National Association of Social Workers Endorsements

Former social worker and native Milwaukeean Dora Drake has been a well-respected lawmaker in Madison since 2020. Her previous work assisting formerly incarcerated individuals reenter their communities has informed her legislative agenda, and criminal justice reform is one of her largest priorities. Now running for State Senate, Drake brings with her a host of accomplishments from the Assembly, including sitting as the ranking Democrat on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and working on bills related to healthcare access and small business support. She also authored or co-sponsored bills increasing consumer protection, reforming the criminal justice system, and protecting our democracy. Dora Drake is running unopposed in the 4th Senate District, and she is the progressive choice in this race.

LaTonya Johnson has been representing the northwest area of Milwaukee in the Wisconsin Legislature for over ten years. A former in-home child care provider and president of her local AFSCME 502, Johnson intimately understands the struggles of small business owners, knows the importance of affordable child care, and prioritizes the creation of well-paying, family-supporting jobs. In her time in the statehouse, she has also focused on protections for missing and endangered children, as well as African-American women and girls. Johnson 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.

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. Ratcliff is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.

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.

Navy veteran Alicia Saunders wants to serve in the Assembly to give power to the voice of people in her district, rather than corporations, lobbyists, and the wealthy. She was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and honorably discharged when she chose not to reenlist. Since her military service, Saunders has worked a variety of blue-collar jobs where she maintains a strong work ethic and a commitment to integrity. If elected, Saunders plans to fight for the rights of working people and veterans, support the right to choose an abortion, and empower farmers to use sustainable methods. Saunders is opposed by Republican Representative Shae Sortwell, who was endorsed in 2020 by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Alicia Saunders is the clear progressive choice in this race.

As the daughter of a union household, Karen Kirsch recognizes the necessity of strong labor unions in the workplace; workers’ rights are one of her top legislative priorities. Kirsch is also passionate about fighting for quality public schools and improving our healthcare system for better access and better outcomes. Kirsch strongly supports the right to choose an abortion, and believes that qualified DACA recipients should be allowed to receive professional licenses from the state. Kirsch is facing Republican Lee Whiting. Karen Kirsch is the progressive choice in this race.

Milwaukee County Supervisor of the 5th District Sequanna Taylor is running unopposed for Assembly District 11. Taylor is an experienced consultant, speaker, and trainer focused on uplifting her community and creating opportunities for Wisconsinites in every zip code. Her legislative priorities include fighting for affordable childcare, expanding Medicaid, and protecting victims of domestic violence. Sequanna Taylor is unopposed and is the progressive choice in this race.

Pastor and former Milwaukee County supervisor Russell Goodwin, Sr. has long known the importance of being a positive force for change in his community. One of Goodwin’s top legislative priorities is combating reckless driving, for which he has created a six-point plan to stop the problem and keep Milwaukee residents safer. Goodwin is also keenly aware of the struggles Wisconsinites are having with the cost of living, and plans to introduce measures to increase access to affordable housing and keep property taxes fair and reasonable. He is running against conservative independent candidate Deanna Alexander, who has previously been endorsed by an extreme organization seeking to ban abortion. Russell Goodwin, Sr. is the more progressive choice in this race.

Robyn Vining is running for her fourth 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 healthcare issues throughout Wisconsin and meeting the needs of small businesses in our state. Her opponent is Republican Representative Tom Michalski, who has consistently voted against the right to choose an abortion. Robyn Vining is the progressive choice in this race.

West Allis native Angelito Tenorio is the son of unionized postal workers who immigrated to Wisconsin for a better life. Tenorio calls combating climate change his number one priority, which goes hand in hand with preserving clean drinking water and creating more sustainable infrastructure. He is dedicated to keeping our state a great place to live by supporting investments in public education, increasing the minimum wage, and protecting the right to choose an abortion. As a child, he saw how his parents belonging to a union significantly benefited their family, and that has instilled in him a deep appreciation and respect for workers’ rights. Also running in Assembly District 14 is Republican candidate Jim Engstrand. Angelito Tenorio 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. 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 newly redrawn 15th District by fighting to fund public education, supporting the middle class, bringing fairness and opportunity to workers, and restoring reproductive freedom in Wisconsin. Sarah Harrison is the progressive choice in this race.

