WEAC Endorsements

Roberta Thelen is a registered nurse, care coordaintor, and Baileys Harbor town supervisor who is running for the 1st Assembly District. Thelen strongly opposes Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which she says is unjust. She is also calling for sensible gun policies, sustainable agriculture, and fact-based, quality education for all Wisconsin students. Thelen is challenging Republican incumbent Joel Kitchens, who has cast consistently anti-healthcare, anti-public education, anti-worker, and anti-middle class 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. Thelen is the progressive choice in this race.

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.

Lifelong Wisconsinite Joey Van Deurzen is running to bring a fresh perspective and responsive leadership to the 5th Assembly District. Van Deurzen lists expanding access to broadband internet, creating more renewable energy options, and investing in public schools as some of his top priorities. Deurzen also strongly supports reproductive freedom, and promises to work to restore and protect reproductive rights for all Wisconsinites. Raised in West De Pere by parents who grew up on farms, Van Deurzen worked on a dairy farm throughout high school and knows the value of education and a hard-earned dollar. He promises to bring honesty, an open line of communication, and a strong work ethic to the Assembly. His opponent is Republican candidate Joy Goeben, 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. Van Deurzen is the progressive choice in this race.

Shawano County board supervisor and Village of Wittenberg president William Switalla promises to be a positive change for the 6th Assembly District. A small business owner and father of seven, Switalla believes that government is about good ideas, not about political parties. Switalla believes in making sure our public schools are strong and financially healthy, that workers are paid a fair wage, and that our roads and infrastructure are repaired and safe. Switalla faces Republican candidate Peter Schmidt of Bonduel, who was charged with a felony for choking a worker on his family farm in 2019 and was later convicted of criminal trespassing. Schmidt wants to gut gun safety laws by prohibiting Wisconsin from enforcing federal gun laws, wants to eliminate gun-free zones, believes the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump, and says he will oppose all efforts to repeal Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban. Also running as a write-in candidate is Dean Martin Neubert, who is backed by local Republican Party groups as well as an extreme rightwing organization that wants to ban all abortions without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Switalla is the more progressive choice in this race.

Daniel Riemer is running for re-election to the State Assembly. A Milwaukee native who was first elected to the Assembly in 2012, Riemer has been a vocal advocate for BadgerCare expansion, strong public schools, and increasing tax credits for working families in Wisconsin. In addition to serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly, Riemer serves in the U.S. Army Reserves as well. He is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. His opponent is Republican Zachary Marshall. Riemer is the progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Marisabel Cabrera is an immigration lawyer, Chair of the legislature's LGBTQ Caucus, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Latino Caucus. She is an advocate for progressive values, including the fight for affordable health care and a living wage. She will stand up for the rights of marginalized communities and advocate for sustainable environmental policy. Her opponent is Republican candidate Ryan Antczak. Cabrera 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.

Robyn Vining is running for her third term in the State Assembly. Vining lists affordable and safe healthcare, reproductive rights, violence prevention, and ensuring adequate funding for strong public schools among her top priorities. She has been a leader in pushing for nonpartisan redistricting and in introducing and advocating for the Healthcare Heroes Act, which would provide hazard pay, paid sick leave, and healthcare coverage to frontline healthcare workers. In the legislature, Vining has also been a strong advocate for addressing mental health needs throughout Wisconsin and meeting the needs of small businesses in our state. Her opponent is Republican candidate Keva Turner. Vining is the progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde is running for re-election in the 17th Assembly District. Moore Omokunde's top priorities are criminal justice reform, decriminalizing marijuana, ending reckless driving, expanding healthcare access, ensuring affordable housing, and promoting economic development. His opponent is Republican candidate Abie Eisenbach. Moore Omokunde is the progressive choice.

A former public defender and law professor, Evan Goyke has been an effective progressive on many issues in his time in the legislature. He has introduced multiple pieces of legislation on prison reform and other criminal justice reform issues. While ending mass incarceration is the issue on which he has been most active, he is also an advocate for reinvesting in his community when it comes to healthcare, housing and education. Goyke is a member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee, where he articulates a strong progressive vision for Wisconsin. Goyke does not have a Republican challenger. Nevertheless, he is the progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Chris Sinicki has been serving in the legislature since 1999 and has been a progressive advocate on many occasions. She supports a woman's right to choose, public education, raising the minimum wage, and is a legislative leader on fighting for policies that support working people. Also running is Republican Scott Hermann. Sinicki is the 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.

