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Fifth Republican files for 32nd District seat

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Thomas E. Stelling

GENEVA TOWNSHIP — Thomas Stelling knows he doesn’t have all the answers to bring the state out of the worst recession since the Great Depression.

But he believes he can lead legislators toward ideas that might help.

Stelling, 59, a Fontana native who now lives in Geneva Township, this week announced he is running for the 32nd Assembly District seat.

Rep. Tom Lothian, R-Williams Bay, who has held the seat since 2002, is not seeking re-election.

“I’ve always served for one thing or anther, and I’ve always relied on those running for office to be the right answer to the question …” Stelling said. “But I looked across the board and thought what we really need is not someone who wants to be a politician but someone who wants to lead.”

Stelling, who is the primary stakeholder in an architectural firm in Burlington, is the sixth person to emerge in the 32nd District race.

Others who have filed declarations to run as Republicans are:

-- Dan Necci, 30, an attorney who lives in Delavan and recently opened his own practice in Lake Geneva.

-- Tyler August, 27, a Walworth native and chief of staff under Lothian.

-- Adam Gibbs, 23, a Lyons Township native who as a college student worked as a legislative intern for a state representative.

-- James D’Alessandro, 47, a Williams Bay native who for many years has held local public office and unsuccessfully ran against Lothian in the Republican primary in 2002.

Only one person, Doug Harrod, 64, a health teacher at Badger High School in Lake Geneva, has filed to run as a Democrat.

Stelling said he is running because he wants to reduce pressure on small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship to spur economic development in the state.

“The central theme of this campaign must focus on recovery from the economic downturn, which will require a balanced budget, increased job opportunities and a focus on entrepreneurship, business retention and business attraction …” he said.

Stelling said his experience with business and his familiarity with the district have prepared him to be a lawmaker.

“There’s not really one answer right now,” he said. “The path to the right answer needs to be outlined and researched, a course of action determined and then executed.”