusing on the problems at her crime lab, there wouldn't be such a backlog." JB in today's release.

Conservatives' DebateSponsored By Boots & SabersWill it Still Take Place?

2006-04-14T07:29:00.000-05:00

We don't know if the conservatives' debate, sponsored by Boots & Sabers, will still happen. If it does, it is JB's intention to participate. He's looking forward to discussing his impressive record as a prosecutor and his agenda to fight crime and restore integrity as attorney general.

Some interesting developments are noted here.

-Blog Administrator

Campaign Update

2006-04-12T09:47:00.000-05:00

From Van Hollen campaign spokesman, Brian Fraley:

"42 percent undecided.

"But expect to hear folks make a lot of noise about the most recent Saint Norbert College Attorney General's race poll results.

"While we won't let false accusations go unanswered, nothing is more boring and politically stupid than a tit-for-tat between campaign supporters--especially in a Republican Primary. While it may make for interesting copy, and Xoff and company will eat it up, Lord knows the party doesn't need that.

"I'm proud to say that JB has focused his attention on the two Democrats, one of whom will be his real opponent in November. You can find out more about that here and here.

"This race is about who is the best choice to end more than a decade of Democrat mismanagement at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

"So, I'll just share with you part of a statement I, as a spokesman for the Van Hollen campaign, released to the AP last night as they were preparing their article on a recent poll.

Response to St. Norbert Poll
'We've been saying all along we're the candidate in the best position to win the Primary and General election and nothing in this poll indicates otherwise.
"Such a huge undecided vote, coupled with being five months away from the Primary means the infrastructure of a campaign is that much more important, and Bucher can't match Van Hollen's operation.
"JB Van Hollen has the superior experience, the integrity and the temperament to fight crime as Wisconsin's top cop."
Money:
"According to the most recent campaign finance reports on file with the State Elections Board, excluding loans to the campaigns, Van Hollen raised $208,885 in 2005 while his opponent raised $193,716.
Organization:
"JB has the conservative base of the party, its infrastructure, men and women, young and old on his side.
"Folks like Jim Klauser, Margaret Farrow, Mike Grebe are with JB Van Hollen because they respect JB, his track record and his agenda to fight crime and restore integrity. They know JB Van Hollen can and will win in November.
"We have the endorsements from individuals who put their name on the line, this matters in an AG race.
28 county district attorneys to Bucher's 15 (according to Bucher's website)
18 county sheriffs to Bucher's 3
and JB has the support of dozens more Republican state legislators than does his opponent
Grassroots
"In the largest survey of Republican Party of Wisconsin faithful to date, the 2005 WisPolitics straw poll conducted at the state convention, Van Hollen rolled over his primary opponent by a vote of 84-15%
"JB Van Hollen has built the stronger campaign and will win because he has the superior experience, the integrity and the temperament to win the primary and then end 16 years of Democrat mismanagement of the Department of Justice."

What part of illegal don't they understand?

2006-04-10T09:14:00.000-05:00

Media reports indicate the Democrat candidates for Attorney General are going to support breaking the law today.

From JSOnline DayWatch:

In Madison, students are planning to skip school to participate in the city's immigration rally. The rally will end at the Capitol at noon, and a program -
featuring, among others, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and her electoral primary opponent, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk - will follow from noon to 1 p.m.

First of all, it’s not merely an immigration rally. It’s a protest in favor of granting rights to illegal aliens, who are in this country without the proper authorization and documentation. They are here illegally.

More significantly, the Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer in the state. The state’s ‘Top Cop,’ if you will. The job is all about enforcing the law.

Attending a rally that celebrates granting rights to those who break the law is absolutely ludicrous.

As your attorney general, I will fight crime and restore integrity to the office. I will not celebrate lawlessness.

Falk and Lautenschlager should be ashamed of themselves for not only attending but participating in the demonstration.

This is just a latest in a series of moves by the current attorney general, wherein she uses her official position to appease a liberal special interest group.

You can read more about her antics, and why her Democrat opponent is no better, at http://www.leavenospecialinterestbehind.com/.

