69TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

By Valorie Brecht

Three candidates are competing to represent Wisconsin’s 69th Assembly District, which includes all of Clark County as well as Stanley, Medford, Abbotsford, Colby and Athens.

The Tribune Record Gleaner interviewed candidates Roger Halls (D-Stanley), Karen Hurd (R-town of Withee) and Joshua Kelley (IGreenwood) to get their views on the issues ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. The following are their responses.

Why are you running for public office?

Halls: As a father of three girls and with family in the LGBTQ+ community, I believe their rights are being stripped away. With the Dobbs decision (overturning Roe vrs Wade) and 24 anti-LGBTQ bills brought up, I want those communities and my family to know they have people fighting for them. I would also like to see our communities flourish and our small businesses succeed. To do that, we need to expand childcare, fully fund our schools, expand education, expand on rural broadband and keep healthcare in our rural communities. These areas are either under attack, not appropriately funded, or just ignored.

Hurd: I want to serve the people of Wisconsin. I care about people, and I think that being an elected official is one of the best ways that I can help them. There are many helping professions; this is one of them, and I feel that I am uniquely qualified to do so, so I need to step up and do that.

Kelley: I come from a very political family. I’ve always taken an interest in politics… I was going to run regardless of whether I ended up in the 68th or the 69th after redistricting. I’m running as an independent because I feel both sides are stuck in the mud and there needs to be somebody in the middle that can reach across party lines and bring everybody together. When it comes to our State Assembly, I see both parties just kowtowing to party lines and not getting anything done. I don’t see people reaching across the aisle to solve real problems. I see gaveling in and out and just doing whatever they can to make sure the other side looks bad for perceived political gain. I would like to unite the parties so we can actually get something done, and if no else will, I’ll just have to run myself.

What knowledge and/or experience do you bring to this position?

Halls: Besides sitting on the city council for five-plus years, I bring a potent combination of a background in public service, experience as a veteran, and a commitment to community-driven solutions. My time in the military taught me discipline, leadership and the importance of teamwork— skills that I will use to unite people and tackle tough issues. My background in working with diverse communities has given me a clear understanding of the challenges many Wisconsinites face, from economic hardship to healthcare access and educational inequality.

Hurd: I served as a local elected official. I was a Village of Fall Creek trustee as well as a library trustee. I have been serving as a state representative for the past two years, which has been immensely helpful because when you walk in, you come with what you come with, but there is so much to learn. When you start, you don’t know, for example, that ‘this needs to go to the LRB (Legislative Reference Bureau)’ or ‘that needs to go to the Joint Finance Committee.’ So I had to learn all those things… I feel even more equipped going into this next session because now I understand how it all works together. I’m full of energy and drive, and I’m out for what’s very best for the people of Wisconsin. I don’t care which lobbyist or which legislator stands in the way.

Kelley: I grew up on a dairy farm in Greenwood, where I learned a strong work ethic. I’ve been a stainless steel pipe fitter for the last 17 years, where I’ve overcome some of the most complex problems. I’ve had my industrial hemp license for the last six years, where I’ve worked with the FSA, USDA and the DA, not to mention all the other government agencies I already work hand-in-hand with. And what I can tell you about all our government agencies is, one hand doesn’t know what the other is doing… Just the way information travels through the system itself needs an update. I did go to school for computer information systems, so I think I’d be uniquely qualified to help in that area.

What are the main factors that differentiate you from your opponents in this race? In other words, why are you the better choice of candidate?

Halls: I moved to Stanley after leaving the Army as a decorated two-tour Afghanistan/Iraq veteran with a Bronze Star. I've seen many places, but Wisconsin has always been my favorite. I want my home to thrive and succeed. I realize not everyone has the same story, life experiences and beliefs, but that is what makes us special. All I want is for people to have a happy, fulfilling life and even if that is currently out of reach for many Wisconsinites, I hope to change that. I will bring my open mind, empathy, compassion and humanity to the Wisconsin Assembly.

Hurd: I have experience both in local and state government. I have experience in the United States Army. I was a captain in the military intelligence; I was a briefer to the generals for the 24th Infantry Division… My entire life, I have been steeped with huge amounts of information that most people would find very boring, such as where are the air defense units in Lebanon, Iran and Turkey. I am very detailoriented, so I don’t get bored when going through lots of information, such as reading long bills or agreements. I read everything and do my thorough research before I just agree to something. And I’m not afraid to call someone out if they propose legislation that would be bad for the people of Wisconsin.

Kelley: The main factor that separates two of us is that I’m not beholden to (Assembly Speaker) Robin Vos. There is no one telling me what to do but the people. I’ve worked so very hard with my own two hands to help build this country. Now I’d like to use my own two hands for better service by rebuilding our government.

Inflation is a major concern for many Wisconsinites, with groceries, gas and other commodities being less affordable than ever. If you are elected, what could be done to address that at the state level?

Halls: I think the issue with prices stems more from price gouging than inflation. If elected, I would work to address price gouging by advocating for stronger consumer protection laws and better oversight at the state level. One essential approach would be implementing stricter penalties for companies that exploit market disruptions to unfairly raise prices on essential goods like groceries, gas and healthcare products. Additionally, I would push for better enforcement of Wisconsin’s existing anti-price gouging laws, ensuring that businesses are held accountable when taking advantage of consumers during emergencies or economic strain.

Increasing the minimum wage and addressing broader economic issues like affordable housing and healthcare would ease the financial burden on Wisconsinites, making everyday expenses more manageable. By combining stronger enforcement with consumer-friendly policies, we can help protect Wisconsin families from the devastating impacts of price gouging.

