Madison, WI — With less than four weeks until the 2024 election, voters across Wisconsin are hearing from their own neighbors about Democratic candidates like Steve Doyle, Duane Shukoski, and Alison Page. Thanks to Wisconsin’s new, fair legislative maps, Wisconsin Democrats are supporting candidates in nearly every Assembly district as we work to flip the State Assembly.

Wisconsinites are learning how Democratic Assembly candidates will come together to restore reproductive freedoms, and provide access to clean drinking water and affordable health care in the Legislature. 

See what Wisconsinites are reading:

Suzanne Morgan, La Crosse: “Steve [Doyle] has consistently been ranked as the most bipartisan member of the state legislature, and his approach to governance and commitment to finding common-sense solutions are rarities in politics these days. Doyle has been pushing for the legislature to come together to fund PFAS clean up. He voted against the original funding bill because it made it so big companies who polluted our water couldn’t be sued. It left taxpayers holding the bag instead of the people who caused the problem. He knows that local farmers or end users of the products should be exempt but big companies that created and then knowingly spread the chemicals should be held accountable.”

State Rep. Melissa Ratcliff: “During her two terms on the Jefferson County Board, Joan [Fitzgerald] supported rural communities and farmers. She showed the ability to bring common sense to issues and she worked respectfully and effectively with Democrats and Republicans alike. She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood and will protect reproductive freedom as a State Representative. As a teacher in Jefferson Public Schools for 33 years, she knows how important public education is to Wisconsin’s future. Joan Fitzgerald will work hard for the communities she serves and focus on what matters to the people in her district.”

Leah Hibl, Sheboygan: “Joe [Sheehan] is an educator at heart. As SASD superintendent for almost two decades, Joe made sure students had the opportunity for a great public education in the City of Sheboygan. I have no doubt he’ll use his ability to teach when he educates fellow legislators about our community’s needs. Joe learns just as much as he educates. He’s learned from not only his greatest successes, but also from his greatest blunders. His curiosity, candor and willingness to find a lesson in every situation will serve him well in this seat.”

Mary Faherty, La Crosse: “For more than 30 years, Tara [Johnson] has fought for the people of western Wisconsin, and she has a history of problem-solving and bringing people together to focus on the important issues that affect all of us. Tara knows that Wisconsin citizens want the freedom to make their own health care choices without government interference, so she is determined to help restore a woman’s right to choose and protect our democracy. Tara will work to expand broadband access and invest in our infrastructure, and she will always support rural Wisconsinites. As a mother, Tara is acutely aware of the critical need for access to affordable child care, health care, and jobs that pay a living wage. Tara is from a proud union family. She recognizes the critical importance of unions to the middle class and that unions improve wages and benefits for all workers.” 

Corrine Hendrickson, New Glarus: “Parents of young children are frequently forced out of the workforce since they cannot find or afford child care that meets their needs. This, in turn, impacts the availability of health care, police, fire, roadwork, home construction, K-12 teachers, retail, restaurants and farms to ensure we live in strong communities. A recent study put out by the Institute on Research and Poverty about child care availability underscores the need for public investment to grow the workforce that cares for and educates our youngest and most vulnerable so that their parents can have access to high-quality, affordable care. [Jenna] Jacobson voted seven times to finally allocate state funding to do so. Unlike neighboring states, Wisconsin includes zero state dollars in the budget for childcare. Jacobson also voted against harmful bills as ‘solutions’ that included more children per teacher and that teachers could be as young as 16 without direct adult supervision.” 

Mark Ritzinger, River Falls: “Rather than list her many attributes I am going to describe what we will miss by not sending Alison [Page] to Madison. Service to people: Alison understands service and has spent a lifetime exemplifying this; whether for family, schools, city government, or conservation work. She has engaged in these activities on behalf of all of us, not for herself. […] Independence: Alison will I believe thoughtfully consider issues based on the above qualities and do what she believes is right for our district. That should be how Madison works but the current representatives are failing to do anything other than what the party is telling them to do. It has been 50 years since a Democrat has held the seat in this district. It is time for a change. I have seen enough. Let’s send Alison to Madison.”

Terry Dawson, Appleton: “Climate isn’t an abstract or distant problem: changing weather patterns affect Wisconsin’s economy, while threats to air and water quality affect the health of every resident. As individuals we can only do so much, but together we can elect state legislators that address essential issues, rather than dealing in half measures or denial while enabling polluters. Duane [Shukoski] has a great environmental track record: Kimberly-Clark’s Neenah plants were awarded Green Tier status under Duane’s leadership as Environmental Coordinator. He has a track record of working together with the DNR, and will make safe, healthy drinking water for all a priority.”