Two candidates for Wisconsin's 77th Assembly district received key endorsements, Tuesday, with Madison mayor Dave Cieslewicz endorsing Brett Hulsey and former Madison mayor Paul Soglin endorsing Dianne Hesselbein.
Candidate and Dane County Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein announced Tuesday morning Solgin's support for her campaign in District 77.
""I think she's going to do the best job in regards to the fiscal problems the state faces this year,"" Soglin said.
Cieslewicz's endorsement for candidate Brett Hulsey came in a statement, saying ""In a field of strong candidates, Brett stands out. Brett has experience fighting against long odds and coming out on top.""
Cieslewicz and Hulsey have worked together for twenty years and though Hulsey considers the recent endorsement important, it will not shift the focus of his campaign.
Hulsey does not consider Soglin's endorsement of Hesselbein a loss.
""I've got [Dane County Executive] Kathleen Falk, Mayor Dave, Former UW Dean Mary Rouse – I have a lot of endorsements,"" Hulsey said.
Soglin's endorsement joins a row of others promoting Hesselbein and her candidacy. Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, formally supports Hesselbein and sees Soglin's endorsement as important and knows there is ""a lot of interest as to who fills the seat.""
Soglin is a resident of District 77 and his endorsement shows people are not, ""being passive in this race,"" according to Maniaci.
Maniaci said the, ""strongest endorsements you can receive are from people who have worked directly with you.""
Fifteen fellow Dane County Supervisors formally endorse Hesselbein, a number Maniaci attributes to Hesselbein's good character and strong abilities as a Dane County Board Member.
Hulsey and Hesselbein both serve on the Dane County Board of Supervisors.
A key endorsement for any candidate would be from current state assemblyman Spencer Black, Maniaci said. Black is the current representative for District 77 and he will retire this year after serving for 26 years. However, Black has made no indication he plans to make an endorsement.
Hesselbein and Hulsey come from a pool of five democrats in next week's primary and Cieslewicz will eventually work with the winner of the general election in November.
Cieslewicz said in a statement he would be happy with to work with, ""anyone who emerges from the Democratic field. I believe Hulsey is the best choice for Madison.""
