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Waelti wins chance to challenge Davis in 80th

John Waelti said it’s time to highlight the differences between himself and Republican incumbent Brett Davis in the race for the 80th Assembly District.

Voters Tuesday decided Waelti will face Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, this fall, after Waelti beat Kristin Wisnefske--1,364 votes to 1,152--in the Democratic primary.

“I just want to express my gratitude to all those who had faith in me, encouraged me to run,” Waelti said. “I hope I can represent this part of the ticket (well) and make a good race out of it.”

Waelti, 71, was raised on a dairy farm in Green County before completing a career in economics that took him to four universities and five continents, including working for a year at the Pentagon.

He expressed gratitude for those who supported him and volunteered countless hours for his campaign. He also said he now has a “sense of awesome responsibility” to run a great campaign.

“As I’ve said all along, this race is going to be about the issues,” he said.

Waelti added that he has a lot of respect for Davis as an individual—it’s just the issues that bring about differences.

Davis was elected to the state Assembly in 2004 and re-elected in 2006.

“I’d go as far as to say we genuinely like each other, but we have differences on issues,” Waelti said, “and that’s what this race is about, and that’s what the race should be about.”

The 80th District includes Evansville, Union and Magnolia townships in Rock County, all of Green County, the southern townships in Dane County and South Wayne and Wayne Township in Lafayette County.