Yesterday, I had to explain to someone what a “green shoot” refers to:  it’s the first sign that a plant has begun to grow–a seedling.  Originally, people started using it in reference to the economy, referring to a recovery that frankly, cannot get here soon enough.

But more recently, I’ve started hearing “green shoots” in reference to the conservative side of the ledger (although most conservatives run as Republicans, I’m sensative to substituting the two, so I usually use “Our side”, to encompass AFB, CYP, Tosa Taxpayers Alliance, etc. etc.).

It’s early, but things are starting to come around and things are starting to get organized.  If you know your Wisconsin state politics, you know that a bunch of reasons, the outcome of elections in the State Senate and the Assembly will be very important and also very close (despite the losses of 2006 and 2008, Republicans are close to the majority in both). 

And today, we saw another “green shoot.”  Rep. Leah Vukmir, my representative, declared that she’d be running for State Senate in the 5th District against incumbent Sen. Jim Sullivan.  See    www.LeahVukmir.com for more information.

Leah was our speaker back when CYP was very small; in the spring, we’ll undoubtedly have her back.  But beyond being a good sign for Tosa, Brookfield, Elm Grove, West Allis, and parts of Milwaukee (who would benefit immensely from a Senator who doesn’t like to sit on the sidelines and talk about bike trails while taxing the heck out of anything that walks or crawls), this is a good sign for “our side”–people are starting to step up.

It’s going to take quite a bit of work for Leah to overcome Jim Sullivan’s incumbency.  I encourage you to get excited and give Leah some support.  Even just an email to say, “hey, good job and good luck” would be helpful as she starts her great adventure:  Leah@LeahVukmir.com