The Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin endorsed Kathleen Falk for Attorney General in the democratic primary this week over incumbent Peg Launtenschlager and challengers, Paul Bucher and JB VanHollen stating that Falk is the "only candidate in the race with the experience, vision, and devotion to public safety necessary to lead effectively".

That's got to sting for Lautenschlager.  Overall she's been a good Attorney General but showed a huge lapse in judgement when she jumped behind a wheel after drinking.  In and of itself, if it is a one time lapse it is forgiveable and Wisconsin voters have showed their propensity to look beyond a one-time mistake of driving while under the influence but the rub is that Launtenschlager did it while in a state owned car — something even I just can't get past.  The reality is that many traditional democrats are abandoning Launtenschlager despite her impressive record because when she was pulled over she was caught on tape by a camcorder in the squad car.  If she would win the primary, those tapes are sure to be played over and over.

That being said, the firefighters are clearly and deeply enamoured with Falk's past accomplishments.  In a press release, they write:

For 14 years Kathleen Falk served the people of Wisconsin well as an Assistant Attorney General.   For the past nine years she has served the people of Dane County well as their County Executive, and she will serve us all well as our next Attorney General.

Kathleen Falk has an impressive record of increasing public safety as Dane County Executive.  She made dramatic improvements to the 911 system, she added 85 new deputy positions, and she created an anti-terrorism plan that serves as a national model.

Under Kathleen Falk’s leadership, citizens struck by sudden accident or illness receive better life-saving help faster.  She instituted Advanced Life Support and Priority Dispatch to dispatch firefighters and paramedics to the most serious life-threatening accidents or medical emergencies with the right equipment.  Thanks to her leadership, Dane County municipal governments now send their paramedics across one another's borders to provide life-saving services as fast as possible.  Kathleen also supported and funded the new 12 Lead Program, which insures hospitals are receiving accurate EKG's from patients while they are being transported by paramedics.

All that being said, you have to admire Launtenschlager's tenacity.  Shortly after the DWI incident, Launtenschlager faced cancer and overcame her illness.  Her speech at the Dem convention this summer was filled with energy and showed tremendous strength.  She displayed an amazing amount of grace under fire.  She should not be underestimated as she has shown an impressive ability to rally her troops.  We are not counting her out for either the primary race or the general should she emerge as the choice for the dems.

The Firefighter's State President, Rick Gale is enthusiastic about a Falk run but when asked about why they chose Falk over Launtenschlager he said, "They're both friends of ours, they're both good people.  Peg is a nice person, but a choice had to be made and we chose Kathleen."

Republican candidates Paul Bucher and JB VanHollen will surely criticise Falk as being endorsed by another special interest group but this is a special interest group that saves lives.  Firefighters deserve our respect, not our scorn as Republicans often heap upon any group who is a member of a union.  Firefighters work hard, put their lives on the line and for that they get a modest pension and a life expectency after retiring of only a few years.  In short, as a group, firefighters (including my cousin John Pena) are the self-sacrificing type of people who put their lives on the line and believe in our shared community values.  Their opinons deserve to carry a huge weight in this election.