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Candidates
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Iraq veteran announces candidacy in District 29
An Iraq war veteran and hardware store owner from Menomonie announced in New Richmond Monday evening that he is running as a Republican for the state Assembly representing District 29.
Lamb isn’t running for re-election and Weix said Lamb, whom he has known for years, asked him to run for the seat. Lamb also is from Menomonie.
“I spent 13 years in the Marine Corps and public service has always been important to me and I feel like I have something to offer from my perspective,” Weix said in an interview prior to his announcement.
Weix’s announcement that he’s a candidate came before party faithful at Suzanna’s Restaurant. Earlier in the day, he made an announcement in the district’s eastern population center, Menomonie.
He said he knows of no other Republican candidate seeking the seat. On the Democratic side, Kerry Kittel, a New Richmond High School teacher, has joined the race. The general election is in November. September primary battles would be necessary if more candidates file in either party.
Weix said he believes in lower taxes and more efficient and responsive government. Higher taxes, he said, are not the core problem, but rather a symptom of a larger problem, which is inefficient government.
He listed ensuring affordable health care and good schools at the top of his agenda as well.
Weix, 31, and his wife, Monika, have a 1-year-old girl and another child on the way. They live in Menomonie, but Weix owns a hardware store in Elmwood with his brother, Jude.
He grew up on a dairy farm north of Elmwood and graduated from Elwood High School in 1993. He has a degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Out of high school, Weix enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he participated in humanitarian operations rescuing Cuban and Haitian migrants, according to a press release his campaign issued.
After being transferred to Japan, he was recommended for embassy duty and his first assignment was in Prague, Czech Republic. He met his wife, Monika, while serving there. He also served at the U.S. embassy in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
Following his embassy duty, He was discharged and returned to Wisconsin. He re-enlisted in 2004 to serve in Iraq and served as an infantry platoon sergeant. For leadership in combat operations south of Baghdad, he was awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal for heroic achievement.
He was deactivated in the spring of 2005 but still is serving in the Marine Corps Reserves.
Karl Puckett is a staff writer with the New Richmond News. He can be contacted at kpuckett@rivertowns.net.
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Isaac Weix was joined in announcing his candidacy by Andy Lamb, the incumbent.
