Yeah… that’s a bit of a stretch. But nice attempt to try to make the office relevant to the interests of voters.

Longtime incumbent Doug La Follette says the reduced role of the secretary of state’s office is detrimental to the business interests of the state.

Pointing to the functions of other secretaries of state, like the management of notaries public and the register of trademarks, La Follette says many Wisconsinites are unaware the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions has largely replaced the duties his office.

“Making the secretary of state’s office in Wisconsin like the rest of the country would be important for helping us be open for business,” the Democrat told “UpFront with Mike Gousha,” referencing something often said by Gov. Scott Walker. The weekly public affairs program is produced in a partnership with WisPolitics.com.