At 25, Kalan Haywood II is among the youngest legislators in the country and is the youngest African American ever elected to state office in Wisconsin. Recently elected as Assistant Democratic Leader in the state Assembly, Haywood lists key issues like education, economic development, and public safety as some of his top priorities. Kalan Haywood is running unopposed and is the progressive choice.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde is running for re-election in the 17th Assembly District. Prior to joining the Assembly, Moore-Omokunde served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Now seeking his third term in the legislature, Moore Omokunde's top priorities are criminal justice reform, decriminalizing marijuana, ending reckless driving, expanding healthcare access, ensuring affordable housing, and promoting economic development. Supreme Moore Omokunde is running unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.

Wauwatosa’s first Black alderwoman, Margaret Arney, has worked in different roles in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years. She is passionate about the role of unions in Wisconsin, and plans to promote and protect them if elected. The right to choose an abortion is also a cornerstone of her campaign, as well as investment in senior care and excellent public schools. Arney is opposed by Republican candidate Kevin Anderson. Margaret Arney is the progressive choice in this race.

Educator, legislator, small business owner, and longtime Milwaukee-area activist Ryan Clancy is running for reelection in the 19th Assembly District. His time as a teacher made Clancy a strong supporter of public education and he promises to fight for fairer funding for every school district. He knows every single student is important, and supports efforts to make our schools and communities safe and welcoming for LGBTQ+ folks. Clancy has been a leader on fighting crime in the legislature by authoring several proposals to keep Wisconsinites safer from gun violence. He believes in the right to choose an abortion and in the necessity of transparency in government. Ryan Clancy is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.

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, and raising the minimum wage, and has been a legislative leader on fighting for policies that support working people. She has been named Conservation Champion by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters eight times. Also running in the 20th Assembly District is Republican Mike Moeller. Chris Sinicki is the progressive choice in this race.

David Marstellar is a floricultural industry professional and heart transplant survivor. He believes in the value of listening to others before speaking, a skill sorely needed in the Legislature, and will fight for every Wisconsinite to be able to receive the life-saving healthcare that he did. Marstellar knows how critical unions are to a strong middle class, and how important the right to choose an abortion is to people who can become pregnant. Marstellar’s opponent is Republican Representative Jessie Rodriguez, who has consistently cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes. David Marstellar is the clear progressive choice in this race.

One of only two Wisconsin candidates to flip a Republican-held seat in 2020, Deb Andraca is running for her third Assembly term to continue fighting for action on climate change, BadgerCare expansion, and adequate funding for Wisconsin public schools. A teacher and community volunteer, Andraca has been vocal in calling for legislation to end gun violence in Wisconsin and was the lead author of a bill to enact nonpartisan redistricting in Wisconsin. Her opponent is Republican candidate Laurie Wolf. Deb Andraca is the progressive choice in this race.

Former Sheboygan Area School District Superintendent Joe Sheehan is running to represent the 26th Assembly District because he believes elected leaders should be responsive to their constituents. Sheehan knows from experience that our public schools are underfunded, and he will fight for increased state funding to ensure Wisconsin kids get the best education possible. Sheehan strongly supports the right to choose an abortion and will work toward providing relief for families burdened by rising costs. Sheehan is opposed by Republican Representative Amy Binsfield, who was named a “School Choice Champion” by a pro-voucher schools organization. Joe Sheehan is the progressive choice in this race.

