Will Paul Ryan Call on Randy Hopper to Resign



GOP Jobs Program for Mistress

Representative Anthony D. Weiner announced his resignation last week, days after Rep. Paul Ryan said he ought to bow out.

"I don't see how he can stay. I know Anthony. I just don't understand," Ryan said of his colleague's behavior, (ABC News), repeating his sentiment on several news shows.

So, how does Ryan, the man who would destroy Medicare and cut funding for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), feel about the State Sen. Randy 'Bed' Hopper scandal and his mistress' $42,328 job with the Walker administration which said the mistress hiring is fine even as Walker says the state is broke?

The answer is: Not a word from Paul Ryan on Randy Hopper or the hiring scandal.

Apparently, Ryan is more understanding when family values hypocrisy and corruption are committed by Republicans.

Wisconsin Citizens Spied on by Walker Regime

Scott Walker regime is the most hostile to civil liberties of Wisconsin citizens in state history

Not content to threaten citizens in the Capitol, to take away local control of government, and even arrest journalists, the Walker Regime is now, according to Dane 101, prepared to deploy a "state emergency response team [that] has been operating out of the GEF-2 (101 S. Webster St.) building downtown specifically to monitor protest related activity on social media sites and elsewhere."

The team is allegedly coordinating with law enforcement to identify and shut down any major direct actions planned by protesters at the capitol, by watching things like the #wiunion hashtag on Twitter and related Facebook groups, etc."

This is Wisconsin under Republican Rule.

GOP Targets Middle Class

As Republicans keep the People's House blocked as an armed fortress, eight-year-old children are wanded -- as never before -- as Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) and the Republicans tow the line.

By Jim Hightower in Alternet

WISCONSIN. This is where America's middle class first planted its flag and confronted the civil war. As the Lowdown reported last month, newbie-Gov. Scott Walker's extremist, anti-worker agenda (developed for him by Koch-funded corporate front groups) sparked a massive grassroots rebellion of ordinary Wisconsinites, and they are not going away. In substance, Walker's attack on laboring people is much like his fellow right-wing guvs in other states. But he has been especially arrogant, autocratic, and abusive in trying to ram it into law, essentially operating as an above-the-law, tinhorn tyrant. Walker and his legislative henchmen -- openly backed by Koch money and operatives -- are big government on a rampage. Here are just a few of their ends-justify- the-means tactics:


When 14 stalwart Democratic senators left the state for Illinois to deny Walker the necessary quorum needed to pass his bill killing collective bargaining, his senate leader changed the rules so the 14 could not get their paychecks. When this silliness failed to lure any of them back, Walker's team plotted to send state troopers to arrest them -- even though they had broken no laws.

Furious at the Democrats, Walker got real petty. His legislative leaders decreed that the staffs of the 14 absent senators could not use copying machines in the capitol. That'll teach 'em!

With outraged protestors swarming into the capitol daily, Walker arbitrarily locked it down, illegally shutting peaceful Wisconsin citizens out of their own building.

From the start, Walker loudly insisted that suspending public employee rights was necessary to balance the state budget. Finally, though, with Democrats still denying him a quorum, he suddenly dropped his fiscal responsibility pose, stripped the bill of all budget numbers, and -- in a coup with little advance notice and no debate -- slammed the anti-worker provisions through.

A lawsuit, however, claims the bill's passage was illegal because senate leaders violated the open meetings law to sneak it through. To consider this, a judge has temporarily blocked the statute -- but Walker's agents made an end run and simply declared it enacted. No, said the judge, reinstating her injunction.

With the battle now in court, the GOP senate leader issued a new rule dictating that while the 14 senate Democrats are free to attend committee meetings and cast votes -- "those votes will not count." He was later forced to withdraw this autocratic absurdity.

Scott Walker: I know what's best for all cities, towns, villages

Hopper mistress gets state job in February

Good bye local control, Scott Walker is your mayor, manager, common council and board of village trustees.

You considering a school-voucher program at taxpayers' expense? Walker will tell you when, where and if.

You want paid sick pay for working families taken ill. Walker says 'no.' He has made his decision.

You want your teachers, snowplow drivers, nurses, prison guards, EMTs and public officials to make an honest living. Walker and the GOP will be the judge of that.

