EX-WWF WRESTLER THROWS HAT INTO STATE POLITICAL RING

'Luscious Laurent,' Now A Sheep Farmer, Plans Run In 47th Assembly
District

Madison - Luscious Laurent, a former pro wrestler who knows a thing or
two about arm-twisting, is going door-to-door in the 47th Assembly
District trying to get voters in his corner.

Laurent Soucie, 46, who was once known as "the most handsome man to
grace the squared circle," is stumping the district and plans a
Democratic challenge to Rep. Eugene Hahn, a Cambria Republican who has
represented the area since 1990.

But he's not counting on his two years in the World Wrestling
Federation to give him the boost at the polls that his old opponent
Jesse "The Body" Ventura got in being elected Minnesota's governor.

"I don't think people really care," said Soucie, now a sheep farmer in
rural Lodi and a substitute teacher. "I don't think they make the
connection. People may know me locally because of my UW days."

Soucie, who has not formally announced his candidacy, was a grappler
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and made the 1980 Olympic team.
He was a professional wrestler from 1981 to 1983. He is the brother of
lobbyist and former state Rep. Kevin Soucie, who was elected to the
Assembly in Milwaukee in the 1970s at age 19. His mother was a
Milwaukee alderman.

When politics and wrestling collide, Soucie knows there will be
inevitable comparisons to Ventura, who has become a national political
figure. And Soucie admires Ventura's approach.

"Jesse does what he says he's going to do," Soucie said. "There aren't
many people who will stand in front of the public and say what's on
their mind. The way it's going right now, representation in government
is for the privileged and not the everyday person."

This past summer, Soucie made a brief return to the ring for an
exhibition match at the Lodi Agricultural Fair.

Soucie said he expects property taxes, tax relief for farmers and the
Merrimac ferry over the Wisconsin River to be major campaign issues in
the district, which includes parts of Dane and Columbia counties.

"I love that ferry," Soucie said. "Call me a romantic, but I love old
Wisconsin. Why do you need a bridge there? The next thing they'll want
to do is widen the highway, and that means more taxes and big
government spending."

Hahn said he expects Soucie's background, including the comparisons to
Ventura, to change the complexion of the race.

"It makes it interesting, because of all the challenges I've had, no
one has had a background like that," Hahn said. "But I don't know if
it will come through in dealing with issues involving
legislation."

Hahn, however, is banking on one of his own gimmicks to stick in the
minds of voters. He and his wife, Lorraine, have established a
trademark: They ride a tandem bicycle in about 20 parades a year in
the district.

"I don't think a week goes by that somebody doesn't mention that
bike," Hahn said.

Hahn also attracted some attention this year by calling for the
legalization of industrial hemp - a virtually non-potent form of
marijuana - to provide another cash crop for beleaguered farmers.

So, it looks as if it will be handlebars and hemp vs. headlocks in the
47th District.

Soucie said he was approached last fall by Assembly Minority Leader
Shirley Krug, who asked him to run. For the last couple of months,
Soucie has been scouring the district, ringing doorbells seeking support.

"So far, I've hit the whole city of Lodi, the village of DeForest and
I'm about halfway through Windsor," Soucie said.

Although Soucie is downplaying his WWF days, he said his athletic
background helps as he contemplates a run next year.

"From my days of preparing for tournaments, I know you need
perseverance," Soucie said. "I used to run marathons, and after each
one, I'd say I'd never do it again. But the next week, I'd be at the
starting line."