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Happ wins Democratic attorney general primary

By: Associated Press//August 12, 2014//

Happ wins Democratic attorney general primary

By: Associated Press//August 12, 2014//

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By SCOTT BAUER
and TODD RICHMOND
Associated Press

State Rep. Jon Richards (from left), Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ and Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne will square off in Tuesday's Democratic primary for attorney general. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, John Hart)
Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ defeated Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne (right) and state Rep. Jon Richards in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for attorney general. (AP Photo/Wisconsin State Journal, John Hart)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Susan Happ, a rural district attorney who rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in her only campaign ad, handily defeated two other Democratic challengers Tuesday to win the nomination for attorney general.

Happ, the Jefferson County district attorney, beat state Rep. Jon Richards, of Milwaukee, and Ismael Ozanne, the Dane County district attorney. She advances to face Republican Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel in the Nov. 4 general election.

“We’re overwhelmed and thrilled,” said Happ campaign manager Josh Lease.

The attorney general’s seat is open after incumbent Republican J.B. Van Hollen decided against seeking a third term.

Schimel said in a statement that his race against Happ will give voters “a clear choice between two starkly different candidates.”

“We’ve listened over the past six months as my opponent has repeatedly indicated she would pick and choose which laws, and more importantly, which provisions of our Wisconsin Constitution she will defend and enforce,” Schimel said. “I will hold sacred my oath to defend our constitution.”

Mark Schaitel, a retired pizza restaurant owner from Madison, voted for Happ because he said he liked her position on wanting to rehabilitate drug offenders. But Schaitel and other voters said they had a hard time differentiating among the three Democrats.

“They kind of blend together,” said George Esser, 65, a retired state employee from Madison. He didn’t vote for anyone in the attorney general race.

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