Others Are Taking Note

2006-04-07T19:26:00.000-05:00

Even Democrats have noticed Lautenschlager's been kissing up to the special interests.

JB's been taking the lead; pointing out for months how the Attorney general has been using her office to appease liberal special interest groups.

This week, our campaing launched the website www.leavenospecialinterestbehind.com

It raised a few feathers in Peg's camp, and now Lautenschlager's primary opponent weighs in.

--Blog Administrator

Lautenschlager Continues to Use AG Office Press Staff for Political Responses

Madison - Peg Lautenschlager has issued another press release from her AG office that responds directly to charges made by her political opponents.

Falk campaign spokesperson Melissa Mulliken pointed out that, “It is wrong that Lautenschlager used a press release this week generated from her government office and by taxpayer-paid staff to respond to a challenge from Republican candidates...

Leave No Special Interest Behind--Update

2006-04-06T13:52:00.000-05:00

What timing!

Lautenschlager Rebuffed in another Bid to Appease Special Interests
Latest Incident Chronicled at Van Hollen Website; Cranberry suit thrown out
www.LeaveNoSpecialInterestBehind.com

[Waukesha, WI] Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager can now count another attempt to kiss up to a liberal special interest group among her growing list of legal failures.
On Wednesday, Circuit Court Judge John Anderson dismissed a lawsuit brought by Lautenschlager against a cranberry operation on the shore of Musky Bay on the Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa reservation. When she filed the suit in 2004, Lautenschlager was wildly praised by liberal environmental groups.

“She may have appeased the Sierra Club, but at what cost to the state?” asked Republican JB Van Hollen, a candidate for Attorney General. “Wisconsin deserves an attorney general who is guided by the law, not by the agenda of liberal political special interest groups.”

The judge dismissed the suit, indicating the situation was not a public nuisance and saying it “has yet to reach the level of an unreasonable interference.” Van Hollen says a better course of action for Lautenschlager would have been to work with the business owner to protect the environment.

“This is another in a string of examples where Lautenschlager has taken a sue-first, ask questions later approach toward business,” said Van Hollen. “She sees liberal interest groups as friends whose support she desperately needs, regardless of the legal merits or the costs to the State.”

Earlier this week, in a blatant attempt to kiss up to WEAC, the state’s teacher’s union, Lautenschlager joined the State of Connecticut in an amicus brief in the case of the Pontiac School District v the U.S. Secretary of Education arguing the federal government cannot impose unfunded and costly educational mandates to state and local governments through the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

“Peg Lautenschlager is not focused on fighting crime. Her one true focus is her own reelection,” said Van Hollen. “The No Child Left Behind suit was the latest in a pattern of frivolous actions aimed at propping up an embattled politician, and this week’s decision in Sawyer County proves she’s being irresponsible in her actions.”

Van Hollen’s campaign has chronicled the Sawyer County case and all of Lautenschlager’s special interest driven activity at the website www.leavenospecialinterestbehind.com.

Van Hollen, who is endorsed by the most district attorneys and sheriffs of any candidate for attorney general, is the former United States Attorney for Western Wisconsin. He also formerly served as the district attorney in both Ashland and Bayfield Counties.

The Priority Should be to Fight Crime

2006-04-05T11:31:00.000-05:00

We've been discussing the Attorney General's ridiculous priorities on the campaign stump for nearly a year. In December, we issued this release on one specific episode.

Well, now, we've compiled a handy resource for one stop shopping.

A compilation of the Attorney General's wet sloppy special interest kisses.

Lautenschlager’s Passive Attitude Toward Doyle’s Ethics Slammed

2006-03-29T14:33:00.000-06:00

The campaign issued this press release this afternoon. An excerpt:

Lautenschlager’s Passive Attitude Toward Doyle’s Ethics Slammed
JB Van Hollen Will Restore Focus on Integrity as AG

[Waukesha, Wisc…] Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager isn’t taking Governor Doyle’s ethical lapses seriously, Republican JB Van Hollen charged today.

