DE PERE- One of the state senate races in Northeast Wisconsin up for election this year is taking shape.
Another candidate announced he’s running in the 1st district.That district covers portions of Door, Kewaunee, Brown, and Calumet Counties. Republican Frank Lasee currently holds that seat.
Special education teacher Dean DeBroux took the podium in De Pere’s Voyageur Park Wednesday.
“Today, I’m proud to announce my candidacy for Wisconsin’s first senate district,” he said.
DeBroux said his experience as an educator prompted him to run.
“I’ve learned three values that I’ve tried to live by and pass on to my students: one, stand up for what you believe in, no matter how tough it is. Two, look out for each other. And three, if you want to get things done, you better learn how to work together,” DeBroux told his supporters.
De Broux is running for the seat currently held by Republican Frank Lasee who has indicated he’s running again. FOX 11 reached out to Lasee but did not hear back.
It’s not the first time DeBroux has opposed Lasee.
As president of Bay Lakes United Educators, DeBroux led this protest in February of 2011 outside Lasee’s De Pere home.
Public employee union members were angered that Governor Scott Walker and the Republican controlled legislature eliminated many of their collective bargaining rights.
“That was an example of divide and conquer tactics that the current republican party has taken to divide the state. The state is divided right now and we need to bring an end to that,” said DeBroux.
Local Republican organizers say those arguments have long passed, citing failed attempts to recall Walker and State Senator Rob Cowles of Allouez.
“We can see the changes that have been made. There have been referendums, the recall of Cowles and of Walker, and so if he wants to make his campaign about those little things, I think Frank has a good shot to win again here in November,” said Brown County Republican Party Chair Mark Becker.
DeBroux may have to win a primary election in August to face off against Lasee in November.
If both candidates file their nomination papers by June 2nd, DeBroux will face Town of Gibraltar Supervisor Richard Skare in a Democratic primary August 12th. Skare ran for the Assembly against Republican Garey Bies in 2010 and lost. Skare has not responded to our request for comment.