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Return Ballots by Tuesday, November 5th
The Wisconsin Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Absentee ballots must be received by your municipal clerk by Tuesday, November 5 at 8PM. Vote in every race on your ballot, then share this guide with your friends and family!
State Senate
State Senator, District 14
Sarah Keyeski is a mental health counselor and nonprofit founder born and raised in Wisconsin. Keyeski grew up on a family farm and understands what it means to be part of a close-knit rural community. As a mother of six children and wife of a cancer survivor, her largest legislative priorities are quality public schools, accessible childcare, and affordable healthcare. Keyeski believes divisive politics are not beneficial for Wisconsin, and plans to work with anyone in the Legislature who shares her values. Keyeski’s opponent in this election is Senator Joan Ballweg, who has been endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Sarah Keyeski is the progressive choice in this race.
Sarah Keyeski is a mental health counselor and nonprofit founder born and raised in Wisconsin. Keyeski grew up on a family farm and understands what it means to be part of a close-knit rural community. As a mother of six children and wife of a cancer survivor, her largest legislative priorities are quality public schools, accessible childcare, and affordable healthcare. Keyeski believes divisive politics are not beneficial for Wisconsin, and plans to work with anyone in the Legislature who shares her values. Keyeski’s opponent in this election is Senator Joan Ballweg, who has been endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Sarah Keyeski is the progressive choice in this race.
State Senator, District 16
Former warehouse employee and paralegal Melissa Ratcliff has been involved in Dane County politics since being elected to the Cottage Grove Village Board in 2018. Since then, she has served three terms on the Dane County Board and one term in the State Assembly, all while continuing her paralegal career. Ratcliff now plans to serve as a full-time legislator working to increase investment in roads and public safety, ensure safe communities for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and create more affordable housing. She is also a strong supporter of reproductive freedom and will fight Republican efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. Melissa Ratcliff is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.
Former warehouse employee and paralegal Melissa Ratcliff has been involved in Dane County politics since being elected to the Cottage Grove Village Board in 2018. Since then, she has served three terms on the Dane County Board and one term in the State Assembly, all while continuing her paralegal career. Ratcliff now plans to serve as a full-time legislator working to increase investment in roads and public safety, ensure safe communities for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and create more affordable housing. She is also a strong supporter of reproductive freedom and will fight Republican efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. Melissa Ratcliff is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.
State Senator, District 18
A longtime advocate and volunteer who serves on Appleton's Common Council, Kristin Alfheim is running for Senate because she believes everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed. Alfheim's top priorities include ensuring that all kids get a solid, well-rounded education in Wisconsin, that residents have good paying jobs, that environmental policy decisions are based on science and lead to carbon neutrality by 2050, and that large corporations pay their fair share in taxes. Raised on a beef farm, Alfheim knows the value of hard work, problem-solving, and good communication, and she brings these values to her volunteer work with nonprofit groups like the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Wisconsin. Alfheim is the progressive choice in this race.
A longtime advocate and volunteer who serves on Appleton's Common Council, Kristin Alfheim is running for Senate because she believes everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed. Alfheim's top priorities include ensuring that all kids get a solid, well-rounded education in Wisconsin, that residents have good paying jobs, that environmental policy decisions are based on science and lead to carbon neutrality by 2050, and that large corporations pay their fair share in taxes. Raised on a beef farm, Alfheim knows the value of hard work, problem-solving, and good communication, and she brings these values to her volunteer work with nonprofit groups like the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Wisconsin. Alfheim is the progressive choice in this race.
State Senator, District 20
Small business owner Michael Rapp believes in bringing the Golden Rule to the State Senate. He plans to fight for strong public schools, affordable and accessible healthcare, and an economy where everyone pays their fair share. Rapp is opposed by Republican Senator Dan Feyen, who has previously been endorsed by an extreme anti-abortion group seeking to ban the procedure without exception. Michael Rapp is the more progressive choice in this race.
Small business owner Michael Rapp believes in bringing the Golden Rule to the State Senate. He plans to fight for strong public schools, affordable and accessible healthcare, and an economy where everyone pays their fair share. Rapp is opposed by Republican Senator Dan Feyen, who has previously been endorsed by an extreme anti-abortion group seeking to ban the procedure without exception. Michael Rapp is the more progressive choice in this race.
