State executive branch races include governor, other posts

Info compiled by Joseph Back

Coming to the Stanley-Boyd area November 8, several state and national races are in view, as follows: U.S. House District 7

Starting off the state and national review with a recap of U.S. House District 7, the ballot choices on November 8 will be split between Richard Ausman (Democrat) and Tom Tiffany (Republican) Taking over from Sean Duffy in a special election after the latter resigned to spend time with family, Tiffany is a former state lawmaker and the current incumbent, defeating David W. Kunelius for the party nomination in August. Among key votes, Tiffany voted ‘nay’ on the Respect for Marriage Act earlier this year, which would have overturned the Defense of Marriage Act from 1996 under former President Bill Clinton. Tiffany also voted ‘no’ on H.R. 1808, a bill seeking to ban what it deemed assault weapons.

Challenging Tiffany for House District 7 its Richard Ausman, a 61-year-old publisher and gun owner with a bachelors of business administration from UW-Madi- son. Married for 34 years with five years of dating before this, Ausman cites healthcare as the most important issue for his constituents, expressing support for a Medicare single payer health care system.

U. S. House District 3

Following U.S. District 7 is U.S. District 3, in which Brad Pfaff (Democrat) is facing Derrick Van Orden (Republican) for the open seat. Current incumbent Ron Kind is not seeking reelection. Pfaff is a 54-yearold state senator with a Master’s in Public Education from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay.

Contending with Pfaff for U.S. House District 3 is Derrick Van Orden, a married for 27 years to wife Sara Jane and a retired Navy SEAL. Van Orden served 26 years in the SEAL, but has seen criticism for being in Washington on January 6, 2021 at the ‘Stop the Steal’ Rally in the morning. He currently resides in Prairie du Chien.

U.S. Senate

Facing each other for the U.S. Senate are

Ron Johnson (Republican) and Mandela Barnes (Democrat). Johnson, the incum- bent, was first elected in 2010 and is seek – ing a third term in office. Growing up on a farm, Johnson professes to be “100 percent committed to fighting for conservative val ues,” while facing criticism for statements in relation to January 6, 2021.

Challenging Johnson for the U.S. Senate is current Wisconsin lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes. Clinching the nomination in August from a field of eight candidates, Barnes lists among priorities that of tack- ling inflation and lowering taxes, and would also seek to codify Roe v. Wade at the federal level if elected.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

On the ballot this November 8 for Governor and lieutenant governor are Tony Evers and Sara Rodriguez (Democratic) versus Tim Michels and Roger Roth (Republican). Also on the ballot but withdrawing in September to endorse Michels is Joan Ellis Beglinger, who had been running as an independent. Evers is the current incumbent governor, while Sara Rodriguez is a registered nurse and political outsider, per saraforwi.com.

Contending with Evers for the governor’s seat, Michels is the owner of a construction business who touts his outsider credentials and was endorsed earlier this year by former president Donald Trump. Roth is a state senator for District 19 in Appleton, Neenah, and Menasha, winning out over seven rivals this August to join Michels on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Secretary of State

Contesting the post of Secretary of State this Nov. 8 are four candidates: Neil Harmon (Libertarian), Amy Loudenbeck (Republican), Doug LaFollette (Democratic), and Sheryl McFarland (Green Party).

As to the first candidate, Harmon is a native of southeast Wisconsin who thinks the Libertarian party is misunderstood by many, contending that “We’re about liberty. That’s the most important thing” in a You-Tube video earlier this year.

As to Loudenbeck, the 53-year-old candidate has a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin Madison in International Relations as well as a B. A. from the same university in Political Science. Loudenbeck says that local districts are claiming to face a “financial cliff” due to a need to use ES SER Funds for operational costs. While the Secretary of State has no authority to address public education funding, Loudenbeck would work to protect and maximize the assets of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands as the agency which oversees $14 million in assets to help fund public school libraries.

Contending with Loudenbeck and Harmon for the Secretary of State post is Doug LaFollette, an 82-year-old with a bachelors and masters from Stanford University along with a P.h.D from Columbia. The current office holder for Secretary of State, La Follette lists work on environmental issues as among community service bona fides, being the founder and former director of Clean Wisconsin. Never married, LaFollette states his reason for running as a desire to protect the office “from potential political interference,” thereby seeking to continue Wisconsin’s strong tradition of non-partisan elections.

Running as a member of the Green Party, Sheryl McFarland is a Milwaukee organizer and has spent “decades working for social justice and human rights.” McFarland’s advocacy work includes that related to “racial inequalities, mass incarceration, homelessness, rights for immigrants, poverty, the lack of adequate transportation, and more” per the Green Party website at ww.gp.org.

“Those closest to the problems are closest to the solutions but have the least amount of resources” she says.

State Treasurer

On the ballot for state treasurer this election cycle, voters have three names to choose from for State Treasurer: Andrew Zuelke (Constitution), Aaron Richardson

(Democratic), and Jonathan Leiber (Republican).

As to Zuelke, the 53-year-old fork- lift driver and graduate of Westfield High School is also the State Chairman of his party, having been elected to the post in 2015. Serving on public relations and other committees, Zuelke was an “independent correspondent for the Fond du Lac Reporter from 1998 to 2002, also having worked on assembly lines, performed monthly inven- tories, and serving as one company’s first quality control technician. Zuelke says in addition that he is the only candidate among those currently running who has sought the treasurer’s office before, and is running to ensure the office isn’t eliminated, Zuelke also has a pledge. “If elected, I will serve one term,” he says. “We Constitutionalists are against careers in politics.”

Also contending for the state treasurer’s post is Aaron Richardson, a 46-year-old who coaches youth basketball and lists the Fitchburg Lions Club among community service bona fides, as well as previous work with the Boys & Girls Club. Regarding schools and the claim to be on a financial cliff over ESSER Funds, Richardson states that, “this is accurate,” and that some of the $5 billion surplus should be given to schools.

Contending with both Zuelke and Richardson is Jonathan Leiber, a 45-year-old with a B.A. in History from UW Parkside and a JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School. President of the Caledonia Parks and Recreation Commission, Leiber grew up in Caledonia, just outside Racine. He lives with his wife in Cottage Grove Wisconsin and has three adult children. “I’m running because we need a true financial conservative as Treasurer,” he says. “I don’t like spending money, and as a taxpayer myself I’ll protect our investment.

Attorney General

Contesting the office of Attorney General this election cycle are Eric Toney (Republican) and Josh Kaul (Democratic).

Currently the incumbent, Kaul grew up in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac, being elected to the attorney general’s post in 2019. He lists fighting crime, protecting the state’s natural resources and defending rights as among his accomplishments, with public safety listed as number one priority.

Contending with Kaul for the state attor- ney general’s position is Toney, first elected as Fond du Lac district attorney in 2012 after a contested primary. Now in the tenth year of service as Fond du Lac DA, Toney points to successful prosecution of crimes including homicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, drug trafficking, financial crimes, and racke teering among courtroom accomplishments, being dedicated to the safety and security of Wisconsin families.