Citizen Action Wisconsin Endorsements

Born and raised in northeast Wisconsin, Renee Gasch is an agricultural educator, freelance writer, and dedicated community volunteer from De Pere who is running to represent the 2nd Assembly District. Sustainable agriculture and renewable energy are particular interests of Gasch, who serves on the De Pere Sustainability Commission, where she has helped increase clean energy and pollinator habitats in her home community. Gasch also lists safe, fully funded public schools, a fair economy, access to quality, affordable health care, child care and elder care as top priorities. Gasch has been an outspoken defender of reproductive rights for all Wisconsinites, and promises to support gun safety reform laws like background checks and red flag laws for domestic abusers. She is challenging Republican incumbent Shae Sortwell, who in 2021 compared a nonprofit children's museum to the Nazi Party, who signed a January 2021 letter asking then-Vice President Pence to refuse to certify the 2020 presidential election results, and who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Gasch is the progressive choice in this race.

A Milwaukee native, Darrin Madison has long fought for justice and equity, including through roles with the Urban Ecology Center (UEC), the City of Milwaukee's Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO), and the African American Roundtable. Madison is a strong advocate for youth voices, education, climate change/sustainability, youth criminal justice reform, and economic development, who believes government should serve as a mechanism for communities to thrive. Madison promises to prioritize creating safe communities, pushing for healthcare access and reform, investing in housing, transit, and environmental sustainability, and reforming Wisconsin's criminal justice system. While he is unopposed in November, Madison is the progressive choice in this race.

Logistics professional, community volunteer, and mom of two teenagers, Sarah Harrison is passionate about advocating for public education, tax relief for our working families, and accessible healthcare for all. Running to succeed State Representative Sara Rodriguez in the Assembly, Harrison has devoted volunteer time to addressing hunger mitigation and environmental cleanup, as well as tutoring at-need students in her community. Harrison promises to work day in and day out to bring positive results to the 13th District, which was one of only two Wisconsin districts to flip from Red to Blue in 2020, by fighting to fund public education, supporting the middle class, bringing fairness and opportunity to workers, and restoring reproductive freedom in Wisconsin. Her opponent is Republican candidate Tom Michalski. Harrison is the progressive choice in this race.

Lifelong Milwaukee resident, former Milwaukee Public Schools teacher, and current Milwaukee County supervisor Ryan Clancy is running on a proudly progressive, intersectional platform of ensuring and expanding access to public spaces and services, advocating for constituents' rights and opportunities, and working to ensure the state budget and legislation truly reflect community priorities. Clancy promises to prioritize support for public schools, fighting for true public safety through community investment, and advocating for a statewide Right to Counsel like he did in Milwaukee County. Clancy also lists strong support for the Abortion Rights Preservation Act which would enshrine the right to an abortion in state law, for defending and celebrating LGBTQ+ residents and communities throughout Wisconsin, and for making sure corporations and the extremely wealthy pay their fair share. While Clancy is unopposed in November, he is a progressive choice in this race.

Father of three, community volunteer, and employee rights attorney who previously served as executive director of a labor-management organization representing Southeast Wisconsin's union trades and affiliated contractors, Nathan Jurowski is running for the 21st Assembly District on a platform of community-based leadership. Jurowski's priorities include ensuring our public schools have adequate funding, protecting Wisconsin's labor force, and defending civil rights like marriage equality, reproductive freedom, and voting rights. He is committed to focusing on kitchen table issues and to rejecting mean-spirited policies designed to divide and marginalize people. Jurowski is challenging Republican incumbent Jessie Rodriguez, who holds a leadership position within the Assembly Republican caucus and is a member of the Joint Finance Committee where she has cast consistently anti-healthcare, anti-public education, anti-worker, and anti-middle class votes. Jurowski is the progressive choice in this race.

A veterinarian, small business owner, and president of the Western Wisconsin Health board of directors, Danielle Johnson is running for the 29th Assembly District to give back to the community that has given her so much since she settled in St. Croix County more than a decade ago. Johnson is focused on fighting for Wisconsin families, freedoms, and futures by expanding BadgerCare, making smart investments to create good-paying jobs, providing working families some relief from rising costs, strengthening the freedom to vote, finding state-level solutions to climate change, and fighting to expand broadband access. Johnson strongly supports a person's right to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions and believes abortion should be safe, legal and accessible in Wisconsin. Johnson is challenging Republican incumbent Clint Moses, who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Johnson is the progressive choice in this race.