“Every week we hear about another allegation of some interest getting a state contract that just coincidentally also was or becomes a donor to the Doyle
campaign,” said Van Hollen, a former federal prosecutor. “The Attorney General is either being pressured into silence or outright approves of Doyle’s fundraising tactics, either way, Wisconsin deserves better from their top cop.”

In recent days the press has uncovered that months after landing lucrative state contracts, executives from two out-of-state consulting firms gave enormous donations to Doyle’s re-election campaign. The Capital Times reported that executives from Chicago based Equis Corp and Indianapolis-bases Crowe Chizek gave more than $45,000 to the Governor’s campaign account once they won lucrative consulting contracts with the State. This was the first time anyone from either company had given significant cash to any candidate in Wisconsin.

Blog Ads

2006-03-29T13:06:00.000-06:00

The campaign is now advertising on some local web logs.

Let us know what you think.

BREAKING NEWS: Mike Grebe Endorses Van Hollen

2006-03-24T11:16:00.000-06:00

I'm extremely honored to have the support of Mike Grebe. He is a man of strong principles and has been a leader in the Republican Party for years. We are very excited to have him on our team.

Yet another influential Republican leader has endorsed JB in his campaign for Attorney General. Mike Grebe, former Republican National Committeeman from
Wisconsin has formally endorsed Van Hollen.

"JB is a man with tremendous experience and high ethical standards. He has the qualifications that Wisconsin needs in an Attorney General," said Grebe. "His impressive track record of fighting crime, both at the state and federal level, shows that he is the only one who can bring the Wisconsin Department of Justice back on track."

Grebe is currently President of the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation, a private, Milwaukee-based, grant making institution established in 1985. The Bradley Foundation supports programs and studies to improve the life of the community through increasing cultural and educational opportunities, economic development, and effective humane social and health services.

In addition to being a former Republican National Committeeman, Grebe also served as General Counsel to the RNC during 1996-2000. He was also Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

The widely respected Grebe joins former Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairmen David Opitz and Mike Borden as party leaders endorsing Van Hollen. Former Waukesha State Senator and Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow from Waukesha County has also endorsed Van Hollen's campaign and is serving as his treasurer.

AG Candidate Visits Wisconsin Rapids

2006-03-22T12:36:00.000-06:00

From the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune:

J.B. Van Hollen, a Republican candidate for Wisconsin attorney general, visited Wisconsin Rapids on Monday as part of his campaign for office.

The former U.S. Attorney for Wisconsin's western district spoke at a Noon Rotary meeting about some of the top crime issues facing the state, including computer crime, terrorism and methamphetamines.

"We have huge issues facing us which require a different type of leadership," Van Hollen said. Terrorism wasn't considered a local problem five years ago, he said. And computer crime and methamphetamines weren't the widespread threats they are today.

Van Hollen, a 40-year-old Waunakee resident, said local law enforcement agencies need the resources and support of the attorney general to help fight crime.

"I think the public is looking for an attorney general that is going to be focused on law enforcement," he said.

Van Hollen said he has proven law enforcement leadership in his role as U.S. Attorney for Wisconsin's western district, which covers 44 counties. It's a position President Bush appointed him to in 2002.

He resigned in January 2005 to begin dedicating more time to his campaign for office, and he continues to practice law at the Madison-based law firm DeWitt Ross & Stevens.

Van Hollen will face off against fellow Republican candidate Paul Bucher, a district attorney for Waukesha County, in the primary on Sept. 12. The winner will move on to the general election Nov. 7.
"You can vote for a district attorney and hope he can do the job, or vote for someone like me who has done something similar and who can do the job," he said.

Democratic candidates include Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and Kathleen Falk, who is serving as Dane County executive.

Lautenschlager Wrong on Plan B Suit

2006-03-15T15:29:00.000-06:00

Today, Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced that the state of Wisconsin has petitioned to be added as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the FDA. The FDA is being challenged because it has postponed its decision to allow “Plan B” birth control pills to be allowed over the counter.

I can’t believe that our Attorney General is using the state’s resources to fight something like this, when there are areas of the state dealing with drug and crime problems that more dearly deserve her attention. This is a horrible use of our tax dollars.

