Rep. Jeff Wood’s Selfish Ends

Rep. Jeff Wood has decided to trade integrity for power.

After 5 1/2 years of wrestling with his own political party in addition to the opposition party, Republican state Rep. Jeff Wood of Chippewa Falls announced Tuesday he will run as an independent in the fall election.

The three-term representative of the 67th Assembly District said the difficult decision was a matter of conscience. He no longer could justify membership in a party he doesn’t believe in anymore.

“It all comes down to fiscal responsibility and what our party is doing with this country at the national level mostly,” Wood said. “This used to be a fiscally conservative party. It’s not anymore.”

Bull. 

Wood was one of the authors of TABOR with Rep. Lasee.  At the time, the GOP strongly held the Assembly and TABOR was extremely popular among the Republican base.  Since then, it’s been downhill.

Despite his criticism of the GOP’s fiscal conservatism now, he has voted with the leadership all along.  His single vote against leadership was for the Assembly budget, and that was because he didn’t get an ethanol earmark that he wanted.

In other words, Wood has been silent about his misgivings about the GOP until now.  And what’s significant about now?  It’s the final day to file papers to run for the Assembly.  By changing to an independent now, he has robbed the GOP of fielding a Republican in his district.  At the same time, you might notice that the Dems aren’t fielding anyone in that district either.  Coincidence?  You would only think so if you are a fool. 

Here’s what went down.  Wood cut a deal with the Assembly Dems to switch to Independent at the last minute and likely agreed to vote with the Dems on any close votes.  In exchange, the Assembly Dems agreed to not field an opposition candidate and call off WEAC, thus virtually guaranteeing Wood’s reelection. 

The political math is easy.  It’s looking to be a Democrat year.  Even if the GOP retains the Assembly, it will be a tenuous hold.  If the Dems take the majority, it won’t be by more than a couple of seats.  Either way, Wood is setting himself up to be the swing vote - thus increasing his power. 

Jeff Wood isn’t acting on principle, for he lacks one.  He is acting on his own lust for importance. 

Pathetic.