Those of you getting no response need to remember the golden rule of politics. Money buys access.

lol..

I am looking at these guys and reading about them and I still maintain Yuri as being someone I prefer over the alternatives for many reasons. Many times he's had a rational stance and, though an advocate for the arts and like things such as the Ice Arena, will stand firm on what he believes, rather than being a "yes man". Besides, if we all agreed 100% of the time, well, we wouldn't be commenting here so much lol!

Like Yuri Rashkin, but I cannot cast a vote for him, just based on his support for the ice arena in Janesville. THAT is a TREMENDOUS waste of money in a community that has nothing to waste. IMO.
That being said, if Yuri wins a primary, I certainly would vote for him over Joe, I would write in Big Bird before voting for Knilans.

I just really have to disagree - frankly all I've ever heard about Knilans is in connection with Walker and his support of him - is his stance on anything else widely known? Anything else at all? I also don't think Wisconsin being dead last in job creation in the nation is 'Wisconsin heading in the right direction,' as Knilans puts it.

I do have to say that I'm for Rashkin in this one. While I have not agreed with him on every stance on every issue, I have never heard of a candidate more willing to truly represent people than he is. And isn't that what this is - we're electing the person who will represent us and our needs in the Assembly? During his time on the City Council, it was made so evident in so many ways that he is the kind of guy with an open invitation to talk about what matters to the people he speaks for. How else is he going to represent us, than to actually know what we want by communicating with us? I had not seen such transparency in any other City Council member, let alone other type of representative. (And that kind of outreach is something he did for a VOLUNTEER position, with many other things going on in life) Surely we can't expect every wish of every citizen to come true just by being heard, that's not what democracy is about. I want somebody to represent me and fight for me and the best kind of person to do that is one that is willing to listen to my concerns. And isn't that what democracy is supposed to be?

Vote for Deb Kolste. But then again, if Rashkin or Liebert were elected, at least they would have a job.

Sorry Joe,
But I would have to agree with many on this board in that you have no representational communications skills!
During the whole Act 10 thing I called and called your office and emailed you a number of times wishing to discuss some of the details of Act 10 so I would know what you knew and understand what you as an insider understood and I got back NOTHING. 2 Weeks after the bill was passed I did get a call back and we did speak but all you did was justify your past actions. You gave me the typical party line about protecting elderly, school children and keeping jobs of state workers. How is that working out for all of them?
And also a little late to represent me or my views AFTER YOUR vote was cast. I did not cast my vote for you in the last election to vote YOUR MIND but to listen to and represent ALL OF US. How can you do that if you do not speak to US???
You will not get votes from me my wife or any of our family members in the future. I really thought you would do a good job representing ALL of us but I guess the party powers that be were just too strong for you to resist and you forgot all about US

Myself and my family voted for him---never happen again.

jv and vato- exactly what "tough decisions" have Mr Knilans made? Union yes men? Howsn about Scott Walker Yes man? He follows lockstep with the governor, and he should know that he won a normally democratic seat, and to keep it he should have at least made some independent decions of Scott Walker, not be a rubber stamp.
Do I want Mike Sheridan back?? No! WHy is the only option to go back to a corrupt politician of the past? Ill take Kevin Murray or just about anyone else on the other side from Knilans. Who ran for this race with questions(real ones) of his residency in this district. It would be like me running for office in Sun Prairie where my brother lives. SORRY!
I have emailed Mr Knilans three separate times and have recieved not even a form letter response, like the ones I have recieved from Evan Wynn.
My biggest problem with Knilans was his dirty attempt to get the teachers of Janesville to open their negotiated contract with the district by trying some dirty trick of writing in some dumb amendment that made almost ZERO sense whatsoever!! Just dirty tricks and trying to be political, knowing good and well the teachers of janesville were not going to open their contract, especially with anti-educator School board members like Sodapop at the helm of the school board.

I too voted for him and will NOT be voting for him again. My experience has also been SILENCE when I have called or emailed. He was pleasant in person at the Capitol when I met him, but nonetheless, he was very evasive about numbers and specific elements of things he was voting on. Despite several follow-up calls to get the answers from him, I never have heard from him. He may be a "good man"...but he is NOT a "good representative" for Janesville.

I confess to not knowing much about local politics having only been around a few years, knowing all politics is local. I have heard of Joe but know nothing about him. Joe came to my door with a petition to be on the ballot. I will sign for anyone, believing in the process, regardless of what side they are on. That said, if he supported the Governor ending the gravy train, he gets points.

Joe has got to go!

It does take courage to make tough decisions, too bad Joe is just a puppet for Walker and doesn't make his own decisions.

I usually vote D, but voted for Joe becasue I didn't care for how Sheridan handled the payday loan bill by dating a lobbyist for the payday loan interests. I will not vote for him again.

Bub bye Joe!

jv93 Have to disagree with you. I have written his office several times, as has my spouse. For example, I have asked for specific statistics regarding voter fraud. His answer to me was silence. Absolutely no response. My spouse wrote him two or three heartfelt emails regarding other issues. Joe's response--nothing.

I voted for him last time, I won't make that mistake again.

Why I am so honored janesvillian but as you can see I merely responded to ridiculous comments by previous posters. But since you chimed in...I guess if you mean making tough decisions and fixing problems caused by irresponsibility is being "a snake" well I guess that'd be creative but not surprising coming from you. I guess you'd prefer the likes of Sheridan and Doyle? Maybe they are more your level of moral character. If Joe is a snake I'd be interested to know what species they are?

The few times I'm talked to Joe since he was elected, he's been very pleasant and I honestly believe he is a good person. However, I think he is a bad politician that does lean way to far to the right.

jv93, then there are those like you who think being nice in church makes up for being a snake to the people of Janesville.

He is not my choice and never was.

Wow I have a feeling some of these complaints are partisan. I have called Joe's office and received a prompt call back. I even just stopped in at the capital and he made time to say hello and have conversation. Ive seen him in church as well and I don't think anybody who knows Joe Knilans would describe him the way belman does. I get the feeling no matter how nice and cordial Joe is it would never be enough for folks like belman and pixie. Perhaps some people should look in the mirror.

When does the lease on his brothers basement come up for renewal?

hmmm...from the comments so far it seems some of Janesville is voicing their opinion now. Looks like Joe better hope for a miracle.

He never returns a call or email. I guess responding to his constituents is not part of his job description. Bye bye Joe.

Joe- Unfortunately you sold the people of Rock County and the rest of the state out by your partisan support of a man who clearly has only his interests and the interests of wealthy businessmen(women) at heart. You are probably a good guy but like the rest of the current Republican party- you MUST follow party lines or you won't get the financial support that they offer. Good luck to you and I sincerely hope you've learned something about standing up for what you really believe in.

belman, Knilans figures he doesn't need to hear from anyone since it's only an opinion. The last sentence in the article by Knilans says it all. The only time when citizens "opinion" mean anything are at the ballot box. The other 364 days out of year, he listens to his contributors.

No show Joe. He is never around to talk to the people of Janesville. He does not even speak when you hello to hiim at chuch.

Anyone who backs up that nut in Madison will find himself gone in November I'm sure.

Bye bye Joey, start packing.