The GOP, along with Sen. Randy Hopper (Fond du Lac) and the whole bunch of them is going along for the ride as they secure state-funded jobs for their girlfriends and political contributors and their families; and turn their back on the rest of us.

No Let-up on State Senator Randy Hopper

People are looking for recall petitions to sign

Though it's all over the Net that the recall campaign of State Senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) has generated over the minimum amount of signatures, the message out of Fondy is: No let-up.

Legions of people in Senate District 18 want to lead the movement to stop the Republican Party—what has become an autocratic, nihilistic experiment in government against the people.

A recall signature is the first step because you can be damn sure Walker, Hopper and the Fitzgeralds don't care what you think or do.

Hopper and the regime think they can get away with anything; no consequences, no regrets.

Many political time bombs await; because the truth is: These aren't very bright guys and things are getting out of hand.

Tony Galli: Randy Hopper's girlfriend leapfrogged others who formally applied for state job

When it comes to Scott Walker's cabinet hiring state public workers like Sen. Randy Hopper's (R-Fond du Lac) girlfriend, it's all about who you know and who you know.

From Tony Galli [widely regarded as the the best investigative journalist in Madison] at WKOW27 News:

State records released to WKOW27 News show candidates for various jobs in Governor Walker’s administration were passed over despite recommendations from high-level officials, while a woman with ties to Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) was hired to a position with an immediate salary increase, without formally being recorded as a job applicant.

Officials said Valerie Cass, 26, was hired to a limited term communications specialist position in the department of regulation and licensing last month at a pay rate thirty five percent higher than the worker she replaced because the position’s duties were expanded to include legislative outreach activities. Cass’ salary is equivalent to $42,328 annually. Sources confirmed Cass has a relationship with Hopper, who is estranged from his wife and in the midst of a pending divorce matter. Hopper has denied to WKOW27 News playing any role in Cass’ hire. ...

Cass’ resume released to WKOW27 News listed a journalism degree from Marquette University [Graduated 2007 from the College of Communication; with a Bachelor of Arts; Major in Journalism], a stint as an aide to former state senator Ted Kanavas, and positions with ties to republican political campaigns. A December email released to WKOW27 News shows Cass corresponded with then-transition director Keith Gilkes about procuring unspecified work with the governor’s administration.

Blogging Blue Is Back Online

Blogging Blue broke a story on March 11 that IDed Sen. Randy Hopper’s (R-Fond du Lac) secret mistress-girlfriend-fellow GOP traveler as Valerie Cass, formerly of the GOP-connected Persuasion Partners, Inc., a right-wing lobbying firm, and now with the Scott Walker administration which gave her a cushy, tax-payer-funded job.

Blogging Blue also broke the fact of Cass' former employment with the state Senate Economic Development Committee, "of which Sen. Randy Hopper happened to be a member."

And he noted Persuasion Partners scrubbed their website on March 11.

For his trouble whether through heavy traffic or a cyber attack, Blogging Blue crashed. They're back!

Dan Bice: Sen. Randy Hopper's girlfriend gets publically funded state job at $20.35 per hour

Nice work if you can find it.

Republican political operative and Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) girlfriend, Valerie Cass, scored a nice tax payer-funded job last month for political services rendered.

Dan Bice at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an excellent account of a corrupt political arrangement that smells even by the Scott Walker-Randy Hopper standards of misconduct.

An excerpt from Bice's column:

Even though the state is supposedly broke, top officials in Gov. Scott Walker's team were able to scrape together enough money to give a state job to the woman identified as Sen. Randy Hopper's girlfriend.

Anything for a political ally.

Valerie Cass, a former Republican legislative staffer, was hired Feb. 7 as a communications specialist with the state Department of Regulation and Licensing. She is being paid $20.35 per hour. The job is considered a temporary post.

Randy Hopper's Fall

For an excellent accounting of Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) who used to be known as a nice guy, but who fell hard for the Republican Party and told his community to go to hell, see: A Brief History of how Randy Hopper Lost Touch with his District.

Randy Hopper, the Hypocrite from Fondy, with Video and Hopper Wearing an AFSCME shirt

Two recent pieces point to Sen. Randy Hopper, recall target, and the problems he faces surviving the recall.

