City of Brooklyn

Minocqua business leader Kirk Bangstad is running because he believes that strong values inform good policies and that those values are lacking in the state legislature. Bangstad believes in expanding Medicaid, creating a BadgerCare public option, and ultimately transitioning to BadgerCare for All. He believes that a living wage for all is achievable through a $15 minimum wage, a clean energy economy, and increasing broadband access. Bangstad also supports nonpartisan redistricting, ending mass incarceration, decriminalizing recreational marijuana, directing public funding exclusively to public education, and eventually making technical colleges and 4-year colleges tuition-free. Assemblyman Rob Swearingen is in favor of deregulation and has failed to listen to experts and scientists during the pandemic. He was among the legislators who forced Wisconsinites to choose between their vote and risking their health in the April election and is opposed to the mask mandate. Bangstad is the progressive choice.

Longtime educator Don Vruwink is running for re-election to his third term in the Assembly. 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. He is being challenged by Republican Beth Drew, whose principles include limited government and family. Drew has not released more specific policy positions. Vruwink is the more progressive choice in this race.

Assemblyman Mark Spreitzer has made nonpartisan redistricting one of his top issues as a Representative of the 45th District; it was the first bill he ever introduced. He has also advocated for updates to marriage and family laws to ensure that gay and lesbian couples have access to the same rights as straight couples. He supports expanding broadband access, disability rights, and a science-based response to the pandemic. Spreitzer was one of the authors of the Healthcare Heroes Act, which provides hazard pay, paid medical leave, and free COVID-19 testing and treatment for frontline healthcare workers. His opponent, Republican Tawny Gustina is opposed to common sense gun violence prevention laws. Spreitzer is the more progressive choice in this race.

Assemblywoman Sondy Pope has been serving in the legislature for 18 years and is up for re-election to her 10th term. As a legislator, Pope has contributed to legislation or advocated for directing more funding to public schools, creating a paid family leave program, expanding Medicaid, improving water quality, and strengthening our democracy through voting and gerrymandering reforms. Her opponent, Republican Chase Binnie, was endorsed by Wisconsin Right to Life, a radical organization that wants to ban abortion. Pope is the progressive choice in this race.