State Assembly
Representative, District 37
LaToya Bates has career experience in education, business, and social services. She leads a nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic and sexual abuse, as well as an event management company. Bates knows that Wisconsinites are facing rising costs everywhere, and is committed to finding relief for the middle class. Having worked as an educator, Bates is familiar with the struggles our schools and teachers are facing, and will fight for educational resources to be well-spent. She also plans to advocate for rural healthcare, including mental healthcare, and for the right to choose an abortion. Bates is running against Republican Representative Mark Born, who has previously been endorsed by an extremist group that wants to ban abortion, even in cases when the pregnant person's life is at risk. LaToya Bates is the clear progressive choice in this race.
LaToya Bates has career experience in education, business, and social services. She leads a nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic and sexual abuse, as well as an event management company. Bates knows that Wisconsinites are facing rising costs everywhere, and is committed to finding relief for the middle class. Having worked as an educator, Bates is familiar with the struggles our schools and teachers are facing, and will fight for educational resources to be well-spent. She also plans to advocate for rural healthcare, including mental healthcare, and for the right to choose an abortion. Bates is running against Republican Representative Mark Born, who has previously been endorsed by an extremist group that wants to ban abortion, even in cases when the pregnant person's life is at risk. LaToya Bates is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 38
Izzy Nevarez is the son of Mexican immigrants, and has a background in both the finance and nonprofit sectors. He remembers the safety nets that his family relied upon when he was growing up, such as affordable housing programs, and wants more families to be able to benefit from them. Nevarez believes all Wisconsinites need access to quality healthcare through BadgerCare expansion, and although the 38th district may not be the largest or the wealthiest, its citizens deserve just as much support as others. His opponent is Republican Representative William Penterman, who has previously been endorsed by two of Wisconsin’s most radical anti-abortion organizations. Izzy Nevarez is the progressive choice in this race.
Izzy Nevarez is the son of Mexican immigrants, and has a background in both the finance and nonprofit sectors. He remembers the safety nets that his family relied upon when he was growing up, such as affordable housing programs, and wants more families to be able to benefit from them. Nevarez believes all Wisconsinites need access to quality healthcare through BadgerCare expansion, and although the 38th district may not be the largest or the wealthiest, its citizens deserve just as much support as others. His opponent is Republican Representative William Penterman, who has previously been endorsed by two of Wisconsin’s most radical anti-abortion organizations. Izzy Nevarez is the progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 39
Educator and school administrator Chris Gordon has lived in Wisconsin her entire life, and knows the keys to thriving rural communities are a strong local economy, high-quality schools, and dependable healthcare. She believes in achieving “equity and justice for all,” and plans to prioritize affordable housing and childcare as a member of the Assembly. Gordon is also keenly aware of water quality and environmental issues facing the 39th Assembly District, and wants to fight for improved infrastructure to safeguard central Wisconsin’s natural resources. Gordon is running against Republican Representative Alex Dallman, who has previously been endorsed by two of Wisconsin’s most radical anti-abortion organizations. Christine Gordon is the progressive choice in this race.
Educator and school administrator Chris Gordon has lived in Wisconsin her entire life, and knows the keys to thriving rural communities are a strong local economy, high-quality schools, and dependable healthcare. She believes in achieving “equity and justice for all,” and plans to prioritize affordable housing and childcare as a member of the Assembly. Gordon is also keenly aware of water quality and environmental issues facing the 39th Assembly District, and wants to fight for improved infrastructure to safeguard central Wisconsin’s natural resources. Gordon is running against Republican Representative Alex Dallman, who has previously been endorsed by two of Wisconsin’s most radical anti-abortion organizations. Christine Gordon is the progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 42
Dane County Supervisor and DeForest resident Maureen McCarville is running for the 37th Assembly District to fight for progress in the State Assembly. McCarville supports investing more in education, making healthcare more accessible, keeping Wisconsin's air, water, and land clean, enacting common sense gun safety measures, and protecting women's reproductive rights. McCarville, who served in the Wisconsin National Guard for nine years, also lists investing in Wisconsin's veterans as a priority. She is a long-time community volunteer, even getting recognized by the DeForest Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce as "volunteer of the year" for organizing the annual 4th of July parade. Opposing McCarville is Republican candidate Rebecca Witherspoon. Maureen McCarville is the progressive choice in this race.