Former District Attorney Sarah Yacoub's platform is simple: Healthy People, Healthy Economy. She believes in expanding Medicaid and creating a BadgerCare public option, while exploring a BadgerCare for All model. Mental health and substance abuse issues are also top priorities for Yacoub, which would mean expanding opioid treatment options, and improving access to mental health and addiction treatment. She also favors fully funding public schools, nonpartisan redistricting, enacting paid family leave, supporting affordable childcare, and more. Yacoub has progressive policies to meet every issue facing the 30th district. Also in the race is Republican incumbent Shannon Zimmerman, who was on the Joint Committee on Finance, which considers the state budget. He was a key opponent of Governor Evers' effort to expand Medicaid and increase education funding, and he is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Yacoub is the progressive choice in this race.

Longtime educator Don Vruwink is running for re-election in the re-drawn 33rd Assembly District. Vruwink has been a leader in the fight for nonpartisan redistricting and an advocate for fair compensation for teachers. Vruwink supports a worker's right to join a union and collectively bargain and sees the creation of family sustaining jobs as a top priority. His opponent is Republican Scott L. Johnson. Vruwink is the progressive choice in this race.

Beloit city council president Clinton Anderson is running to succeed Mark Spreitzer in representing the 45th Assembly District. Anderson is a lifelong Beloit resident who wants to help every Wisconsinite have a higher quality of life and believes government should start at the local level. Anderson's platform includes support for increasing funding for public schools and mental health access, expanding BadgerCare, raising the minimum wage, increasing access to childcare and quality affordable housing, and fighting for non-partisan redistricting reform. Anderson also favors efforts to move to renewable energy sources and is a strong supporter of workers' rights. Also running is longtime insurance executive and Republican candidate Jeff Klett, who has connections to a conservative pro-voucher billionaire, who was a vocal opponent of the Affordable Care Act, and who was previously endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Anderson is the progressive candidate in this race.

Lifelong 51st Assembly District resident, local elected official, mom of three and small business owner Leah Spicer is running for Assembly because she believes in a vibrant, prosperous, and thriving future for her community. As someone who is family focused and solution oriented, Spicer's top priorities include access to affordable healthcare, high quality childcare, investment and support for small businesses and farms, and ensuring our rural public schools have adequate funding. Spicer also supports expanding access to broadband internet and views clean water, land, and air as essential to our economy and way of life in Wisconsin. In the Assembly, Spicer promises to protect reproductive healthcare including the right to choose. Also running is Republican Todd Novak, who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest, and who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes. Spicer is the progressive choice in this race.

Currently serving her second term as mayor for the city of Oshkosh, Lori Palmeri is running to succeed Gordon Hintz as State Representative for the 54th Assembly District. Responsive, reliable, and results-focused, Palmeri has deep connections throughout Oshkosh stemming from her service in local office, her membership on various boards and commissions in the community, and her leadership role in creating the Middle Village Neighborhood Association and others since 2011. Palmeri believes public policy should be centered on people, which is why she promises to champion fair wages and taxes, affordable housing, increasing access to affordable healthcare including expanding BadgerCare, strong public schools and a strong UW system, and a clean environment. Palmeri is also deeply committed to fighting for safe and legal abortion access. Also running is Republican candidate Donnie Herman, who believes the state should give special tax breaks to big corporations, says he is all about guns, and regularly spreads misinformation online, particularly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Palmeri is the progressive choice in this race.

Appleton resident and software developer Patrick Hayden is running for the 56th Assembly District to help ensure state tax dollars are being used to improve our public schools, invest in the future of energy production, and increase public safety in our communities, not wasted on frivolous, divisive policies. Hayden's top priorities include increasing state funding for K-12 public education, fighting for nonpartisan redistricting, capping the cost of insulin, investing in biogas, and decriminalizing marijuana possession. If elected, Hayden promises to maintain open lines of communication throughout the 56th district even when folks disagree. His opponent is Republican incumbent Dave Murphy, who signed a January 2021 letter asking then-Vice President Pence to refuse to certify the 2020 presidential election results and who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Hayden is the progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Lee Snodgrass believes that every Wisconsinite should have access to affordable healthcare and supports Medicaid expansion and defending the Affordable Care Act. She supports restoring local school funding, holding private schools that receive publicly funded vouchers to higher standards, and investing in technical colleges. Snodgrass believes in marijuana legalization, nonpartisan redistricting, sustainable funding for roads and bridges, universal background checks, and a woman's right to choose. She also favors supporting working families through paid family leave and minimum wage standards. Her opponent is Republican candidate Andrew Fox. Snodgrass is the progressive choice in this race.

Dan Larsen is a lifelong Ozaukee County resident, community advocate, and former public defender who is running for the 60th Assembly District. Larsen's platform centers on standing up for your freedom and rights, including the right to choose whether or when to start a familiy, making our communities safe by enacting common sense gun safety reforms, providing opportunity for all, and ensuring Wisconsin's government is open and transparent. Larsen supports making the right to choose and the right to contraception part of state law right here in Wisconsin. He is also an outspoken advocate for making our communities truly safe for all, through policies like universal background checks, making greater investments in mental health services and drug treatment programs, legalizing marijuana, and adopting evidence-based solutions that address inequities and save lives. Larsen is challenging Republican incumbent Rob Brooks, who signed a January 2021 letter asking then-Vice President Pence to refuse to certify the 2020 presidential election results and is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Larsen is the more progressive choice in this race.

Greta Neubauer has been working in progressive politics for over a decade and serves as the Assembly Democratic Leader. During her time in office, Neubauer has pushed for increased access to affordable healthcare and programs to reduce racial disparities in healthcare. She has authored legislation on job creation and democracy strengthening reforms, and provided a strong progressive voice on the Joint Finance Committee during the 2021-22 session. Neubauer cares deeply about addressing climate change, including leading the introduction of the Forward On Climate legislative package. Neubauer is the progressive choice in this race.

Speech and language pathologist, educator, and longtime LGBTQ+ Community Center volunteer Jason D. Bennett is running for the 67th Assembly District to amplify the voices of residents who have been ignored for too long. Bennett is running on a pro-equality, pro-public education, pro-democracy, pro-environment, and pro-worker platform. Bennett is challenging Republican Rob Summerfield, who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Bennett is the more progressive choice in this race.

Nate Otto is deeply connected to the 68th Assembly District through his role as an Eau Claire County board supervisor, adjunct CVTC professor, former Cub Scout leader, and community volunteer. Otto loves being part of the Altoona community, and promises to advocate for issues that will protect and improve the lives of district residents. Otto's priorities include expanding rural broadband, protecting our waterways, investing in mental health support, addressing housing affordability challenges, and restoring reproductive rights in Wisconsin. Also running is Republican candidate Karen Hurd, who opposes abortion in cases of rape and incest and opposes same-sex marriage. Otto is the more progressive choice in this race.

Lisa Boero is an author, attorney, wife, and mother from Marshfield who is running for the 69th Assembly District. Boero supports increasing funding for local public schools, community colleges, and skilled trade programs, expanding broadband access for rural families and businesses, and increasing access to affordable childcare. Boero is particularly passionate about health and welfare of Wisconsin families. Her opponent is Republican incumbent Donna Rozar, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes and who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Boero is the more progressive choice in this race.

Central Wisconsin native Criste Greening is running for the 72nd Assembly District after earning her teaching degree in special education and working as an educator for over twenty years. A long time community advocate who has fought for workers' rights, a fair democracy and a clean environment, Greening knows how important it is that our State Representative actually listen to the people and reflect their interests and concerns. Greening lists a comprehensive platform of progressive views, including fighting for clean water, raising the minimum wage, supporting common-sense gun safety legislation, and ensuring Wisconsin's public schools have the resources they need to teach our kids. Greening is also a supporter of reproductive rights, including contraception and abortion, though she supports banning abortion after 20 weeks. Greening is challenging Republican incumbent Scott Krug, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes. Greening is the progressive choice in this race.

Raised in northern Wisconsin where she is now raising two sons and running her own business, Laura Gapske is running to succeed Nick Milroy in the 73rd Assembly District. Gapske believes our democracy is on the line, and knows how important it is to protect Governor Tony Evers' veto. Gapske believes healthcare is a human right, supports the right to a safe and legal abortion, and knows we need more state resources invested in our communities to update our bridges, roads, and state highways. As a former member of the Superior school board, Gapske is a passionate supporter of strong public schools and will fight for equitable, sustainable state investment to ensure our kids receive a high-quality education. Gapske also agrees that we must invest more resources in local law enforcement and public safety efforts, because she has seen the consequences of disinvestment firsthand through her small business providing support to child victims and families within the legal system, and through her advocacy in numerous public safety spaces. Also running is Republican candidate Angie Sapik. Gapske is the progressive choice in this race.

John Adams is a local farmer, small business owner, former local elected official and longtime resident of the town of Washburn. Adams knows that our northern Wisconsin communities have different needs than other large urban areas and he has the right experience to be a progressive advocate for the 74th Assembly District. Adams strongly supports expanding broadband internet access in our region, seeking cooperative energy opportunities, and wants to create economic solutions that actually work for our communities. As a founding member of the Wisconsin Farmers Union chapter in Ashland and Bayfield counties, Adams has a deep understanding of the needs and priorities of our local farms and farmers. Also running is Republican candidate Chanz Green. Adams is the more progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Francesca Hong is running for re-election on a progressive platform that is built around an intersectional understanding of Madison's challenges and a commitment to addressing systemic economic inequalities. Hong believes addressing racial inequity is an issue not just of police reform but also education and healthcare policy. Also a small business owner in the food service industry, Hong believes in reversing Act 10, supports universal child care benefits, and increased funding to public schools, especially for special needs programs. In her first term in office, Hong co-authored the Economic Justice Bill of Rights, which seeks to make Wisconsin a place where everyone can achieve economic security, opportunity, and freedom. Hong has a comprehensive progressive platform and is the progressive choice for District 76.

Dane County board supervisor, former legislative aide, and longtime community volunteer Alex Joers is invested in creating a brighter future for Wisconsin. Growing up, Joers worked at his family's small business and learned important lessons about working hard, adjusting to new situations, and giving back to the community. After graduating from UW-La Crosse in 2015, Joers combined his knowledge, skills, and values by serving as legislative aide in the Wisconsin State Capitol. There, he learned the ins and outs of policymaking and deepened his connection to the 79th Assembly District. Joers' platform includes supporting small businesses, protecting our environment, investing in public education, and fighting for workers. Joers is also a strong defender of reproductive freedom, incuding the right to an abortion, and promises to fight for common sense gun safety laws. Also running is Republican candidate Victoria Fueger. Joers is the progressive choice in this race.

LuAnn Bird is a former school board member and education professional, former League of Women Voters director, and former nonprofit development professional who is running for the 84th Assembly District to continue using her skills and experience to serve her community. Bringing enthusiasm and determination to every challenge she faces, Bird's top priorities in the Assembly would include working to restore faith in our democracy and ensuring all eligible voters - including voters with disabilities - can vote, addressing the challenge of rising costs, restoring reproductive freedom for all Wisconsinites, working toward safer schools and public spaces, and addressing mental health needs in our community. The grandmother of three, mother of two, and wife of a Vietnam veteran who has been paralyzed for 32 years, Bird knows that the policy decisions made in the State Capitol have a real life impact on Wisconsin families. Bird is facing Republican candiate Bob Donovan, who has long been known for spouting racist views, recently ran a divisive and unsuccessful campaign for mayor of the City of Milwaukee, and who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Bird is the progressive choice in this race.

Schofield alder Kristin Conway is a nonprofit professional and mom of four who is running to be a progressive voice for the 85th Assembly District. Conway's top priorities include ensuring that Wisconsinites have access to clean water, protecting and funding our public schools, supporting safe and legal access to abortion, enacting universal background checks on gun purchases, taking action to help working families with rising costs, and increasing access to affordable healthcare. Conway is been a strong supporter of LGBTQ rights, and has spoken out against Republican efforts to target transgender girls who want to play sports on girls sports teams, citing her own athletic experience competing on teams and against teams that include transgender women. In the Assembly, Conway promises to be a strong, honest, thoughtful, progressive leader who truly represents the people of Central Wisconsin. Conway is challenging Republican incumbent Pat Snyder, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes. Conway is the progressive choice in this race.

Elizabeth ("Buffy") Riley is a longtime registered nurse who currently works at a critical access hospital as well as a former educator and former coach who is deeply invested in the future of her community. Riley is running for the 87th Assembly District to protect Wisconsin's clean air and water, ensure our public schools have the resources they need to attract well-qualified teachers, and expand access to affordable healthcare for all, including expanding BadgerCare here in Wisconsin. Riley strongly supports women's reproductive freedom and believes collective bargaining is a human right. Riley recognizes the 87th Assembly District is expertly gerrymandered, but is challenging Republican incumbent James "Jimmy Boy" Edming again because she believes voters deserve a choice and voters want a change. Edming has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes and is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Riley is the more progressive choice in this race.