Alison Page is a lifelong resident of River Falls, former school board member, and former foster parent who served as CEO of Western Wisconsin Health for thirteen years before retiring recently. Now running for the 30th Assembly District, Page's top three priorities are attracting and retaining good businesses that provide career opportunities, ensuring every child reaches adulthood with the knowledge and skills to contribute to society, and respecting Wisconsin's water, air, and soil for the benefit of future generations. Page believes state government has an important, positive role to play in supporting economic growth by strengthening infrastructure, expanding broadband, and ensuring our public education system has the funding it needs. At the same time, she strongly respects a pregnant person’s right to choose an abortion without government interference. She faces Republican Representative Shannon Zimmerman, who has previously been endorsed by an extremist group that wants to ban abortion, even in cases when the pregnant person's health is at risk. Alison Page is the progressive choice in this race.

Navy veteran Ben Murray is running for State Assembly to help end the tiresome gridlock and partisan bickering that has become so common in the Legislature. He is a strong believer in environmental protection, including access to clean water and investing in clean energy. He knows that housing costs have risen beyond the means of too many Wisconsinites. Murray also believes in increasing shared revenue so that rural areas have the resources they need to provide basic services to their residents. Murray is opposed by Republican Representative Jeffrey Mursau, who has a long record of embracing anti-abortion and anti-democracy positions. Ben Murray 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.

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.

Brienne Brown is a well-respected leader in her community, having been elected to three terms on the Whitewater City Council. Brown is an educator, hunter, and small business owner who understands the challenges faced by many different groups of people in our state. She believes in the right to choose an abortion, in the necessity of investing in local public safety, and common sense gun laws. Brown also wants to fight for better infrastructure and internet access for the 43rd Assembly District. She is running against Republican Representative Scott Johnson, who has previously been endorsed by radical anti-abortion groups seeking to outlaw the procedure in Wisconsin. Brienne Brown is the clear progressive choice in this race.

Small business owner, former educator, and active community leader Anne Roe is running to represent the 44th Assembly District. Roe has been heavily involved in efforts to revitalize downtown Janesville, and as a 30-year resident of the city, she is in tune with local issues. She is interested in tackling Wisconsin’s affordable housing crisis, fighting for the right to choose an abortion, and raising the minimum wage. As a mother, Roe also knows that out-of-control healthcare and childcare costs are causing many families to struggle. She is running against Republican candidate Bruce Danielson, who supported the August referendums seeking to hamper state responses to emergency situations. Ann Roe is the progressive choice in this race.

Former Beloit city council president Clinton Anderson is running for reelection in 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. His priorities include 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. Prior to his election to the Legislature, Anderson worked closely with YWCA Rock County and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. Clinton Anderson is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.

Joan is a former Jefferson County Board supervisor, a Wisconsin native who has taught high school math for 33 years, and a mom of two. While teaching, Fitzgerald was an active member of the Jefferson Education Association and served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer, as well as sitting on the Negotiations Team. As part of the County Board, Fitzgerald was chair of the Broadband work group and developed partnerships with businesses to bring in $5 million of grant money for Jefferson County. She is passionate about making sure Wisconsinites can access affordable childcare, can send their children to strong public schools, and can live in safe neighborhoods free from gun violence. Opposing Fitzgerald is Republican candidate Jenifer Quimby. Joan Fitzgerald is the progressive choice in this race.

Fifth-generation Wisconsinite, former Fitchburg City Council member, and current Dane County Board supervisor Randy Udell knows the 47th Assembly District well. Recently retired from a long career in finance and telecommunications engineering, Udell wants to bring constituents from villages, small towns, and cities together to create positive solutions for Wisconsin. Udell will fight for expanding Medicaid, protecting the right to choose an abortion, and addressing climate change challenges. As the first publicly out LGBTQ+ person to serve as a local elected official in Fitchburg, Udell is also committed to codifying the freedom to marry who we love into state statutes. Randy Udell is unopposed in this race, and he is the progressive choice.

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.

