Ciudad de Appleton

Green Bay-area voters may recognize her face from years as a journalist on the local news, but the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 galvanized Kelly Peterson into becoming active in progressive politics. While in journalism, she produced segments on many important local issues like agriculture, education, and human trafficking. Her legislative priorities are protecting the right to choose an abortion, supporting family farms, and listening closely to her constituents’ concerns. Peterson faces Republican Senator Eric Wimberger, who has previously been endorsed by a radical anti-abortion organization seeking to outlaw the procedure in Wisconsin. Kelly Peterson is the progressive choice in this race.

Industrial electrician Jason Schmitz is running to represent the 3rd Assembly District. He is strongly pro-union, having served on the Executive Board for the United Steelworkers Local at Neenah Foundry, and is part of the Executive Board for the Area Labor Council. Schmitz believes in increasing the state minimum wage and prioritizing initiatives to Buy American. He also volunteers for the Outagamie County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). Schmitz is opposed by Republican Representative Ron Tusler, who has been endorsed by extreme anti-abortion groups seeking to outlaw the procedure even in cases of rape or incest. Schmitz is the more progressive choice in this race.

Former pastor Greg Sampson is troubled by the deep divisions sown by extreme politics in recent years. He believes that we can work together as neighbors to embody our state motto of “Forward”. Sampson is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and takes time to combat dis- and mis-information being spread by bad actors. As a former clergyman, he is committed to building bridges between people of all faiths and representing them equally in Madison. Sampson is running against Republican Representative Joy Goeben, who has been previously endorsed by two of the most radical anti-abortion organizations in the state. Greg Sampson is the more progressive choice in this race.

Former American Legion secretary, Boy Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, and stay-at-home mom Shirley Hinze is running for the 6th Assembly District because she believes her community deserves more from the Legislature. She knows that family farmers in Wisconsin are struggling and need help to compete with large mega-farms. As a longtime resident of Shawano, Hinze is aware that the rural parts of her district are missing convenient and high-quality medical care, and housing is becoming more and more unaffordable. She is also passionate about protecting our natural environment, and vows to listen to all constituents, regardless of party affiliation. Opposing Hinze is Republican Representative Elijah Behnke, who has previously been endorsed by three radical anti-abortion organizations. Shirley Hinze is the progressive choice in this race.

Winneconne-born Kyle Kehoe is a real estate professional and former police officer running to serve the residents of the 55th Assembly District. With housing costs skyrocketing across the state, Kehoe’s career in real estate makes him uniquely suited to work toward increasing access to affordable housing and fixing laws that unfairly favor landlords. He also believes strongly in increasing education funding so that local school districts will not have to call for referendums as frequently. He plans to fight for workers’ rights and the return of collective bargaining if elected to the Legislature. Kehoe supports the right to choose an abortion and will work to lower healthcare costs. Kehoe is running against Republican Representative Nate Gustafson, who has cast many anti-worker, anti-choice, and anti-environment votes in the Assembly. Kyle Kehoe is the progressive choice in this race.

Emily Tseffos is a Wisconsin native who has worked as a language arts and literature teacher, as well as an English as a Second Language instructor. She has been involved in politics since 2016 and chose to run for office now because she envisions a safer, healthier, and freer Wisconsin for her three children. Tseffos cares deeply about protecting reproductive freedom, keeping our schools and communities safe from gun violence, and preserving our beautiful natural environment. Tseffos is running against Republican Representative Dave Murphy, who has been repeatedly endorsed by the most extreme anti-abortion organizations in the state. Emily Tseffos is the clear 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.