Moreover, her description of the births that result from unintended pregnancies as drains on the state treasury is morally reprehensible; on whichever side of the abortion/life divide you stand.

It’s obvious that Peg Lautenschlager is running in a Democrat primary, because she is only pandering to the narrow, ideological base of the Democrat Party.

As Attorney General, I would not join such a suit.

The campaign issued the following release today:
Van Hollen Calls Lautenschlager's Attempt to Join Plan B Suit
Financially Irresponsible, Morally
Reprehensible

[Waukesha, Wisc…] JB Van Hollen is calling Attorney General PegLautenschlager’s latest political stunt morally deplorable and a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“For anyone to justify spending tax dollars on such a political lawsuit with the argument that the state could really save money if more pregnancies are terminated quickly is mind-boggling and more than a bit grotesque,” said Van Hollen, the former US Attorney and Republican candidate for Attorney
General.

Lautenschlager today requested permission in federal court to intervene in a case against the federal Food and Drug Administration related to over-the-counter sales of emergency contraception known as "Plan B."

In press reports, Lautenschlager actually said the difficulty in obtaining the controversial drug has had a negative impact on Wisconsin taxpayers, with the state's Medicaid program covering many of the financial costs of unintended pregnancies.

“Treating human beings as merely a drain on the state treasury shows a callous disregard for all life,” said Van Hollen. “Furthermore, I can’t believe that our Attorney General is using the state’s resources to fight something like this, when we should be focusing our attention on fighting the spread of methamphetamine, heroin and violent crime.”

Van Hollen is the former United States Attorney for Western Wisconsin and a Republican candidate for Wisconsin Attorney General. He also formerly served as the district attorney in both Ashland and Bayfield Counties.

Van Hollen is endorsed by more district attorneys and sheriffs than any candidate for attorney general.

Death Penalty

2006-03-07T13:42:00.000-06:00

Today, the State Senate is set to debate, SJR 5, which would allow state voters to cast their ballots in an advisory referendum on the death penalty.

I've received a few questions recently regarding my stance on the death penalty.

Well, I favor giving prosecutors the option of seeking capital punishment in a few select cases.

The campaign issued this release today, which explains the Senate Resolution and my stance in a bit more detail.

Federal prosecutors and prosecutors in more than 30 other states have this option at their disposal. As a former United States Attorney, I understand the issue isn't one to be taken lightly.

This is a long held belief. And the death penalty is an option that should be reserved for only the most heinous crimes.

Press Release

2006-03-03T15:06:00.000-06:00

REPRESENTATIVE MUSSER ENDORSES VAN HOLLEN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
Calls on Bucher Campaign to Quit Misleading Voters

[Black River Falls, WI.] State Representative Terry Musser has endorsed JB Van Hollen for Attorney General, despite claims by the Bucher campaign that the Black River Falls lawmaker is in their camp.

“I support JB because he’s a straight shooter who will fight crime and restore integrity to the Department of Justice. Wisconsin faces serious methamphetamine and heroin problems, which can best be tackled with JB as attorney general,” said Musser. “I do not support Paul Bucher and he should quit telling voters that I’m on his team.”

Bucher lists Musser as a supporter on his campaign website.

This is not the first time the Bucher campaign has claimed to have endorsements it does not actually have.

In November of last year, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Bucher campaign was improperly listing four distinguished county prosecutors from across Wisconsin as supporters. The Bucher campaign claimed to maintain the support of district attorneys that are supporting Van Hollen.

“JB has the record and experience that the people of Wisconsin want. He’ll focus the attorney general’s office on fighting crime,” said Musser. “He’s the only candidate who will bring accountability and credibility back to the attorney general’s office.”

Van Hollen is the former United States Attorney for Western Wisconsin and a Republican Candidate for Wisconsin Attorney General. He also formerly served as the District Attorney in both Ashland and Bayfield Counties.

Van Hollen is endorsed by more district attorneys and sheriffs than any candidate for attorney general.

More Bash Falk Record in Dane County

2006-03-02T11:54:00.000-06:00

Perhaps Kathy Falk should revisit the parable about stones and glass houses.