Born and raised in Green Bay, Hannah Beauchamp-Pope is a community leader, nonprofit advocate, and current senior at UWGB. Beauchamp-Pope is deeply committed to an intersectional progressive vision for Green Bay and for Wisconsin, which includes supporting our public schools, rejecting rightwing culture wars in the classroom, and giving power back to Wisconsin's educators and the unions who represent them. Beauchamp-Pope believes healthcare is a human right, and supports expanding BadgerCare and restoring reproductive freedom and choice for all Wisconsinites. Beauchamp-Pope's platform also includes a commitment to fixing Wisconsin's broken criminal justice system, fighting for climate justice, and ensuring all Wisconsinites have easy access to the ballot. She is challenging Republican incumbent John Macco, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes. Beauchamp-Pope is the progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Kristina Shelton is a firm believer in public education. In her first term in the Assembly, Shelton advocated for the state to return to two-thirds funding for public schools, fund special education, and end the taxpayer-funded private school voucher program. Shelton is also a vocal supporter of BadgerCare expansion, confronting climate change, and affordable housing investments. Shelton is strongly pro-choice and was a lead co-author of the Economic Justice Bill of Rights, which laid out a clear vision for Wisconsin to be a place where everyone can achieve economic security, opportunity, and freedom. Her opponent is Republican candidate Micah Behnke. Shelton is the progressive choice in this race.

Representative Jodi Emerson feels compelled by challenges in education, healthcare, and a lack of well-paid jobs. After being diagnosed with a chronic health condition, she saw firsthand the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare for all. She is also an advocate for social justice, more education funding, and protecting natural resources. She authored a bill to phase out Wisconsin's private school voucher program and has been a strong defender of Wisconsin's democracy as a member of the Assembly Campaigns & Elections Committee. Her opponent is Republican candidate Josh Stanley. Emerson is the progressive choice in this race.

A small business owner, farmer, community leader, and resident of Mondovi, Maria Bamonti is dedicated to supporting the families, economies, and environment of the 92nd Assembly District. Climate change, clean water, broadband, healthcare, and education are top priorities for Bamonti. She sees reliable, affordable high-speed internet as a fundamental need in today's society, because it is essential to connecting rural households, schools, markets, and healthcare systems. Bamonti is also committed to fighting for reproductive rights, including equal access to contraception and safe and legal abortion care. Bamonti is challenging Republican incumbent Treig Pronschinske, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes. In 2022, Pronschinske received national attention for saying that people can't stop the COVID-19 virus because they can't see it. Bamonti is the more progressive choice in this race.

Alison Page is a lifelong resident of River Falls, former school board member, and former foster parent who served as CEO of Western Wisconsin Health for thirteen years before retiring earlier this year. Now running for the 93rd Assembly District, Page's top three priorities are attracting and retaining good businesses that provide career opportunities, ensuring every child reaches adulthood with the knowledge and skills to contribute to society, and respecting Wisconsin's water, air, and soil for the benefit of future generations. Page believes state government has an important, positive role to play in supporting economic growth by strengthening infrastructure, expanding broadband, and ensuring our public education system has the funding it needs. Page is challenging Republican incumbent Warren Petryk, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes and who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Page is the more progressive choice in this race.

Steve Doyle is a moderate Democrat running for re-election to his sixth term as an Assembly member from the 94th District. When it comes to environmental issues, labor, and welfare, Doyle is relatively progressive. He was a leader in the fight against Act 10 and has a strong record on LGBTQ+ equality. While he is personally anti-choice, he has voted pro-choice as a legislator. He is a supporter of gun rights and has received an endorsement from the NRA in the past. However, he did co-sponsor a universal background check bill. Doyle is known for his bipartisanship. His challenger, Republican candidate Ryan Huebsch, has worked for multiple Republican legislators and is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Although Doyle is not as progressive as some other legislators, he has always stood up for progressive issues like labor rights, public schools, and the environment when it counts. Doyle is the progressive choice in this race.

Jayne Swiggum is a former nurse and teacher who was born in Gays Mills, raised in Viroqua, and is now running to represent the 96th Assembly District. Healthcare is one of Swiggum's top issues, and she supports policies like expanding BadgerCare and putting a cap on insulin prices as examples of ways Wisconsin can make affordable healthcare accessible for all. Fair wages, abortion rights, clean air and water, and healthy agriculture are also priorities for Swiggum, as are increasing affordable housing and public safety. Swiggum is challenging Republican incumbent Loren Oldenburg, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes and who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Swiggum is the more progressive candidate in this race.