Madison NORML

Underheim, once a strong opponent of legalizing medical cannabis in Wisconsin, made a 180-degree turnaround after being treated for prostate cancer several years ago.

In October 2003, shortly after a visit to his office by Jim Miller and myself, he announced plans to sponsor a bill. And while last session's bill was introduced too late to proceed very far, Underheim managed to hold a hearing on AB-740 this session, the first such hearing in over 25 years in Wisconsin. Not only did Rep. Underheim embrace the issue, he even traveled to the Patients Out of Time click here Third National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics in 2004 in Charlottesville VA, to learn more from leading experts in the field like Al Byrne and Mary Lynn Mathre, Raphael Mechoulam, Geoffrey Guy, Dr. Donald Abrams, Dr. David Bearman and many others.

At the Third National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics in 2004 in Charlottesville VA with Jim Miller and Gregg Underheim: View image

With a vote on AB-740 still pending in the Assembly Health Committee Underheim chairs, the chances of it getting a floor vote are sinking as the session winds down. For AB-740 to pass this year, it must first pass the Health Committee and the full Assembly, and a Republican state senator would need to introduce a companion bill in the Senate, which would need to pass the full Senate. A Senate committee hearing would also most likely be needed. As all this was looking increasingly unlikely this session, supporters were already looking toward next session.

If the Assembly remains in Republican hands next session, it seems unlikely there will be a Republican sonsor who is also the chair of the Health Committee to shepherd a bill along as Underheim has. But one can never be sure.

With its wide popular support across the political spectrum, it is surprising that more Republican lawmakers do not follow in Underheim's footseteps. Barring the emergence of a new Republican champion, the best hope for supporters might be Democrats reclaiming the Assembly this November. For that to happen, Dems would need to pick up 11 seats just to get to a 50-49 majority in the Assembly. The silver lining, if there is any, is that a Democrat is likely to replace Underheim in a moderate district heavily populated with students.

The Appleton Press Crescent discusses that and other aspects in the article below.

After 19 years, Underheim will not seek re-election

By Jim Collar

Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

January 14, 2006

OSHKOSH — Oshkosh will see its first new representative to the State Assembly since 1987.

Rep. Gregg Underheim, R-Oshkosh, confirmed Friday that he will not seek re-election to his 54th Assembly District seat this fall.

Underheim most recently won election to the Assembly in 2004. He lost in a bid to become state Superintendent of Public Instruction last spring.

Underheim on Friday said he's thankful he's had the opportunity to serve, but he's ready for new challenges.

"There are times when you decide it's the right thing to do, and you want to do something different," Underheim said.

Others believe there's more at play.

Jim Simmons, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a close observer of local politics, said Underheim would have faced a difficult election in 2006.

In his last campaign, in 2004, he tallied 46 percent of the vote in a four-way race.

Incumbents who receive any less than 60 percent are more likely to attract interest groups in the race. They've largely left him alone in the past, Simmons said.

Underheim also stood to face primary challenges from Republicans with more conservative stances.

In the end, Simmons said Underheim would have been the strongest candidate in the field due to his past record of service and viewpoints that line up with the Oshkosh mainstream.

"I just have a feeling he didn't think it was worth doing any more," he said.

In addition, there were rumblings from Republican candidates about seeking the seat last month, but they stopped short of an official announcement.

Simmons said a race without Underheim creates a stronger chance that a Democrat could win the Assembly seat, although it may depend on whether third party or independent candidates splinter the liberal-leaning voter pool.

Underheim was first elected in a 1987 special election and has been re-elected since 1988.

He has been chairman of the Assembly Health Committee since 1995.

[snip]

Continues at: click here

More:

WisPolitics.com: Underheim Campaign: Underheim Won't Seek Re-election click here