Matt Flynn (politician)

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In October 2017, Flynn announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination to oppose Scott Walker in the 2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election. [9] In November 2017, Flynn received attention for his proposal to legalize both recreational and medicinal cannabis in Wisconsin. [12] Flynn received numerous endorsements, including the support of former Governor Tony Earl, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, Milwaukee County Register of Deeds John La Fave, businessman Edward J. Zore, former Wisconsin Secretary of Administration Steve Bablitch, and former Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce Cory Nettles. Milwaukee County Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez also endorsed Flynn for Governor. [13] Flynn vowed to work to repeal economic policies implemented during Governor Walker's tenure, which Flynn called "wage-killing." He also planned to introduce a bill to raise the minimum wage in Wisconsin to $15 per hour. [14]

The Republican Party of Wisconsin criticized Flynn for his past legal work on behalf of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in cases involving allegations of sexual abuse. [15]

Several activists and organizations called for Flynn to drop-out of the gubernatorial race due to his representation of the Archdiocese, including State Representatives Chris Taylor and Melissa Sargent, the Women's March Wisconsin Chapter, National Organization for Women Wisconsin Chapter, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, and The Capital Times. [16] [17] Flynn has responded by telling his critics to "jump in a lake." [18] Flynn compared accusations against him to "McCarthyism" and told a survivor of abuse to "knock it off." [19] [20]

Flynn finished sixth in the Democratic primary, garnering 5.9% of the primary vote, to 41.8% for primary victor Tony Evers.

Electoral history

U.S. House, 9th district (1978)

U.S. Senate (1986)

U.S. House, 5th district (1988)

U.S. House, 4th district (2004)

Matt Flynn
Matt Flynn 2018.jpg
Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party
In office
October 1981 June 1985
YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2004 Primary [21] Sep. 14 Gwen Moore Democratic 48,85864.20%Matt Flynn Dem. 19,37725.46%76,10329,481
Tim Carpenter Dem. 7,80110.25%

Wisconsin Governor (2018)

YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2018 Primary [22] Aug. 14 Tony Evers Democratic 225,08241.77% Mahlon Mitchell Dem. 87,92616.32%538,857137,156
Kelda Roys Dem. 69,08612.82%
Kathleen Vinehout Dem. 44,1688.20%
Mike McCabe Dem. 39,8857.40%
Matt Flynn Dem. 31,5805.86%
Paul Soglin Dem. 28,1585.23%
Andy Gronik (withdrawn) Dem. 6,6271.23%
Dana Wachs (withdrawn) Dem. 4,2160.78%
Josh Pade Dem. 1,9080.35%
Paul Boucher (write-in) Dem. 100.00%

References

  1. "Doolan Drops Out of Democratic Race for Wisconsin Governor". U.S. News & World Report. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. Mary Spicuzza (19 April 2018). "'We haven't made any decisions:' Mayor Tom Barrett confirms he's considering another run for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  3. "Police Accountability in Wisconsin", Wisconsin Law Review. Vol. 1974: p. 1131-1166, by Matthew J. Flynn
  4. "A thoughtful politician". The Milwaukee Journal. December 12, 1982. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  5. "Candidates in 9th Spar on TV". The Milwaukee Journal. October 27, 1978.
  6. Pfarrer, Donald; Harrington, Eugene (June 14, 1981). "Democrats reject slap at Proxmire" . Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  7. Pfarrer, Donald (May 15, 1983). "Defy national party on primary: Flynn". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  8. Pfarrer, Donald (June 12, 1982). "Schreiber to help party debt". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Bice, Daniel (October 7, 2017). "Bice: Matt Flynn is in for Democratic primary race for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  10. Sandler, Larry (September 1, 2004). "Leaflets rip Flynn's defense of priests". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  11. "Matt Flynn Direct | Devil Radio 92.7 FM".
  12. McCormack, Michelle (November 14, 2017). "High profile democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn supports legal marijuana in WI with referendum". WDJT-Milwaukee. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  13. Brian Kennedy (24 April 2018). "Flynn campaign: Milwaukee County Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez endorses Matt Flynn for Governor". Wispolitics.com. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  14. Eric Lindquist (10 February 2018). "Gubernatorial candidate Flynn vows to undo Walker policies". Eau-Claire Leader Telegram. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  15. "Republican Party of Wisconsin Launches Digital Ad Campaign Against Dirty Defense Attorney Matt Flynn – Republican Party of Wisconsin". Republican Party of Wisconsin. 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  16. "Eau Claire group joins call for Matt Flynn to drop out of governor's race" . Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  17. "Retired Milwaukee attorney Matt Flynn to critics: "Jump in a lake"". CBS58. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  18. Wisconsin, Onward (2018-05-09). "Matt Flynn Shoots down calls for him to Drop out of Governor's Race". Medium. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  19. "Matt Flynn to sexual abuse survivor: "Knock it off"". Blogging Blue. 2018-05-23. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  20. Ferral, Katie; Opoien, Jessie (June 26, 2018). "Lawmakers call for Matt Flynn to exit Wisconsin governor's race over priest abuse cases". The Cap Times. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  21. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2004 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. November 10, 2004. p. 6. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  22. Canvass Results for 2018 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 31, 2018. pp. 1–2. Retrieved January 10, 2025.