Dane County Supervisor and DeForest resident Maureen McCarville is running for the 37th Assembly District to fight for progress in the State Assembly. McCarville supports investing more in education, making healthcare more accessible, keeping Wisconsin's air, water, and land clean, enacting common sense gun safety measures, and protecting women's reproductive rights. McCarville, who served in the Wisconsin National Guard for nine years, also lists investing in Wisconsin's veterans as a priority. She is a long-time community volunteer, even getting recognized by the DeForest Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce as "volunteer of the year" for organizing the annual 4th of July parade. Opposing McCarville is Republican candidate Rebecca Witherspoon. Maureen McCarville is the progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 48
Attorney and former legislative aide Andrew Hysell has over twenty years of public policy experience and plans to use his expertise to represent the 48th Assembly District. Hysell has worked to holistically support veterans, advocated for public education in underserved rural areas, and supported a nonprofit seeking to lower the cost of prescription drugs. He believes in legalizing cannabis, supporting small businesses, and investing in protection for our natural resources. Hysell also has promised, on day one of the new legislative session, to introduce an amendment to the state constitution expressly codifying the right to privacy - the right to choose an abortion, the right to marry who we love, and a right to contraception. He is opposed by Republican candidate Lisa Rubrich. Andrew Hysell is the progressive choice in this race.
Attorney and former legislative aide Andrew Hysell has over twenty years of public policy experience and plans to use his expertise to represent the 48th Assembly District. Hysell has worked to holistically support veterans, advocated for public education in underserved rural areas, and supported a nonprofit seeking to lower the cost of prescription drugs. He believes in legalizing cannabis, supporting small businesses, and investing in protection for our natural resources. Hysell also has promised, on day one of the new legislative session, to introduce an amendment to the state constitution expressly codifying the right to privacy - the right to choose an abortion, the right to marry who we love, and a right to contraception. He is opposed by Republican candidate Lisa Rubrich. Andrew Hysell is the progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 53
Lifelong Neenah resident Duane Shukoski worked for nearly 40 years at Kimberly-Clark and now is seeking to represent the 53rd Assembly District. A proud product of local public schools, Shukoski’s priorities include fully funding public education, wisely stewarding Wisconsin’s natural resources, and protecting the right to choose an abortion. Shukoski is opposed by Republican candidate and former legislator Dean Kaufert, who was previously endorsed by an extreme anti-reproductive rights organization that wants to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Duane Shukoski is the progressive choice in this race.
Lifelong Neenah resident Duane Shukoski worked for nearly 40 years at Kimberly-Clark and now is seeking to represent the 53rd Assembly District. A proud product of local public schools, Shukoski’s priorities include fully funding public education, wisely stewarding Wisconsin’s natural resources, and protecting the right to choose an abortion. Shukoski is opposed by Republican candidate and former legislator Dean Kaufert, who was previously endorsed by an extreme anti-reproductive rights organization that wants to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest. Duane Shukoski is the progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 59
Jack Holzman is a retired educator who taught in the Oak Creek-Franklin School District for over 3 decades. This experience has shown him how critical it is to invest in our public schools so that every child can get the high-equality education they deserve. Similarly, Holzman believes every Wisconsinite has the right to clean air to breathe and safe water to drink. He supports the right to choose an abortion and will fight for working families to get tax relief by forcing corporations to pay their fair share. Holzman is opposed by Republican Representative Rob Brooks, who has previously been endorsed by the most extreme anti-abortion organizations in Wisconsin. Jack Holzman is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Jack Holzman is a retired educator who taught in the Oak Creek-Franklin School District for over 3 decades. This experience has shown him how critical it is to invest in our public schools so that every child can get the high-equality education they deserve. Similarly, Holzman believes every Wisconsinite has the right to clean air to breathe and safe water to drink. He supports the right to choose an abortion and will fight for working families to get tax relief by forcing corporations to pay their fair share. Holzman is opposed by Republican Representative Rob Brooks, who has previously been endorsed by the most extreme anti-abortion organizations in Wisconsin. Jack Holzman is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 99
Unfortunately, there is no progressive choice in this race.
Unfortunately, there is no progressive choice in this race.