Report: Dems' Top Choice Declined to Enter Assembly Race

The Journal Sentinel's Dan Bice offers some insight on the Democratic party's last-minute entry into the 21st Assembly District race, reporting that the party had to scramble after its top choice declined to enter the race.

Democrats made a heavy push for Assistant District Attorney Ron Dague, an Oak Creek resident, to enter the race, according to the report.

After he decided not to run, the party decided to back Elizabeth Coppola, who legislators helped collect enough signatures to meet last week's deadline to file nomination papers. 

Coppola has not responded to messages from Patch seeking comment. 

Coppola was the last candidate to declare her intentions to run. The other five candidates are all Republicans—South Milwaukee resident Jason "Red" Arnold, Oak Creek Alderman Ken Gehl, local tea party officer Larry Gamble, business executive Chris Kujawa and school choice advocate Jessie Rodriguez. 

They will face off in a primary Oct. 22. The top vote-getter will take on Coppola in the Nov. 19 general election.