Tales of sex with 1960s Packers ignite global media interest

Usually, Sandy Sullivan receives just over 150 hits per day on her website. However, within the last 48 hours, the Republican secretary of state candidate has been bombarded with hits—with more than 86,000. The reason? Sullivan wrote a book—a tell-all detailing past love affairs with Wisconsin's beloved Lombardi-era Green Bay Packers. Since Tuesday, media outlets around the world have turned their attention to the race for Wisconsin secretary of state, an obscure position drawing little interest from voters. According to the 65-year-old Sullivan, who spoke to The Daily Cardinal before appearing on CNN, global news organizations reported on her risqué self-published book. Her story even appeared in The Guardian, widely regarded as London's most distinguished daily. Her book, ""Green Bay Love Stories and Other Affairs,"" details her rendezvous with Packers linebacker Dan Currie and Heisman-winning running back, Paul ""Golden Boy"" Hornung. Hornung wrote the one-page forward of the book. Sullivan is running against Doug LaFollette, the Democratic incumbent who has held office for 28 years. While the headlines have certainly given Sullivan publicity, LaFollette said he ""was very embarrassed and sad for Wisconsin politics"" because the rest of the nation, he said, is focusing on Sullivan's sex life rather than the candidates' platforms. ""For goodness sakes it was 45 years ago!"" said Sullivan, who also mentioned she is not ashamed of her book or behavior. She told critics to ""look in their own closets."" ""We were kids and we were having a great time rollicking. I've always kept a very strong moral compass and I was always a lady."" Republicans around the state are supporting her more than ever, Sullivan said because now she ""is gaining recognition and could win."" Though Sullivan has heard of derogatory comments made about her book, she contends the book is not just about sex. The book, she said, was given a ""titillating"" title to draw readers, but critics should not judge the piece until they read it. She contends her book is ""about the love stories of those ‘Packers,'"" football and fans. ""A lot of people think it's the whole team that I went out with,"" Sullivan said. ""They have taken what the truth is and twisted it. She only dated Hornung and was briefly engaged to Currie, she said. After hearing the news, Currie called Sullivan four times Wednesday to talk about the excitement surrounding her newfound popularity. Still, Sullivan said she wants the voters to look past her romantic conquests and examine her issues. She accused LaFollette of ""doing nothing"" in office, claiming he never took on the necessary leadership role. LaFollette's 28-year reign is due to voters recognizing his famous name—the reason why he has been in office so long, Sullivan said. Though LaFollette is not directly related to the La Follette dynasty that included a Wisconsin governor, congressman and senator in the late 1800s and early 1900s. ""Believe me, if I am elected, people will know there is a secretary of state,"" Sullivan said. ""And, they will know … what she is doing for the people of Wisconsin."" Some of Sullivan's goals include: going between bureaucracy and branches of government, speaking out for business and industry and finally, restoring the state office as a chief enforcer of ethics and elections laws, she said. Sullivan credits her readers to motivating her interesting in politics. Fans urged her, informing her that the ""book is so forthright and honest. You have the courage to tell the truth and put it out there. That's what we think politicians should be like."" The election is Nov. 7.