Five nurses hope to join the Legislature

From Patrick Marley at JSonline.com, Monday, Apr 21 2008, 05:12 PM:

Madison -- Five nurses are running as Democrats this fall, hoping to join the ranks of one Republican and one Democratic nurse now in the Legislature.

The nurses are vying to be part of the Capitol debate at a time when health care is a top concern among voters. Democrats who run the Senate have been pushing for universal health care, while Republicans who control the Assembly have been trying to make health care more consumer-driven.

The nurses running for the Legislature are:

* Alison H. Page of River Falls, who is taking on Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) in the 10th Senate district.

* Trish O'Neil of Columbus, who is running for the 47th Assembly district seat being vacated by Rep. Eugene Hahn (R-Cambria).

*Lou Ann Weix of Green Bay, who is taking on Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay) of the 90th Assembly district.

* Kris Wisnefske of Monroe, who is going after Rep. Brett Davis (R-Oregon) in the 80th Assembly district.

* Sandra Kawczynski Pasch of Whitefish Bay, who is running for the 22nd Assembly district seat that Rep. Sheldon Wasserman (D-Milwaukee) is leaving. Wasserman, a doctor, is making a run for the 8th Senate district seat being held by Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills).

If elected, the five would join the two nurses already in the Legislature -- Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit) and Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa).