As we usher in this last month before what is likely to be one of the most notable elections in the state’s recent history, we at CRW hope that all of our readers take the time to vote for the most qualified candidates in November.

The readers who responded to our recent survey indicated they are interested in more political coverage. During the next year, you’ll see that we are happy to oblige that request with two features. The first is a look at the long-term implications the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will have on business. The second is a Q&A section with our two major candidates for governor, Tom Barrett and Scott Walker. We wish both gentlemen the best in what is certainly a personally exhausting final stretch.

This section originally was designed to be much longer. Despite repeated requests over the course of nearly a month, neither the Russ Feingold nor Ron Johnson campaign camps responded to our requests for answers to five questions.

The non-response is puzzling to me. I would think that in such a contentious race, in such a contentious year, both campaigns would reach out to the Wisconsin business community. You’re a powerful contingency, not just financially but in sheer voting power.

If you happen to be at a campaign stop with either candidate, you might want to ask them the following five questions on behalf of CRW readers:

• One of the things we are continuously hearing from our readers, all of whom are business owners and executives in the state of Wisconsin, is that they are very concerned with the spending that is going on by our federal government. What is your opinion of the current federal spending levels and what must our country do to reduce our debt burden?

• In your opinion, has the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act been a success or a failure? Why?

• What is your opinion of cap and trade and similar type of policies? What do you believe is the real impact on American businesses if this type of mandate is implemented in the United States?

• Many of our readers have responded to the current economy by hunkering down. They have stopped hiring because they are concerned about the cost of mandated health care coverage; they are concerned about the effects and costs of cap and trade. What do you believe our country’s leaders need to do to get business running again?

• How are you Wisconsin’s pro-business candidate, and why do you deserve the votes of our readers?

And Senator Feingold and Mr. Johnson? We’re still happy to oblige you as well. If you’d care to respond, we’ll upload your answers to our Web site as soon as we receive them: crweditor@crwmag.com.

By Laurie Arendt

Laurie Arendt is editor of CRW. She can be reached at crweditor@crwmag.com