• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

D'Alessandro announces bid for assembly seat

Photo

James P. D'Alessandro

WILLIAMS BAY — James D’Alessandro says he has a record of reducing spending, cutting taxes and improving services as a member of the Williams Bay Village Board and can stand up to the pressure of those in state government who prefer to spend and borrow.

D’Alessandro, 47, a Williams Bay native who for many years has held local public office, recently announced he is running for the 32nd Assembly District seat.

Rep. Tom Lothian, R-Williams Bay, who has held the seat since 2002, is not seeking re-election.

“I think I’ve been preparing all my life to move up to the state Assembly,” D’Alessandro said. “I’ve been involved in public service and politics my whole life. … I feel like I’m a good candidate … and it’s an open seat and an opportunity that only comes along every so often.”

D’Alessandro, who unsuccessfully ran against Lothian in the Republican primary in 2002, is the fifth person to emerge in the 32nd District race.

Others who have filed declarations to run as Republicans are: Dan Necci, 30, an attorney who lives in Delavan and recently opened his own practice in Lake Geneva; Tyler August, 27, a Walworth native and chief of staff under Lothian; and Adam Gibbs, 23, a Lyons Township native who as a college student worked as a legislative intern for a state representative.

Doug Harrod, 64, a health teacher at Badger High School in Lake Geneva, has filed to run as a Democrat.

D’Alessandro said he is running because he wants to reduce spending and cut taxes for people and businesses to spur economic growth in the state.

“I think I’m the right person right now,” he said. “I’ve always has a consistent message ever since I’ve been in public office. For years, my message didn’t resonate. But now, I think it does.”

D’Alessandro said his experience running a business and serving on the village board is something in which voters can trust.

“For several years, it was spend, spend, spend and borrow, borrow, borrow. I was drowned out,” he said. “But now, I think things have changed, and people want someone in (state government) who … can prove they are for no new taxes and small government … instead of just taking about it.”

James P. D’Alessandro

Age: 47

Address: 60 Johnson Terrace, Williams Bay.

Family: Wife, Michelle, and three children, ages 17, 19 and 21.

Job: Owner of the Harborview, Williams Bay.

Education: Graduate of Williams Bay High School, 1981; bachelor’s degree in public policy and administration from UW-Whitewater, 1986.

Community service: Williams Bay Village Board member, 1997-2003, 2007-2009; Williams Bay Zoning Board of Appeals, 2004-2006; Walworth County UW Extension Citizen Partner Advisory Group chairman, 2003-2005; Williams Bay Extraterritorial Zoning Committee, 2002-2004; Barrett Memorial Library Board, 1999-2001; Williams Bay Business Association president, 2003-present; Williams Bay Lions Club, 1992-present.

Elected posts: Williams Bay Village Board member, 1997-2003, 2007-2009.