Meet the candidates
Soon, voters will have the opportunity to whittle down the field of candidates running for local, state or federal office through the Aug. 13 Partisan Primary. Voters will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite candidates in only one political party, with the top vote-getters advancing to the Nov. 5 General Election. Races on the ballot include members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, State Assembly seats and the Clark County district attorney, clerk, treasurer and register of deeds.
The Tribune Record Gleaner reached out to candidates seeking office in the state Legislature to help readers learn more about them and their stances on the issues in order to cast an informed vote. Keep reading to find out more.
WISCONSIN’S 69TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT The makeup of the 69th Assembly District recently changed, as did many districts in Wisconsin after a months-long fight on the state’s legislative maps. The governor and state Legislature finally reached a bipartisan agreement on new legislative maps in February, after the state Supreme Court declared the previous maps unconstitutional. Nearly half of the state’s representatives and senators are running in new districts.
The old 69th District included the western half of Clark County and part of Chippewa County, as well as a large part of Eau Claire County. The new 69th includes all of Clark County and parts of Chippewa, Taylor and Marathon counties, including the communities of Abbotsford, Athens, Boyd, Colby, Curtiss, Dorchester, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Medford, Neillsville, Owen, Stanley, Stetsonville, Thorp, Unity and Withee.
There are three candidates running to represent the new 69th Assembly District: Roger Halls (D-Stanley), Karen Hurd (RTown of Withee, rural Thorp) and Lori Voss (R-Abbotsford). Halls did not return a questionnaire to the TRG. The top vote-getter between Hurd and Voss will advance to the General Election to take on Halls.
Hurd is currently representing the old 68th District, which includes part of Clark County. No incumbent was represented in the 69th District in the new maps, so Hurd relocated so she could continue to represent the 68th and also run for the 69th. Voss, if elected, would be new to state government, but she has experience serving as an elected official, having been a mayor and city council member. The following are their responses.
Please see Candidates, page 3 Candidates,
from p. 3
Why are you running for public office?
To serve the people of Wisconsin by lowering taxes; prohibiting illegal immigrants from invading our country; making government smaller; giving local control back to the towns, villages, and cities; protecting the unborn; making government fiscally responsible; reducing regulations; bringing down inflation; fixing the economy; keeping boys out of girls’ sports; and stopping tax dollars from being used for gender transition surgeries and procedures. Since serving as a village trustee, library trustee, substitute school teacher, retirement housing board member, Lion of the Year recipient and American Legion member, I have seen the need for proven conservative leadership in our government.
What knowledge and/or experience do you bring to this position?
I currently serve as a state legislator. This experience as a state legislator is critically important in accomplishing the goals of protecting our constitution and establishing common sense legislation. I served in the U.S. Army in the Military Intelligence Corp for four years active duty, two years Reserve duty, and am a member of the Individual Ready Reserve. I have worked in the healthcare field for 30 years. I hold a master of science degree in biochemistry, as well as a master of public health degree. I am a small business owner operating three businesses with the assistance of outstanding employees.
What issues or policy areas would you like to focus on, if elected?
Legislation to protect towns and restore local control; achieving/maintaining energy independence through reliable energy sources (wind/solar are not reliable and cannot maintain the grid—we have to have other sources); reducing the tax burden on Wisconsinites; helping the children of our state who languish in foster care and need permanent homes; fix the broken childcare system; help local municipalities in maintaining roads by increasing the General Transportation Aid; keep China and other foreign adversaries from buying our farmland; and reduce the bureaucracy by keeping a tighter control on administrative rules as well as shrinking the overall government size. Describe your community involvement (clubs, organizations, volunteering, etc.).
Village trustee, library trustee, American Legioncolorguardcommanderandchaplain, Historical Society member, Lions Club member, director of music/worship for 19 years, Sunday School teacher and women’s Bible study leader for 19 years, president of senior retirement housing board, columnist for six local community newspapers, playwright/director for
Please see Candidates, page 5
Karen Hurd Candidates,
from p. 3
community theatre for 20 years, screenwriter/producer of locally produced family film involving the history of our community, speaker for many community events, regular radio guest on Christian radio WWIB/WOGO for nine years, substitute teacher for our wonderful Wisconsin children in local public schools.