Jenna Jacobson was elected to the Assembly in 2022 and previously served as Village of Oregon Trustee. Prior to her time in the Legislature, Jacobson worked as a Housing Program Specialist to help people get and stay in affordable, quality housing in Dane County. Jacobson promises to continue fighting 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 and reproductive freedom. Her opponent is Republican candidate Richard Johnson. Jenna Jacobson is the progressive candidate in this race.

Elizabeth Grabe is a conservationist and active member of the Mount Horeb community. She is deeply passionate about Wisconsin’s precious natural resources and will fight to protect them from corporate greed. Grabe also believes in the power of public schools and the necessity of improved infrastructure, including reliable high-speed internet, in the 51st Assembly District. Grabe is running against Republican Representative Todd Novak, who has twice been endorsed by one of Wisconsin’s most extreme anti-abortion organizations. Elizabeth Grabe is the progressive candidate in this race.

Longtime Appleton resident and State Representative Lee Snodgrass believes that every Wisconsinite should have access to affordable healthcare, a well-paying job, and a clean environment. She is passionate about education, including 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 for firearm purchases, and a woman's right to choose an abortion. She also favors supporting working families through paid family leave and minimum wage standards. Her opponent is Republican candidate Chad Cooke. Lee Snodgrass 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.

Lori Palmeri is running for her second term 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 as mayor and deputy mayor, her membership on various boards and commissions in the community, and her leadership role in creating the Middle Village Neighborhood Association. 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 Tim Paterson. Lori Palmeri is the progressive choice in this race.

Retired educator Ruth Caves knows from her decades of teaching experience that Wisconsin’s public schools need more support. Caves will fight for the right to choose an abortion, for a healthy environment, and for our democracy against MAGA Republicans. She supports labor unions and workers’ rights, as well as finding ways to make healthcare both more accessible and affordable to all Wisconsinites. She is running against Republican Representative Kevin Peterson, who has repeatedly cast anti-choice, anti-public education, anti-environment, and anti-democracy votes during his time in the Assembly. Ruth Caves is the progressive choice in this race.

Deb Anderson is a former West Bend alderwoman and retired nonprofit director who has been serving the people of the 58th Assembly District for decades. She believes Wisconsin needs to move past partisan bickering and return to its values of inclusivity and unity. Anderson supports the right to choose an abortion, fully funded public schools, and increased access to healthcare, including mental healthcare. Anderson is opposed by Republican Representative Rick Gundrum, who has been endorsed by radical anti-abortion organizations aiming to outlaw the procedure, even when the pregnant person’s life is in danger. Deb Anderson is the clear 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. A 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. LuAnn Bird is the progressive choice in this race.

Veteran public school teacher, granddaughter of migrant workers, and Racine-area native Angelina Cruz understands the struggles of working families today. She knows from her experience in the classroom that Wisconsin’s public schools cannot continue to be underfunded. Currently serving as president of Racine Educators United, Cruz is also a passionate advocate for workers’ rights and LGBTQ+ freedom. Angelina Cruz is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.

State Representative Tip McGuire is running for re-election to represent the 64th Assembly District. In his first two terms, McGuire 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 supports reproductive rights and promises to continue prioritizing support for 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.

Kenosha small business owner and former educator Ben DeSmidt wants to see Wisconsin become the home of progressive policies once again. He wants to work toward creating more affordable housing, legalizing medical marijuana, and protecting the right to choose an abortion. DeSmidt is also passionate about green energy and safeguarding Wisconsin’s natural resources. Opposing DeSmidt is Republican candidate Brian Gonzales, who has appeared at events for Donald Trump and JD Vance. Ben DeSmidt is the clear progressive choice in this race.

Greta Neubauer has been working in progressive politics for over a decade and has served as the Assembly Democratic Leader for the last two legislative sessions. 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. Additionally, in 2019 Neubauer was recognized for her work to protect and enhance labor unions by being named Labor “Person of the Year” by the Racine Labor Council. Neubauer cares deeply about addressing climate change, including leading the introduction of the Forward On Climate legislative package in 2023. She is opposed by Republican candidate David DeGroot. Greta Neubauer is the progressive choice in this race.

Longtime Portage County Board member Vinnie Miresse understands the “purple” history of both the 71st Assembly District and Wisconsin as a whole. He believes in bipartisanship and putting an end to the political bickering in Madison. As a legislator, Miresse plans to prioritize our state’s proud ecological heritage, support working families by fighting for higher wages and a repeal of Act 10, and invest in health care access for all. He also believes in the right to choose an abortion and will work to ensure reproductive rights are protected. Also running is Republican candidate Robert Pahmeier. Vinnie Miresse is the clear progressive choice in this race.

Angela Stroud is a longtime educator who is running for the 73rd Assembly District to support the regular people of the northwoods communities in Madison. Stroud believes in fighting for affordable housing, ensuring the right to choose an abortion remains possible, and protecting all of our natural resources, in particular the Lake Superior Watershed. She is passionate about the responsibility of being a good steward of Lake Superior and opposes the potential pipeline currently being discussed. As an educator married to another educator, Stroud knows the importance of quality public schools; she plans on fighting to update Wisconsin’s flawed funding formula and to restore collective bargaining rights. She is running against Republican candidate Frank Kostka. Angela Stroud is the clear 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 former 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.

A maternal health professional and board member of Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, Renuka Mayadev is knowledgeable about the issues facing Wisconsin families and ready to fight for them. Mayadev believes in improving access to the full spectrum of reproductive care, in pushing for policies to counteract climate change, and in fighting for pro-democracy measures like ballot drop boxes and nonpartisan redistricting. She also has experience fighting for public schools while an executive at United Way Central Ohio. Renuka Mayadev is running unopposed in the 77th Assembly District and is the progressive choice.

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 conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. She is unopposed in this election, and is the progressive choice.

Small business owner and former Dane County supervisor Mike Bare is running for his second term representing the 80th Assembly District. In his first Assembly term, Bare championed common sense causes like affordable healthcare, fully funded public education, and natural resource protection. He also fought for our democracy by authoring a bill that would have automatically registered all Wisconsinites to vote. For his second term, Bare’s top three priorities are defending our democracy, protecting our rights including the right to a safe and legal abortion, and investing in communities. 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 Robert Relph. Mike Bare is the progressive choice in this race.

Yee Leng Xiong is a native of Marathon County and has been active at multiple levels of local government. He currently serves as vice president on the DC Everest School Board, and has held positions on the Marathon County Board of Supervisors and the Village of Weston Board of Trustees. Xiong is committed to growing the economy in the 85th Assembly District to make it a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family. He also supports fully funding victim support organizations, investing in quality public schools, and ensuring public safety departments have the resources they need to serve their communities. Xiong is running against Republican Representative Patrick Snyder, who has been endorsed by an extreme anti-abortion group aiming to ban all legal abortion in Wisconsin. Xiong is the progressive choice in this race.

Manufacturing and business manager Christy Welch is running for the 88th Assembly District to fight for investing in public education, expanding Medicaid to offer medical care to all Wisconsinites, and protecting the right to choose an abortion. Welch recognizes that affordable and accessible childcare is a huge part of ensuring full participation in the workforce, because parents cannot work if their children don’t have care. As a longtime resident of Green Bay, she knows that our natural resources are precious and worth protecting for future generations. Welch is running against Republican candidate Ben Franklin, who has been awarded an A rating by the National Rifle Association. Christy Welch is the progressive choice in this race.

Ryan Spaude is a fifth-generation resident of northeastern Wisconsin who currently works in the Brown County District Attorney’s office. He believes Wisconsin’s current historic budget surplus should mean no tax hikes for the hard-working middle class, and that the minimum wage needs to be increased. Spaude also supports expanding Medicaid in Wisconsin and fully funding the Child Care Counts program so that every family has access to the health- and child-care that they need. Spaude is opposed by Republican candidate Patrick Buckley. Spaude is the progressive choice in this race.