From a letter in the Capital Times:

Dave Wiganowsky:
Falk overlooks her own faults in race for attorney general

Dear Editor:
Wisconsin can't afford to hire Kathleen Falk for attorney general. The Capital Times had a Valentine's Day article entitled "Dem vs. Dem," which seemed more like the Valentine's Day Massacre when reading the comments made by County Executive Kathleen Falk. I would like to share my concerns:
• Falk touted her fundraising prowess. Elections should be won, not bought like a commodity. Pay-to-play, anyone? Where have we heard those words before?
• Falk hammered incumbent Peg Lautenschlager for "a backlog of more than 1,000 DNA cases at the State Crime Laboratory." Falk neglected to mention the Dane County Sheriff's Office has a backlog of 6,631 warrants. That's right - 6,631 warrants to be served, of which 1,026 are felony warrants and 5,605 are non-felony warrants. She won't budget for the deputies to serve them.
• Falk suggested Lautenschlager should have "worked to reallocate positions" at the Department of Justice, but Falk did not mention that she has frozen more than 100 positions in Dane County, making many departments operate while extremely short-staffed.
• Falk said, "We need an attorney general who knows how to manage a department." An audit of her own Dane County Planning and Development Department had such a poor audit, performed recently by Virchow, Krause and Co., that it received 37 action items to address, ranging from poor management practices to serious sick leave
abuses.
• Sheriff Gary Hamblin and the Dane County Sheriff's Office have continually battled for the resources necessary to make Dane County jails safer. The sheriff has fought for increased resources, but Falk has denied his requests again and again. An audit completed Jan. 30 by Gov. Jim Doyle's Department of Corrections cited the Dane County jail system's chronic and "dangerous" overcrowding problems. Falk has refused to address the problems.

The full letter is here.

AG Lautenschlager's management of the Department of Justice is definitely fodder for all her opponents. Supervisor Wiganowsky, however, shows that voters have a right to be concerned about Falk's track record as a manager in Dane County.

The Sheriff asks for additional resources and is denied. Now, over 1,000 outstanding felony warrants are waiting to be served?

That reflects poorly on both Falk's resource allocation and criminal justice philosophies.

Dangerous, and wrong.

Falk's Own Sheriff Refutes Her Claims

2006-02-28T16:17:00.000-06:00

An excellent column by Dane County Sheriff Gary Hamblin, which echoes comments I made in a column last week.

The county will not "save" money by sending inmates to other counties. Today's office holders will simply put off building for a while longer. Eventually, new jail space will be built, but at tomorrow's prices. Meantime, millions of dollars will be spent housing inmates in other counties.
The resolution recently presented to the County Board called on the county to plan a combination of needed facilities. The county executive said Dane County cannot afford to plan for more jail cells. The truth is, Dane County cannot afford not to plan.

Read the whole thing here.

Falk’s Soft-on-Crime Ways Wrong for Dane County and All of Wisconsin

2006-02-27T09:34:00.000-06:00

What a busy, yet great, weekend on the campaign trail. We're keeping up the pace and building the momentum needed to win. Thanks again, to all the volunteers/supporters who were with me the last few days.

I continue to receive positive comments regarding my recent column on Kathy Falk's 'treatment and shipment' criminal justice philosophy. Although a few of you said you hadn't yet seen it.

Kathy Falk’s approach to criminal justice is soft and reflects both a lack of common sense and a lack of prosecutorial experience. This is especially evident when looking at her experience as Dane County Executive and her stance regarding the Dane County Jail and its chronic over crowding.

In a recent column in the Wisconsin State Journal, Falk twists the statistic that about 50 percent of inmates sentenced to the Dane County Jail have one or more offenses for operating under the influence of intoxicants into a rationale for coddling violent offenders. She believes their addiction to alcohol and drugs are the reasons they commit crime and that rapists and thieves who brutalize their victims don’t deserve justice, they need help.

