by Maria Lockwood of the Superior Telegram (Reprinted with Permission)

Superior Mayor Dave Ross formally announced his candidacy for the state’s number two office Thursday at a fundraising event at Barker’s Island.

“I really plan on reinventing the lieutenant governor’s office,” Ross said during a Wednesday interview. “I think the lieutenant governor needs to drive the agenda of the governor.”

Ross’ message is one of strong, fiscal conservancy.

“My business budget is no different than the city’s $26 million budget; our $26 million budget is no different than the $25 billion budget the state has,” Ross said. “It’s all about spending and it’s all about revenue and it’s about how you take and balance your revenue with your expenditures.”

The state has a more complicated web of demands for dollars, but the basics are the same.

“You have to be strong and you have make tough decisions because that competition for dollars will always be there and you’ve got to find the best way to allocate those resources and get the best possible benefit for the public,” Ross said.

In the six years Ross has served as mayor, he contained taxes, enacted a plan to eliminate more than $28 million in general obligation debt; reversed negative cash flow in the city’s golf course, landfill and health fund accounts; and increased profitability in the city owned marina. He has eliminated more than $3.5 million dollars in structural costs in the city budget while protecting essential city services.

From 2008 to 2009, Superior’s equalized value rose by $77,150,900 -- 4.85 percent -- according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Ross attributes that to a new attitude in Superior that invites business growth and investment, an attitude he would take with him to Madison.

“We want to create a Wisconsin where people want to stay, live and invest,” Ross said, by building a business-friendly atmosphere. “I think a very fitting job for lieutenant governor is to look at the whole state and be part of that team to help businesses grow, expand, make this an investor-friendly state.”

Ross’ announcement came the same day a report detailing how Wisconsin’s economy is losing ground was presented at a meeting of the Wisconsin Innovation Network. The report, called “Wisconsin Flunks its Economic Test” points out that Wisconsin’s per capita income is now $2,500 behind the national average. In addition, job and economic growth in the state is half that of its neighbors – Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa.

Since filing candidacy papers in July, Ross has been criss-crossing the state attending barbeques, chicken feeds and county fairs to gauge his name recognition.

“We drive about 1,000 miles every weekend; some weeks we’ve done more,” he said. “I’m well aware this is a statewide race.”

Everywhere he goes, people have stories of Superior – a honeymoon, drive past or visit.

“Superior is definitely on the map,” Ross said. “It’s just that we need to get its mayor on the map.”

The Superior native won first place in a straw poll at the Wisconsin Republican convention in May, encouraging him to continue the race. That marks him as a top-tier candidate, he said.

If Ross wins the primary election, he will be paired with the Republican gubernatorial candidate who wins the primary. That could be Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, new candidate Mark Neumann -- a former Republican congressman who announced his campaign for Governor on Wednesday -- or a candidate who has yet to declare.

“I can’t hide my admiration for Scott Walker,” Ross said. “It would be just an absolute privilege if Scott Walker was the standard-bearer for the gubernatorial race.”

City residents have questioned if Ross no longer wants to be mayor. He likens his candidacy to seeking a job promotion.

“I’ve not lost my enthusiasm for being mayor, and I’ve not lost my commitment to work hard every single day for this community,” Ross said.

But this race presents great opportunity both for the mayor and northwest Wisconsin.

“The people I’ve run into have been encouraging me to stay in this race,” Ross said. “They like the idea that a voice from this community is seeking statewide office.”

The mayor said he is using vacation and weekend time to campaign, and continues to work hard for Superior.

“I just signed up on our biennial budget this morning after spending months and hours of hard work putting together a budget I can be proud of, a budget that I think this community can afford,” he said. It will be presented to the city council next week.”

Ross plans to run a positive campaign. He wants to be judged by his record and the policies he’s supported – such as the smoking ban and regulation of payday lending. The mayor is gearing up for questions, interviews and background checks. The Department of Revenue has already requested 11 years of his tax returns.

“This kind of politics I’m prepared for,” Ross said. “I’m here for full examination.”

More information on Ross can be found on his campaign Web site: http://www.friendsofdaveross.com/.