Three state real estate groups are endorsing Scott McCallum for governor.
The Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin (CARW), The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the Wisconsin Chapter of the Appraisal Institute (AI) are expected to schedule a media event in the days ahead to announce their decisions to back the acting governor.
"Scott McCallum is focused on holding down taxes and bringing jobs to Wisconsin," CARW president Dan Jessup said. "McCallum understands that job creation is key to spurring this economy."
CARW and BOMA are also endorsing Vince Biskupic for attorney general.
"Vince Biskupic has gained the support of folks on both sides of the aisle and is endorsed by many law enforcement officials around the state," the associations’ spokesman, John Periard, said.
While CARW and its sister associations back candidates on the state level, sources close to the group say the associations’ executive vice president, Christopher Ruditys, was testing the waters for a run for Milwaukee’s mayoral office.
"He’s a smart, young guy," said Paul Votto, Burke Properties president, speaking of Ruditys. "I would encourage him to take a look at it. I’d take a lot of people to take a look at running. Chris’ name has been one that has come up in the commercial real estate sector, which is where he is best known. A lot of the discussion has been focused on who are the viable candidates."
However, while the associations are backing Republicans on the state level, Ruditys has shelved his tentative plans for a mayoral bid for Milwaukee’s mayoral office to make way for a Democrat – State Rep. Antonio Riley of Milwaukee’s 18th Assembly District.
Ruditys contributed to Riley’s congressional campaign in 1997 and 2000.
Oct. 25, 2002 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
