A Sept. 12 primary will eliminate one of the Democratic candidates, either Chris Danou, a police officer from Trempealeau, or Kathleen Vinehout, a dairy farmer from Alma.

Printed below are the candidates' responses to a series of questions.

Christopher "Chris" Danou, 39, Democrat, Trempealeau

Family: Wife Kate; two children: Orion, 5; and Rowan, 3

Education: Bachelor of Arts in history and international relations, UW-Madison; Master of Arts in international relations, The American University; Master of Science in wildlife biology, UW-Stevens Point

Professional background: Police/school liaison officer, Onalaska; member of La Crosse County ERT (swat team), MEG unit

Organization memberships: Wisconsin Professional Police Association, Ducks Unlimited, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Trout Unlimited, WorldWatch Institute, Society for Conservation Biology.

What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term?

My primary goal would be to represent real people instead of lobbyists and special interests.

I will emphasize campaign finance reform and clean government. That way the Legislature can get back to the people's business instead of the lobbyists' business.

Kathleen A. Vinehout, 48, Democrat, Alma

Family: Husband Douglas Kane, son Nathan Thomas Vinehout Kane

Educational background: Master of Public Health, St. Louis University; PhD in health services research, St. Louis University

Professional background: Dairy farmer in Buffalo County since 1994; previously tenured professor at Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois at Springfield)

Organization memberships: Buffalo County Agricultural Fair Association Board, Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, Buffalo County Farm Bureau, Buffalo County Farmers Union, Alma Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo County Rural Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Holstein Association, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Democratic Party of Buffalo County

Previous elected office: None

What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term?

My two major goals, if elected, would be (1) to see a health care reform plan adopted that disconnects health care from employment, and provides health care to all Wisconsin residents at a reasonable cost; and (2) to see an education funding reform plan adopted that leaves control of spending with the local, elected school board, and recognizes that not all children cost the same to educate, and that small and large school districts, and rural and urban districts have different costs.

Ron Brown, 59, Republican, Eau Claire

Family: Wife Marsha, three children, seven grandchildren

Educational background: AS Purdue University, 1970

Professional background: Currently state senator; retired fire chief; small business owner; served in U.S. Air Force 1964-67

Previous elected office: Elected to state Senate in 2002

What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term?

When re-elected, I will continue my efforts to reduce Wisconsin's tax burden so that the cost of government matches taxpayers' ability to pay; promote economic development to boost job growth; and improve health care accessibility and affordability.