WisPolitics announces:

Jay Schroeder, community leader, formally announced today his candidacy for Secretary of State. He released the following statement:

“Today exactly one year from the general election. I announce my candidacy for Wisconsin Secretary of State. Empowering the electorate for more efficient government will be my number one priority!

If elected, I will work with the legislature to draft a state wide referendum to eliminate the office of Secretary of State. The office has few duties left, which is how the concept has seen wide bipartisan support. Scott Walker and Tom Barrett both supported its elimination in 2010. Now is the time to empower the voters of Wisconsin to move forward to eliminate the position. Doing so would garner an immediate savings over one million dollars in the biennial budget.

My candidacy is about giving the choice to the people of Wisconsin. We can do better!

An article written in the Waukesha Freeman sums it up best:

They wondered why Wisconsin was having an election at all for Secretary of State, the paucity of candidates for this and other offices reveals their diminishing importance and suggests, perhaps, that someday the legislature recognize reality and abolish them altogether.

Amazingly this article was written over 60 years ago! I am confident that as I travel the state to spread this message of efficiency in government that supporters will join me in seeking to eliminate the post.”

Great minds think alike — though as you know my idea is to eliminate the jobs of secretary of state and state treasurer and merge them into the office of lieutenant governor. Feel free to borrow my idea, Jay.