Hurd: So, I’m going to separate out the economy from inflation, because inflation is the prices that are going up. Inflation is pretty difficult for the state to get involved in; it’s more of a federal issue. We can do something by reducing unnecessary regulations that we have placed on different businesses that make it more difficult for them to operate. That is one of the reasons I am requesting to be put on the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, because some of our administrative rules created by the executive branch are overly cumbersome.

But what really drives up inflation more than regulation is spending more money than you have. And we don’t have that problem at the state level because we are required by our constitution to have a balanced budget. That is not so at the federal level. So that is the real thing that is driving up the cost, is you’re overspending with money that you don’t have, and so that lowers the value of the dollar and it costs more to buy the same product.

Now, the economy is slightly different. That’s how well our businesses are thriving. We can do something about that at the state level. We tried three times this past session to put more money in the pockets of every citizen by passing tax cuts, but all three bills were vetoed. But I will keep fighting to keep taxes as low as we possibly can.

Kelley: Inflation is always going to be a concern. Things are always going to cost more. When more people are buying things, people are going to pay more for their goods and services, which, believe it or not, is a good sign. It means more people have jobs; purchasing power in other countries is at a high. The only other option is deflation where no one is working and people can’t afford to buy anything, so prices fall. Goods and services cost less. Inflation means strong dollar and better purchasing power. Inflation’s not always a bad thing; the only other alternative is deflation and no one wants deflation. Inflation means people are getting out there and buying goods and whatnot. But… all this money that’s an influx into the economy, that’s what costs up. And unfortunately businesses take advantage of that and do price gouging. There could be limits on price gouging, but necessarily, inflation isn’t always a bad thing. The only other alternative is lack of jobs and nobody can afford anything, so then the prices go down. That’s what they’re trying to do with the interest rate. That’s why they raised the interest rate, so people wouldn’t have as much money so everything — goods and prices on services would come down.

We could work on infrastructure on how we get things to each other… I’d like to do anything we possibly can. But that involves both sides working with each other to come up with an educated response.

In our area, we have seen cash purchases of properties at much higher-than-normal prices for the area, triggering revaluations and jumps in equalized value. Would you support efforts to put regulation or restrictions on business entities from buying up residential properties?

Halls: This is a concerning trend that, as we have seen, can destabilize our housing market and make homeownership less attainable for families in our communities. I would absolutely support efforts to regulate or restrict these practices to protect local residents and ensure that housing remains affordable.

Implementing measures that prioritize homeownership for families and individuals over corporate entities can help maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods. This could include restrictions on the number of properties a single entity can purchase in a specific area or requirements for companies to demonstrate a commitment to maintaining affordable housing standards.

I would also advocate for a thorough review of property tax assessments to ensure that they reflect the

See 69th ASSEMBLY/ page 9

Roger Halls

Karen Hurd

Joshua Kelley

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true value of homes in our area, preventing unjustified tax burdens on residents. Encouraging transparency in real estate transactions will also be key, as it allows local governments to monitor and respond to significant changes in property ownership.

Finally, promoting affordable housing initiatives and community land trusts can help create more opportunities for families to secure homes without being priced out by corporate buyers. By taking these steps, we can work toward a housing market that serves the needs of our residents and fosters stable, thriving communities. If elected, I will prioritize these regulations to protect homeownership and the wellbeing of families in our district.

Hurd: I do think this is an area that should be scrutinized and solutions brought forth. It works in another way, also. If a property owner is wanting to get a loan on a property that they own with no mortgage (so a cash-out type of loan), the value of the property may actually be lower than it really is due to the comps. I am certainly willing to take a hard look at this issue and see what stakeholders have to say as far as possible solutions.

Kelley: I would support putting limits on entities, to a point. I would have to see said legislation and read it line by line to judge the merits of its value.

In addition to the issues I’ve mentioned, in talking to the people of the 69th Assembly District, what are some of the main issues or concerns you hear brought up, and how do you plan to address those concerns if elected to office?

Halls: In my conversations with residents of the 69th Assembly District, three concerns consistently surface: access to affordable childcare, affordable housing and affordable healthcare. These issues are interconnected and affect the quality of life for families in our community.

Many parents struggle to find quality childcare that is both accessible and affordable, making it difficult for them to work and support their families. If elected, I will advocate for increased funding for childcare programs and expand family subsidies. This will help ensure that all children can access safe and enriching environments, allowing parents to pursue their careers without stress.

Affordable housing is another concern, with rising rents making it challenging for families to find stable homes. I will push for policies that promote the construction of affordable housing and support initiatives for first-time homebuyers, making it easier for families to secure safe and affordable housing in our district.

Healthcare costs continue to burden many families. I will work to expand access to affordable healthcare options, including Medicaid expansion, and support initiatives that lower prescription drug prices. By improving access to healthcare, we can alleviate financial pressure and enhance the wellbeing of our community.

Addressing these issues of childcare, housing and healthcare can create a stronger, healthier community where families can thrive. If elected, I am committed to being a voice for the residents of the 69th Assembly District and working towards real solutions to these concerns.

Hurd: The number one issue, way far and above, is the economy. They are very upset about it — it is expensive… Everybody says they’re worried about gas prices; they’re worried about food. The second thing they’re most concerned about is illegals— the borders. They’re afraid. And most of them have heard about Abbotsford. And they’ve heard that this was not a good situation. And they’ve heard about Whitewater, where we’ve got that situation going on. And a lot of them knew about the refugees, the last ones coming in… now refugees are different than illegal aliens. But it’s the border. That’s a big issue.

Kelley: One of the main concerns I hear a lot of is the lack of action in our government. No one is getting anything done, ever. Everyone is just content with trying to make the other side look bad. As an independent, I would seek to bring both sides back to the table, back together. The word “compromise” means you don’t get everything you want. We can have differing opinions on how to solve problems, but we should all still agree that we have problems that need solutions. If we can’t have a common discourse, then we’ve all lost.