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Endorsing Keith:
October 24th, 2008
OUR ENDORSEMENT: Ripp for Dist. 47 :: A Wisconsin State Journal endorsement
Keith Ripp likes to make it clear that although he is a Republican, he wants to work in the middle of the political road to get things done for the 47th Assembly District.
"Partisanship hurts people," he told the State Journal editorial board. "At the end of the day, have coffee or a beer, settle your differences and move on."
Ripp's refreshing focus on the interests of his district, rather than any partisan agenda, helps to make him the best choice to succeed retiring Republican Eugene Hahn.
Health care, economic vitality and school funding issues top Ripp's list of priorities for the district. His understanding of what's important to the area is backed by his deep roots in the community. He grew up on his family's farm 20 miles north of Madison. He now owns and operates the expanded farm and a trucking business, R Enterprises.
He values the discipline and work ethic he learned on the farm and while competing as a teenager for highly regarded Lodi High School wrestling coach Jack Reinwand. Those values represent his district well.
Ripp has leadership experience as an officer in farm organizations, including the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, and has political experience as a town of Dane supervisor.
Ripp is opposed by Democrat Trish O'Neil, a past president of the Columbus School Board, and independent Dennis Hruby of Dane.
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