Helping his mother establish a union in her workplace was Amaad Rivera-Wagner’s first taste of fighting for fairness. Now, as chief of staff to the mayor of Green Bay, Rivera-Wagner wants to uplift all communities in the 90th Assembly District by encouraging economic growth, fully funding public schools, and expanding Medicaid. He is also passionate about ensuring access to mental health services and prioritizing safe neighborhoods. As a local public servant, Rivera-Wagner knows the importance of a robust democracy and protecting the right to vote. Also running for this seat is Republican candidate Jessica Henderson. Amaad Rivera-Wagner is the progressive choice in this race.

An Eau Claire native, Representative Jodi Emerson feels compelled to run for reelection to the Assembly by challenges in education, healthcare, and a lack of well-paid jobs. After being diagnosed with a chronic health condition, Emerson saw firsthand the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare for all - a value that has become more relevant than ever in light of the devastating hospital and clinic closures in the Chippewa Valley area recently. She is also an advocate for social justice, more education funding, and protecting natural resources. She authored a bill to phase out Wisconsin's private school voucher program and has been a strong defender of Wisconsin's democracy as a member of the Assembly Campaigns & Elections Committee. Emerson also sits on the Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Consortium. Her opponent is Republican candidate Michele Skinner. Emerson is the progressive choice in this race.

Nonprofit professional and community organizer Christian Phelps believes the Assembly must return to prioritizing public wellbeing by investing in public schools and public health. He also wants to protect our natural resources by investing in renewable energy and ensure that pregnant people have the right to choose an abortion. Phelps recognizes the critical importance of renewing Wisconsin’s commitment to workers’ rights, as well as the benefits of legalizing, taxing, and regulating cannabis. Also running for the 93rd Assembly seat is Republican candidate James Rolbiecki. Christian Phelps is the progressive choice in this race.

Steve Doyle is a moderate Democrat running for re-election to his seventh term as an Assembly member from the 94th District. When it comes to environmental issues, labor, and welfare, Doyle is relatively progressive. He was a leader in the fight against Act 10 and has a strong record on LGBTQ+ equality. While he is personally anti-choice, he has voted pro-choice as a legislator. He is a supporter of gun rights and has received an endorsement from the NRA in the past. However, he did co-sponsor a universal background check bill. Doyle is known for his bipartisanship. His challenger, Republican candidate Ryan Huebsch, has worked for multiple Republican legislators and 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. Although Doyle is not as progressive as some other legislators, he has always stood up for progressive issues like labor rights, public schools, and the environment when it counts. Doyle is the progressive choice in this race.

Representative Jill Billings has been a progressive champion with an effective, consensus-based approach since getting elected to the Assembly in 2011. Known for her passionate advocacy on children's issues, Billings currently serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Legislative Children's Caucus where she helps bring policymakers together to develop and pass bills that address the needs of kids throughout Wisconsin. Additional priorities for Billings include supporting economic development at the local level, advocating for healthcare access and funding, including expanding BadgerCare and bringing federal healthcare dollars into Wisconsin, protecting reproductive freedom, and fighting for nonpartisan redistricting. Billings is also a vocal advocate for protecting Wisconsin's natural environment, supporting clean water policies, and fighting to address PFAS contamination. Her opponent is Republican candidate Cedric Schnitzler. Billings is the progressive choice in this race.

Former La Crosse County Board member and United Way executive director Tara Johnson has spent much of her career working to represent communities in western Wisconsin that are sometimes overlooked. Among her legislative priorities are protecting the right to choose an abortion, creating well-paying jobs, increasing access to affordable childcare and healthcare, and safeguarding our democracy. Johnson is running against Republican Representative Loren Oldenburg, who has twice been endorsed by a radical anti-abortion group seeking to outlaw the procedure in Wisconsin. Tara Johnson is the clear progressive choice in this race.