Outagamie County

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.

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.

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.

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.

As a Baraboo resident of 30 years and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin for the last 12 years, Karen DeSanto is a trusted community leader who knows the needs of her district well. DeSanto is committed to moving Wisconsin forward by increasing access to mental healthcare, protecting and preserving our natural resources, and supporting small businesses. She is a strong supporter of the right to choose an abortion and fully investing in our public schools. DeSanto is opposed by Republican candidate Gerald Helmer, a local conservative activist with a record of embracing extremist positions like banning abortion. Karen DeSanto is the clear progressive choice 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.

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.