Story originally printed in the Coulee News or online at www.couleenews.com
Published - Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Campaign manager: Erickson won’t run against Shilling
Pending legal troubles mean Republican Bobby Erickson probably won’t challenge state Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, Erickson’s campaign manager said.
Erickson, a 21-year-old freshman member of the La Crosse County Board, had announced in early June he would run against Shilling, who hasn’t had an opponent in the last two elections.
But Erickson’s campaign manager, Steve Gores, said Sunday the campaign is “over in practical terms” because the vote fraud case against Erickson has not been resolved and the deadline to file is approaching rapidly.
“He expects to remain on the county board and be vindicated, but he didn’t feel like campaigning” for the Assembly with felony charges hanging over his head, said Gores, who hasn’t heard from Erickson in more than a week.
Erickson could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Tuesday is the deadline for filing nominating petitions, and Gores said he doesn’t believe Erickson has enough signatures.
Erickson has been under investigation since early April for voter fraud after questions were raised as to whether he was legally registered to vote in District 5. Erickson moved into the district to run a write-in campaign for county board.
The case has been referred to Monroe County District Attorney Dan Cary, who met with Erickson and his attorney on June 6.
All stories copyright 2006 Coulee News and other attributed sources.