Business leader, community volunteer, former firefighter, and Mequon resident, Bob Tatterson is committed to bringing progressive values and real-world experience to the State Capitol. Tatterson believes in reproductive freedom and supports efforts to repeal Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban. He also believes everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, which is why he supports gun safety measures like background checks and red flag laws. Tatterson's platform includes support for additional investment in public schools, growing energy independence in Wisconsin, and protecting our environment, as well as making sure the economy works for everyone by leveling the playing field for the middle class and sending more of Wisconisn's projected budget surplus back to taxpayers to help offset rising costs. Tatterson is challenging Republican incumbent Dan Knodl, 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 supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Tatterson is the progressive choice in this race.

Lisa Salgado is a human rights advocate, business owner, healthcare worker, foster parent, and mom who running to be a progressive voice and strong advocate for the people of Sheboygan in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Salgado believes we should expand affordable healthcare, adequately fund public education, enact common sense gun reforms, strengthen the freedom to vote, and work to ensure Wisconsin is a state that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. Salgado is challenging Republican incumbent Terry Katsma, who is endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the life of the pregnant person is at risk. Salgado is the more 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.

A Whitewater city council member, small business owner, former UW-Whitewater professor, and one of the original organizers of Whitewater's downtown weekly farmer's market, Brienne Brown is running for Assembly to put her community, government, and business experience to work in the State Capitol. Brown is deeply involved in her community and promises to represent the interests of everyone in the 31st District, whether they live in a village or a small town, by working across the aisle and making government work for the people. Her priorities include fighting to ensure our public schools have adequate funding, supporting small businesses and family-owned farms, improving access to broadband, and investing in public safety. She also supports reproductive freedom so that women can plan their families without interference from the government. Also in this race is Republican candidate Ellen Schutt, 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. Brown is the progressive candidate in this race.

Rhinelander city council president Eileen Daniel is running to represent Vilas and Oneida counties in the State Assembly. Recognizing that many significant issues are going to come down to the state level, Daniel promises to listen to all of her constitituents and make sure the people of the northwoods are heard in the legislature. Daniel strongly supports women's reproductive rights and believes everyone deserves good healthcare, which is why she supports expanding BadgerCare. Her priorities also include ensuring public schools have adequate funding, strengthening PFAS standards, promoting affordable housing, and fighting for equality. Daniel favors common sense gun safety measures like stronger background checks and red flag laws, but notes that her household owns guns, uses guns, and stores guns properly. Daniel is challenging Republican incumbent Rob Swearingen, who has cast consistent anti-public schools, anti-environment, anti-choice, and anti-democracy votes in the Assembly. Daniel is the progressive choice in this race.

Navy veteran Ben Murray calls himself an independent-minded Democrat who is running for Assembly because he doesn't want rural folks to be taken for granted. Murray's top priorities include addressing PFAS contamination in our water, advocating for more support for rural areas improving rural roads and bridges, and expanding rural broadband access. Murray is challenging Republican incumbent Jeff Mursau, who signed a January 2021 letter asking then-Vice President Pence to refuse to certify the 2020 presidential election results. While some of Murray's views lean conservative, he holds more progressive views than Mursau on balance and has expressed a desire to learn more about the issues. For that reason, in this race, Murray is the more progressive choice.

Lifelong Lodi resident, Columbia County board supervisor, former small business owner, journey-person tool and die maker, and AFT Local 243 union member Theresa Valencia believes government should be about improving people's lives, not political scheming. Valencia is a passionate supporter of access to affordable healthcare including expanding BadgerCare, believes we must fully fund our public schools and support our educators, thinks corporations and the extremely wealthy should pay their fair share, and promises to support reproductive freedom for Wisconsin women. Valencia also supports common sense gun safety. Also in this race is Republican incumbent Jon Plumer, who has consistently cast anti-public education, anti-democracy, and anti-worker 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. Valencia is the more progressive choice in this race.

Jenna Jacobson has deep ties to the 43rd Assembly District. Jacobson is currently serving her third term as Village of Oregon Trustee and working as a Housing Program Specialist to help people get and stay in affordable, quality housing in Dane County. Jacobson promises to fight for our shared values like making sure our public schools are fully funded, expanding broadband internet access, expanding BadgerCare and mental health support, fighting to protect Wisconsin's natural resources and promoting access to clean water, and supporting family farms throughout Wisconsin. Jacobson is also passionate about women's rights. She is a pro-choice candidate who believes Wisconsin should legalize abortion. Her opponent is Republican candidate Marisa Voelkel, 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. Jacobson is the progressive candidate in this race.

Sue Conley is running for re-election to continue representing Janesville, a city she has lived in for nearly 40 years, in the State Assembly. Her top priorities include nonpartisan redistricting, a "housing-first" homelessness approach, allowing vote-by-mail, and expanding BadgerCare. Her opponent, Republican candidate Spencer Zimmerman, calls himself a Trump conservative 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. Conley is the progressive candidate 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.

State Representative Jimmy Anderson is a dedicated progressive who began his career as a lawyer. He is an advocate for safe driving and the victims of drunk driving accidents, having been paralyzed from the chest down by a drunk driver himself. In the Legislature, he has been a progressive voice on a variety of issues. Anderson believes in transparent government, a clean environment, and a well-funded educational system. He has introduced legislation to address gun violence, cap insulin prices, and strengthen environmental regulations. Anderson has also been a vocal advocate for BadgerCare expansion. His opponent is Republican Lamonte Newsom. Anderson is the progressive choice in this race.

Originally from The Gambia in West Africa, State Representative Samba Baldeh is running for re-election in the 48th Assembly District. Baldeh has a progressive message, particularly on environmental issues. He is committed to 100% carbon-free energy by 2050 and was a lead author of the CLEAR Act to enact and enforce statewide PFAS standards and fund PFAS testing, monitoring, and mitigation efforts. Baldeh is pro-choice and in favor of BadgerCare expansion and criminal justice reform. His other priorities include increasing affordable housing to eliminate homelessness, and changing education funding from property taxes to state funding, while maintaining local control of schools. While Baldeh does not have an opponent this election, he is the progressive choice in this race.

The first African American female pastor at Bread of Life Church, first African American female board member for Family Advocate, and first African American female alder for the City of Platteville, Lynne Parrott is committed to breaking barriers and making connections in her community. Parrott's top priorities include protecting human rights, including making abortion safe and legal in Wisconsin, increasing access to mental health resources for our kids, increasing state-shared resources, enacting common sense gun safety measures like banning assault weapons for non-military use, and improving domestic violence policies so all Wisconsinites can be safe. However, she appears to hold some policy views that are not progressive. Parrott is challenging Republican incumbent Travel Tranel, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes. On balance, Parrott is the more progressive choice in this race.

In his campaign for the 50th Assembly District, Michael Leuth cites the need to protect our clean air and water as top priorities. Leuth supports ensuring our public schools have adequate funding, supporting small businesses, legalizing medical marijuana, and generally believes abortion should be a decision between a patient and their doctor. Leuth is challenging Republican incumbent Tony Kurtz, 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. While Leuth is more centrist than truly progressive, he is the more progressive option 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.

Fond du Lac resident Joe Lavrenz is running for the open 52nd Assembly District seat. Lavrenz supports making higher education for affordable and accessible, legalizing marijuana, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and providing additional resources to smaller municipalities to address road safety issues. His opponent is Republican candidate Jerry O'Connor, 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. Lavrenz is the more 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.

A strategic business consultant and former Peace Corps volunteer who previously served on the Neenah Joint School District school board, Stefanie Holt is running for the 55th Assembly District to put her experience and passion to work helping others. Holt's platform includes supporting public education, advocating for affordable living initiatives, improving infrastructure, and protecting the environment. Holt also strongly supports expanding affordable healthcare access, including comprehensive reproductive healthcare. Holt supports the right to a safe and legal abortion. Also running is Republican candidate Nate Gustafson. Holt 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.

Longtime Racine resident Anthony Hammes is a strong advocate for mental health whose top priorities include empowering communities through education, being fiscally responsible, and finding meaningful solutions to Wisconsin's challenges through compromise. Hammes supports investing in our roads, communities, and small businesses, and says that Wisconsinites' economic security is a top issue. Hammes is challenging Republican incumbent Robert Wittke, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes. Hammes is the more progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Tip McGuire is running for re-election to represent the 64th Assembly District. In his first two terms, McGuire has helped introduce multiple pieces of important progressive legislation, including the Healthcare Heroes Act, which would provide paid sick leave, hazard pay, and no-cost COVID-19 healthcare coverage for frontline healthcare workers, and the Safer Wisconsin proposal, which would invest $115 million of state surplus resources in a broad array of public safety programs to strengthen communities and reduce crime. McGuire has also worked across the aisle to pass key components of his Main Street Recovery package, which provided relief to small business and working families. McGuire is pro-choice and promises to continue prioritizing support working families and the middle class by building a strong pathway to economic security. His opponent is Republican candidate Ed Hibsch. McGuire is the progressive choice in this race.

Tod Ohnstad was elected to represent workers at AMC/Chrysler for the UAW for 25 years and has since been elected to represent the citizens of the 65th District in the State Assembly for the last ten years. His priorities are healthcare, education, and tax fairness. He has sponsored bills on those issues and others, including LGBTQ+ rights, environmental protection, criminal justice, and union rights. His opponent is Republican challenger Frank Petrick. Ohnstad is the 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.

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.

Rep. Katrina Shankland believes in investing in public education and technical schools, repairing roads and bridges, and supporting family-paying jobs. Shankland has been a leader in the efforts to enact measures to protect clean water and is a consistent supporter of reproductive rights. Her opponent is Republican candidate Scott Soik, who was endorsed by the NRA and an extreme right wing group that supports Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Shankland is the progressive candidate 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.

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.

An advocate, neighborhood organizer, and Dane County Board member, Shelia Stubbs was elected as the first Black State Assembly Representative from Dane County in 2018. She is a strong advocate for restorative justice and racial equity, and has authored legislation on women's health, marijuana decriminalization, and gun safety. She also supports policies to protect our clean air and water, increase access to health care, and strengthen the safety net for seniors, children, and people with disabilities. While she is running unopposed, Stubbs is the progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Lisa Subeck is running for re-election to represent the 78th Assembly District. Prior to becoming an elected official, Subeck worked as an early childhood educator, housing program coordinator, and NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Executive Director. In the Assembly, Subeck has been a progressive leader on such issues as affordable healthcare, reproductive health services, campaign finance reform, and strengthening schools. As the ranking Democrat on the Assembly Health Committee, Subeck has been a leading pro-choice voice in the Assembly. Additionally, as a member of the Assembly Campaigns & Elections Committee, she has played an important role in pushing back against Republican lies and conspiracies theories about the 2020 election. Her opponent is Republican candidate Matt Neuhaus. Subeck is the progressive choice in this race.

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.

Dane County supervisor, former City of Verona alder, small business owner, founder of the New Leaders Council Wisconsin chapter, and experienced public policy advocate Mike Bare is running for the 80th Assembly District to champion progressive values in the State Capitol. As a longtime aide to U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, Bare knows the ins and outs of fighting for progressive policies and being responsive to constituents. Bare's top three priorities are defending our democracy, protecting our rights including the right to a safe and legal abortion, and tacking climate change. But no matter the issue or the decision before him, Bare is guided by values like showing empathy for others, ensuring fairness in processes, and achieving equity in outcomes. Also running is Republican candidate Jacob Luginbuhl. Bare is the progressive choice in this race.

Former dairy goat farmer and special education teacher Dave Considine has been serving in the Assembly since 2014. Considine has a reputation as a pragmatic and bipartisan legislator who favors common-sense, community-minded legislation. Considine believes in investing public money into public schools, supports reproductive rights, and has authored numerous bills on education, conservation, and marijuana decriminalization. His opponent is Republican candidate Shellie Benish, 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. Considine is the progressive choice in this race.

Deborah Davis is a longtime resident of Franklin, former civics teacher and union member, community leader and volunteer, and small business owner running to represent the 82nd Assembly District. Davis promises to provide safer, stronger, smarter leadership in the State Capitol by pushing for policies like universal background checks and red flag laws, investing some of Wisconsin's budget surplus in ways that help families deal with rising costs, making big corporations pay their fair share, and ensuring our public schools have adequate funding to provide a high-quality educataion to our kids. Davis is challenging Republican incumbent Chuck Wichgers, who signed a January 2021 letter asking then-Vice President Pence to refuse to certify the 2020 presidential election results, authored a bill censoring educators from providing accurate, honest, factual information to students about events like the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement, 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. Davis the more 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.