• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Beloit-area Democrat says he’ll run in 45th Assembly district

TURTLE TOWNSHIP — A Beloit-area Democrat said his experience as an advocate for workers makes him the best choice to replace Rep. Chuck Benedict.

Roger B. Anclam, of 7928 S. Butterfly Road, Beloit, on Friday announced he will seek a seat this fall in the 45th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Benedict, D-Beloit, announced earlier he will not seek a fourth term. Anclam faces two Beloit Republican candidates. Jim Reseburg and Jeffrey Klett announced in December and January their candidacies for Benedict’s seat.

Anclam, 54, is relatively new to politics. This is his first attempt at a state position.

He was elected in April 2009 as the chairman of the Turtle Town Board. Prior to that, he served as a citizen representative for 10 years on the town’s planning commission.

Moving up to work in Madison is a natural step, Anclam said.

“Having been involved in local government, I see how all levels of government are inextricably webbed,” Anclam said.

Anclam is a 1974 graduate of Delavan-Darien High School. He retired after a 32-year career at the General Motors plant in Janesville. He also worked for 30 years as a UAW representative, he said.

That experience makes him the best candidate to represent the 45th District, he said.

“I worked to improve people’s standard of life,” Anclam said. “If there’s an area that needs to see jobs created, retained and expanded, it’s the greater Beloit area.”

Anclam said Wisconsin needs more tools to attract businesses to the state.

“Our toolbox is pretty slim at this point,” Anclam said.