• Sen. Randy Hopper's 2008 TV AD Featured Extensive Footage of Young Family
• Hypocrisy, thy name is Randy Hopper

"I don't know about you, but Republican State Senator Randy Hopper sure doesn't look too upset about putting on an AFSCME shirt to show his support for some of his constituents on lobby day last year," writes Blogging Blue

Randy Hopper Story Breaks National as He Hides from "Threats"

Scandal in Fondy from Family Values Man

Update: As of 6:00 A.M., March 15, Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) still lists W5192 Rienzi Road as his voting address in his official State Senate webpage. It's apparent Hopper has not lived there for at least several months, raising the question from which residence did Hopper cast his vote in November 2010? His apartment? The Rienzi Road home? Where did he live and for how long on election day. More to come.

For someone who just helped to eviscerate the livelihood of 10,000s of Wisconsin families, State Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) is very touchy about the topic of his own family, or at least he seems that way through his flacks.

It was first reported here on March 11 that protesters outside the recall target's, Hopper's, house last week in Fond du Lac were met by his wife who reportedly came out and told them: Hopper no longer lives there but with his 25-year-old mistress in Madison.

Two sources in Fond du Lac close to the recall effort say the Hopper maid has signed the legal-sized recall sheet. The maid reportedly said it's likely Hopper's soon-to-be-ex wife will also sign the recall petition.

Blogging Blue reported March 11 the woman in question is a former state Senate committee staffer and now-ex-GOP-connected lobbyist. [Blogging Blue has an independent server and has received so much traffic that the server crashed, but the server should be up soon.]

Attempts to reach Sen. Hopper through his phone book-listed telephone number in Fond du Lac last week and this week were unsuccessful; as were calls made to his Madison legislative office and a Fond du Lac business office.

Other media outlets report a non-denial from Hopper's office on the Madison girlfriend issue but a flat denial on the Fond du Lac residency issue raised elsewhere as Hopper continues to hide from his constituents and the media, citing security concerns and death threats.
 
WTMJ (Milwaukee) reports:

TODAY'S TMJ4 received a letter from a woman claiming to be Randy Hopper's wife, Alysia Hopper. The letter arrived in a letterhead envelope from Alysia Hopper's business. The letter claims Randy Hopper, "started an affair in January 2010 with a then 25 year old Republican aide." It claims "Randy moved out" and "now lives mostly in Madison."

According to Hopper's spokesman, the State Senator rents an apartment in Fond du Lac where Hopper also owns several radio stations. However, TODAY'S TMJ4 was told Hopper was unavailable after making repeated interview requests.

In a written statement, Hopper campaign spokesman Jeff Harvey indicated, "Senator Hopper maintains an apartment in the district where he lives and works. He and his wife separated roughly a year ago and are divorcing, which is a private family matter."

Dan Bice of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports: "Hopper's chief of staff, Rebecca Hogan," said "Senator Hopper lives and works in the district. He and his wife separated roughly a year ago and are divorcing, which is a personal matter. Senator Hopper and his family have received multiple death threats. These new attempts to personally smear him are shameful and disgusting."

Non-denials that Hopper left his wife for a much younger woman while hypocritically preaching the GOP mantra of families and values. This speaks loudly of Mr. Hopper's values, as does his alliance with a vicious GOP attack on Wisconsin families.

Even if Hopper is not speaking, his non-denial from his undisclosed location reveal a man afraid to face the public he was sent to Madison to represent.

As Hopper's story has hit national journals including the Atlanta Journal Constitution, New York Magazine, and the New Republic, Hopper's public posture is: Unavailable.

Sen. Randy Hopper's Problems Mounting in New Politicized Terrain, Resignation Possible

Update: Reader advises that in Wisconsin vacancies in the Legislature must be filled by a special election called by the Governor, per state statute.

Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) is one of eight Republican recall targets in the Wisconsin state senate.

A reliable Scott Walker ally, it appears this political alliance is one among a host of other liabilities in a changed political environment where issues once ignored are gaining prominence.

Hopper's political liabilities are now under increasing scrutiny, going viral on social networking sites.