Kathy Falk, in her column and in numerous appearances across the state, skillfully avoids the pertinent facts regarding her mismanagement of the Dane County Jail. Her only solutions to jail over crowding are shipment and treatment. This attitude is neither fiscally prudent nor in the best interest of public safety.

Here is the entire column, as posted on WisOpinion.com.

On The Road Again

2006-02-24T15:10:00.000-06:00

Here's where I will be this weekend...

Friday February 24th
4TH C.D. Ronald Reagan Inaugural 25TH Anniversary Celebration
Serb Hall, Milwaukee

Saturday February 25th
Monroe County Caucus--Sparta
Leadership Conference- Taxpayers for Fair Zoning--Wausau
Dunn County Lincoln Day Dinner--Menomonie

Sunday February 26th
Washington County Lincoln Day Dinner--West Bend
Greater Milwaukee Auto Show--Milwaukee

The Attorney General and Homeland Security

2006-02-23T09:16:00.000-06:00

Paul Bucher seems to be a decent guy, but I am growing concerned that he apparently doesn’t understand the job description for the elected office he is seeking. Specifically, his lack of knowledge of the office as it pertains to fighting terrorism is troubling.

At a forum in Downtown Milwaukee on Wednesday, Bucher said of the job of Attorney General:

“This isn’t a federal law enforcement agency. This isn’t about terrorism.”

Those comments came during a panel discussion hosted by prominent radio talk show host Charlie Sykes. The Insight 2006 program was broadcast live from in front of an audience of something like 300 people.

I was shocked, quite frankly, that Bucher really didn’t know that President Bush has entrusted the state attorneys general with a significant role in fighting terrorism here at home. As the former United States Attorney one of my priorities was terrorism prevention and working with all other law enforcement agencies to collect intelligence. My district was one of the first in the nation to share intelligence between various federal, state and local law enforcement. Even The National Strategy for Homeland Security spells out that the states have a “major role in homeland security[.]”

I have argued that current Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager has not focused enough on the fight against terrorism. But even Peg Lautenschlager understands it’s a part of her job. The DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation’s Special Assignments Bureau is responsible for issues involving domestic security and terrorism. This includes looking out for organized plots to disrupt homeland security by committing widespread violence, conducting bioterrorism and interrupting economic activity. The DOJ’s Special Assignments Bureau is also the Wisconsin liaison for INTERPOL, the agency which promotes mutual assistance among law enforcement authorities in the prevention of international crimes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the forum yestrday (including my conversations with attendees before and after our panel) but I was genuinely surprised by Paul’s comments.

Maybe he’ll explain himself after taking the time to think about what he said. I know, instinctively, that we can’t afford to be complacent when it comes to homeland security. Protecting our families from terrorists will be one of my priorities as Attorney General. To do otherwise would be appallingly irresponsible and dangerous.

Just this month, there was a major terrorist bust in Ohio, after all. Rest assured that as Attorney General I will lead and coordinate the fight against all types of crime, including drug crime, cyber crime, election fraud, and terrorism.

If you have a half hour, listen to our exchange. It's quite lively and informative.

Welcome

2006-02-22T10:52:00.000-06:00

Hello and welcome to the JB Van Hollen for Attorney General official web log.

I'll be posting my thoughts here from time to time, as the campaign schedule permits. It's my hope that this will become more than just a campaign journal, and basically be the vehicle for an ongoing conversation between us. It is my intention to use this forum to let you get to know me and my agenda and for me to learn about what is important to you.

I am running for Attorney General to restore integrity to the Department of Justice and to lead the fight against crime in Wisconsin. Our families' safety and security is my number one priority.

After regular stops to this blog and the campaign website, you'll learn that I am a prosecutor, a law enforcer, sportsman, husband and father. You'll see that I share the no-nonsense, mainstream values of the Badger State and its citizens.

As required by law, I resigned my position as United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, where I represented two-thirds of the state, to run for Attorney General. I am humbled by the incredible amount of encouragement and support I've received thus far and I hope over the course of the next few months I'll earn your support as well.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you come by often, and please feel free to contact my campaign with questions regarding the race for attorney general or to volunteer for my campaign.

-JB