Lasry unveils political group focused on local Wisc. races
Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in Wisconsin last year, is making a new political move.
Lasry announced this week the formation of Next Wisconsin, a political action committee to invest in races for mayor and county executive across the state.
Lasry said the group will initially be involved in supporting three mayors facing re-election, Racine’s Cory Mason, Green Bay’s Eric Genrich and Stevens Point’s Mike Wiza.
Lasry said it’s in the cities and counties where the issues Democratic Gov. Tony Evers “is fighting for will be turned into results and action.”
“I think it’s time we started investing in these races,” Lasry said, adding that an initial run of digital ads will be “policy focused.”
Lasry joins a growing list of former candidates in starting up political groups, including former Lt. Gov. and Democratic U.S. Sen. candidate Mandela Barnes, who has established a PAC to help diverse candidates.
Former state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski launched an abortion rights PAC to support Democrats after she withdrew from the U.S. Senate race.
After losing in the Republican primary for governor, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch returned to the 1848 Project to recruit conservative candidates. Former GOP governor candidate Kevin Nicholson still oversees No Better Friend Inc., a nonprofit conservative advocacy group.
Asked if he might run for political office in the future, Lasry said, “I’m interested in being able to help make a difference and have an impact in any way I can. And if that’s in elected office, then I will most certainly look at that.”
He also made it clear that he’s sticking with Milwaukee, even as his father, Marc Lasry, is in discussions to selling his stake in the Bucks to Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam.
“This is my home,” the younger Lasry said. “This is where my wife and I are starting our family. This is where we live and we’re not going anywhere.”