And his political crises have become the source of speculation that Hopper—elected in 2008 with under a 200-vote margin—may now resign in what the GOP would likely hope is a new state senator for District 18 [includes Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and the northern part of Waupun; a new candidate would have to run in a mandated special election]). A new candidate is seen by informed political operatives as having a slightly better chance of holding the seat for the Republican Party in what early indications point to as a marked flip of the state Senate into democratic control in the anticipated Summer recall elections in August.

Among Randy Hopper's problems:

• Tax-Shy Randy Hopper's $250 Million Yearly Capital Gains Giveaway (One Wisconsin Now)
• State Senator Hopper arranged for the controversial testimony of businessman and Catholic Right ally, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), opposing the Child Victims Act (via Daily Kos); i.e. Hopper appears more interested in protecting molesters than in protecting children
• A pattern of lies invoking himself as a victim of mobs and dangerous security threats (Blogging Blue)
• And the revelation of a multi-year affair with an ex-GOP state senate committee staffer and GOP operative resulting in his pending divorce with his wife who stated last week that the senator was not living at his phone book-listed address in Fond du Lac but rather with his mistress in Madison



State Sen, Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac)



The other woman, 25-year-old ex-GOP state senate committee staffer and GOP operative



Updated - Sen. Randy Hopper's Wife Tells Protesters Hopper Is Living with 25-year-old mistress in Madison

Update VIII: Former Wisconsin Republican state senate staffer, "Todd Allbaugh said Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa, and then-Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, were 'giddy' and 'politically frothing at the mouth' over" Wisconsin's 2011 photo voter ID bill, at a May 2106 federal voting rights trial, (Opoien, The Capital Times), One Wisconsin Institute v. Nichol (U.S. District Court of the Western District of Wisconsin (Case 15-cv-324).

Update VII: Randy Hopper (R-Empire (formerly Fond du Lac)), defeated in recall election by Democratic nominee, Oshkosh Deputy Mayor Jessica King, on August 9, 2011.

Recall Election Results
Jessica King ,   28,187  51%
Randy Hopper 26,937  49%


Update VI: Randy Hopper’s Chicky-Poo Leaving $42,328 tax-payer-financed gig, reports WKOW TV (Tony Galli) and Caffeinated Politics.

Update V: E-mails Reveal Randy Hopper Coached Mistress on Scoring State Job [See Cory Liebmann at Eye on Wisconsin]. Scott Walker has campaigned for Hopper aggressively during the recall election to be held August 9 against Jessica King.

Update IV: Though Gov. Scott Walker maintains his contention that Wisconsin is in a fiscal emergency, a lie knocked down weeks ago, Hopper's reported Madison girlfriend (the 26-year-old Valerie Cass) in February accepted a cushy job at the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. WKOW TV (Madison) reports: "In a telephone interview with WKOW27 News, Hopper initially refused to respond to whether he had written a letter of reference or recommendation, or intervened during the woman’s hiring process. 'I want to keep my involvement of anything as a private matter. So, I’m going to maintain that.' But Hopper later called a WKOW27 News reporter and said he had no involvement in the woman’s hiring." No news on whether Hopper wrote a letter of reference or recommendation.

Update III: "Citing recent threats during the budget repair bill battle, Republican Senator Randy Hopper says he will not participate in Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Fond du Lac," reports WBAY TV. "In a written statement, Senator Hopper said, 'I had looked forward to walking the parade route and sharing this celebration with my family, friends, neighbors, and constituents, but I, in no way, want to put the citizens of Fond du Lac in harm's way.'"

What a nice man.

Update II: Blogging Blue reports the woman in question is a former state Senate committee staffer and lobbyist.

Update: Two sources in Fond du Lac close to the recall effort say the Hopper maid has signed the legal-sized recall sheet. The maid reportedly said it's likely Hopper's soon-to-be-ex wife will also sign the recall petition.

Recall target, Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac), talks a good game about family values.

But protesters outside the Hopper house this week in Fond du Lac were met by his wife who reportedly came out and told them: Hopper no longer lives there, but with his 26-year-old mistress in Madison.

No confirmation on whether the divorcing wife signed that petition to recall Hopper who represents Wisconsin Senate District 18. [see updates at top]

Hopper has been a close ally with Gov. Scott Walker whose billionaire-funded attacks on Wisconsin families are drawing international attention and widespread condemnation.