Kurtz To Challenge Honadel for Assembly Seat

Former reporter and South Milwaukee resident Bill Kurtz is challenging Republican state Rep. Mark Honadel in this fall's elections.

It's the first run for public office for Kurtz, but he's not "coming in cold," he said. Kurtz worked for the Milwaukee Journal from 1984-92 and later Community Newspapers. Local politics was a big part of his work during that time, he said.

"I know about politics, I know about government. Not from the inside but as a close outside observer," Kurtz said.

The 21st Assembly district includes all of Oak Creek and South Milwaukee, as well as a small part of Franklin.

Kurtz said the district is politically moderate, but Honadel votes as if it were dominated by Republicans.

"I think people deserve a choice," Kurtz said. "Mark Honadel has voted down the line for everything Scott Walker wanted, everything the Fitzgerald brothers wanted, everything Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce wanted, everything Alec wanted."

Honadel said he has bucked the party over the years on several pieces of legislation, but also made no apologies for generally siding with conservatives.

"Probably because that's what I am," Honadel said.

He said the vast majority of legislation is bipartisan, l that unanimously passed the Legislature.

Honadel added that while he was "elated" with the results of the June 5 recall election, he hopes the state can move forward under a more relaxed political climate.

Kurtz, 59, is a six-year South Milwaukee resident. He most recently worked for Carthage College in Kenosha as a communications associate.

Honadel, 56, is in his fifth term as state representative after his first election in 2003. He was born and raised on Honadel's Apple Orchard in Oak Creek before moving to South Milwaukee and working in the welding industry.

Honadel and Kurtz will face each other in the Nov. 6 general election.