City of Green Bay

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.

Jamie Wall is a Brown County native who has worked in economic development for much of his career. He also holds a great deal of experience in consulting with local and national businesses to find solutions to challenging problems. This led Wall to establish New North, an organization that promotes local jobs and business development in Green Bay, Brown County, and northeastern Wisconsin as a whole. Wall’s legislative priorities are addressing rising housing and healthcare costs, protecting the right to choose an abortion, and ensuring clean water access to all in Wisconsin. Wall is running against Republican Jim Rafter. Wall is the progressive choice in this race.

Kewaunee local Renee Paplham was galvanized to run for office after the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022. She is passionate about restoring and maintaining the right to choose an abortion, and wants to put an end to the bitter partisan politics in the Assembly chambers. Paplham is also concerned about the burdens on working families; she supports raising the minimum wage, increasing access to affordable housing, and expanding Medicaid to all Wisconsinites. As a substitute teacher, she is well-versed in the needs of our public schools, particularly the necessity for more investment in rural districts and in special needs students. Paplham’s opponent is Republican Representative Joel Kitchens, who has been endorsed by a radical right-wing group seeking to abolish abortions, as well as by the NRA. Renee Paplham is the clear 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.

Jane Benson is running to be a fair and honest voice for everyone in the 4th Assembly District, not just the few. A former entrepreneur, small business owner, and longtime Election Day poll worker, Benson has been particularly active in fighting for fair maps in Wisconsin. As a candidate, Benson's top four priorities are the tackling the issues she hears about most on the campaign trail: fighting for clean water, including addressing PFAS contamination; pushing for adequate public school funding; ensuring all Wisconsinites have full reproductive rights and the ability to choose whether and when to have a family; and expanding access to high-speed internet. Benson is opposed by Republican Representative Dave Steffen, who has been endorsed by extreme anti-abortion groups seeking to outlaw the procedure even in cases of rape or incest. Jane Benson is the 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.

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.