A GOP-Libertarian matchup in 2nd District Roy Leyendecker (right) and Robert L. Cowles. By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle Incumbent 2nd District State Sen. Robert Cowles, a Republican, faces opposition this year not from the Democrats, but from the Libertarian Party. Roy Leyendecker, whose experience includes a run for Brown County executive, is challenging the multiterm senator. Cowles, first elected in a special election in 1987, is citing his service to constituents and fiscal discipline in his re-election bid. "I am committed to providing high-quality service and achieving greater accountability in state government," he said. "I have been recognized as a leading budget and spending watchdog." He emphasized his role in "pro-growth" legislation including requesting an audit of the Department of Natural Resources' Air Management Program. "The audit's recommendations will improve the timeliness and quality of the air permit process, which will lead to greater investment in the paper industry and job retention efforts," he said. He also touted his work on reforming the state highway construction program to provide greater oversight and accountability, and his efforts to audit the state's vehicle fleet and review state-owned boats, ATVs and cell phones. "State leaders have managed to come to agreement on a range of economic initiatives in the last year. I will continue to lead efforts to improve state efficiency and protect Wisconsin taxpayers," he said. Leyendecker said he wanted to fight "double taxation" on income "which is taxed when you earn it, then taxed again by property and sales taxes, then yet again by fees." His campaign is fighting "violations of our rights," saying many individual rights are restricted by government. "Every time you seek permission from someone to remodel your home, you allow someone who doesn't own it to tax and allow or deny you this right," he said. He said fixing the state's health-care system could be done by removing regulations on the industry that drive up the costs of doing business and freeing jurors from restrictions to judge the law and by being picked by attorneys in malpractice cases. He said governments do not create jobs "but actually destroy them by regulating businesses and overtaxing them." He said he would support a Taxpayer Bill of Rights to limit the growth of government spending. The state needed to downsize many of its government departments, many unconstitutional, he said. Schools need to look to outside funding for extracurricular activities and use the money saved for basic education. Leyendecker, 38, says he wants to bring a fresh voice and vision to politics. "Instead of two parties running candidates against each other for office we have one Republicratic Party which, once elected, works together in unison to profit and enslave their unaware citizens. That is why I am a candidate for office to fight for freedom in the Libertarian Party of these enslaved United States," Leyendecker said. Biographical data Robert L. Cowles Age: 54 Occupation: State senator Education: B.S.-University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; graduate courses at UWGB Political experience: State Assembly 1982-86; state Senate 1987-current Community involvement: Allouez Kiwanis, Brown County Taxpayers Alliance, Prevent Blindness-N.E. Wisconsin Chapter Family: Single. Roy Leyendecker Age: 38 Occupation: Truck driver, former business owner. Education: Gibraltar High School graduate Political experience: Chairman and former vice chairman, Northeast Wisconsin Libertarian Party; congressional district representative on Libertarian Party committee; ran for Brown County executive 2003 Community involvement: Organized Bill of Rights rally, 2003 Family: Wife Bonnie, one child