JANESVILLE - Peter Theron is not a household name on the political circuit, and that's just fine with him.
Theron, a math teacher at various colleges in southern Wisconsin, is the Republican candidate facing five-term incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin for her 2nd Congressional District U.S. Congress seat.
"I am running to keep America strong," Theron says on his Web site. "Our nation has accumulated serious problems and they threaten to overwhelm us."
Theron announced his candidacy Saturday at media events in Janesville and Madison.
Theron holds a bachelor's degree in statistics and a PhD in mathematics. He's also a computer programmer, assisting local companies in software and Web site design.
So why is a professor with no political experience entering the fray to face Baldwin, who is entrenched as a heavy favorite in the Nov. 4 election?
"So far, responses to challenges of the post-Cold War era has featured too much well-intentioned, but misdirected government policy and too many ineffective or counterproductive programs," Theron said. "I will seek the input of the people of south-central Wisconsin and offer problem-solving ideas."
One of the issues Theron is most concerned about is the environment. He believes the solution to energy means "leaving nothing off the table," and involves three primary changes:
• Start environmentally conscientious domestic drilling in the coastal plain of ANWR, drilling offshore and utilizing oil shale.
• Safe and effective nuclear electricity plants and implementing new clean coal technologies.
• Expand renewable energy choices for consumers.
Theron also wants to:
• Increase jobs for university graduates.
• Increase first-job opportunities for legal immigrants and those coming off welfare.
• Protect life at all levels.
• Promote the goal of "having our children grow up with a mom and a dad" through supporting traditional marriage.
• Support the right to bear arms.
• Limit the scope of government and reduce the tax burden.
• Win the war on terror and continue to defend the United States.
• Allow small businesses to pool together to provide greater health insurance coverage for those who lack it.
Theron said he's using his teaching philosophy for his political campaign.
"I always aim to make my students self-reliant. I teach my students skills, correct their practice and then get out of their way," Theron said. "I believe that the federal government should operate with the same philosophy."
Theron, a math teacher at various colleges in southern Wisconsin, is the Republican candidate facing five-term incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin for her 2nd Congressional District U.S. Congress seat.
"I am running to keep America strong," Theron says on his Web site. "Our nation has accumulated serious problems and they threaten to overwhelm us."
Theron announced his candidacy Saturday at media events in Janesville and Madison.
Theron holds a bachelor's degree in statistics and a PhD in mathematics. He's also a computer programmer, assisting local companies in software and Web site design.
So why is a professor with no political experience entering the fray to face Baldwin, who is entrenched as a heavy favorite in the Nov. 4 election?
"So far, responses to challenges of the post-Cold War era has featured too much well-intentioned, but misdirected government policy and too many ineffective or counterproductive programs," Theron said. "I will seek the input of the people of south-central Wisconsin and offer problem-solving ideas."
One of the issues Theron is most concerned about is the environment. He believes the solution to energy means "leaving nothing off the table," and involves three primary changes:
• Start environmentally conscientious domestic drilling in the coastal plain of ANWR, drilling offshore and utilizing oil shale.
• Safe and effective nuclear electricity plants and implementing new clean coal technologies.
• Expand renewable energy choices for consumers.
Theron also wants to:
• Increase jobs for university graduates.
• Increase first-job opportunities for legal immigrants and those coming off welfare.
• Protect life at all levels.
• Promote the goal of "having our children grow up with a mom and a dad" through supporting traditional marriage.
• Support the right to bear arms.
• Limit the scope of government and reduce the tax burden.
• Win the war on terror and continue to defend the United States.
• Allow small businesses to pool together to provide greater health insurance coverage for those who lack it.
Theron said he's using his teaching philosophy for his political campaign.
"I always aim to make my students self-reliant. I teach my students skills, correct their practice and then get out of their way," Theron said. "I believe that the federal government should operate with the same philosophy."