Anything else you would like the community to know?
For my work in this 2023-2024 Legislative Session, I received the Dairy Business Association Legislative Excellence Award and WISCAP’s William Steiger Award for the Republican legislator who did the most for community action programs. I was chosen to attend the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development as well as the State Legislative Leaders Foundation Emerging Legislative Leaders Program. I received the Air Assault Badge, Marksmanship Badge and Army Service Medal. I am an author, having written and published three books. I am endorsed by Wisconsin Right to Life and the National Rifle Association.
Why are you running for public office?
I’m running for this open Assembly seat to bring an experienced conservative voice to Madison for our area. We need a fighter in Madison to defend our constitution and preserve fundamental freedoms. I will never waiver from defending liberty on issues such as protecting our Second Amendment rights, securing our borders, protecting life and ensuring election integrity. I will fight on behalf of rural Wisconsin to protect our farmland from foreign-owned wind entities. We need a leader who fights back against radical left-wing, woke policies of the Biden and Evers administrations. I’ve thought about running for this seat for some time ever since my friend Scott Suder retired from office.
What knowledge and/or experience do you bring to this position?
I bring over 40 years of service and leadership experience to this position. I’m a small business owner, having owned and operated Hawkeye Dairy Store for over 28 years. I’ve also been an EMT for Central Fire and EMS for 14 years and served as mayor of Abbotsford, where I helped save our city over $7 million on an addition to our water/wastewater facilities that was not needed. Additionally, I served my country in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and have been a 4-H leader for our children. I’m the only candidate who has 40 years of established roots in this district working and volunteering.
What issues or policy areas would you like to focus on, if elected?
As your state representative, I would focus on ensuring our communities are safe, election integrity (no ballot drop boxes!), reducing our tax burden, streamlining burdensome regulations – especially for rural EMS volunteers – and stemming the tide of illegal immigration. The fact is that we have a shortage of police, firefighters and EMS volunteers. That needs to change to keep our communities safe and thriving. I’ll bring my experience as a successful small business owner to Madison to cut red tape, balance our budgets, cut taxes and fight against socialist, woke policies of the Evers administration. I will bring some rural common sense to Madison for a change.
Describe your community involvement (clubs, organizations, volunteering, etc.)
I have over 40 years of volunteer and community leadership experience in our area. I’ve worked as an EMT for 14 years, serving as assistant ambulance chief for part of that time. I was elected as mayor of Abbotsford for four years and served for 10 years on the Abby City Council as both council member and president. I served six years in the WisconsinArmy National Guard.Additionally, I volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital assisting post-operative families with cast care. I taught children life skills as a 4-H leader. I’ve also spent time helping Farmland First fight the battle against wind turbines and solar taking over our precious farmland.
Anything else you would like the community to know?
I would like voters to know that I’m the real conservative running in this race. I’ve earned the endorsements of Wisconsin Pro-Life, Americans For Prosperity and Farmland First. I have lifelong ties to our communities – my opponent does not. She just recently moved into this area to run despite having never lived here. She simply isn’t a conservative. For instance, she voted for the $7 million taxpayer bailout for the Brewer stadium for a billionaire from New York. She also voted for AB 470 – a no-bid contract bill for utility monopolies which will cost taxpayers millions. We need a true conservative who will stand up to the establishment.
Please see Candidates, page 7
Lori Voss Candidates,
from p. 5
WISCONSIN’S 86TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT The old 86th Assembly District included the central part of Marathon County and a small part of Marathon County, including the northeast part of Marshfield. The new 86th District includes some of the same territory, but extends farther west to the Clark-Marathon county line and covers the northern half of Wood County, including all of Marshfield. Besides Marshfield, the newly re-drawn 86th encompasses Marathon City, Edgar, Fenwood and Stratford.
Running for the Assembly seat are John H. Small (D-Marathon City), Donna M. Rozar (R-Marshfield), Trine Spindler (R-Town of Day, rural Stratford) and John Spiros (R-Marshfield). Small did not return a questionnaire, and neither did Spindler. Rozar, Spindler and Spiros will face each other in the Republican primary Aug. 13. Rozar is currently representing the old 69th District, which includes part of Marshfield. Spiros is currently representing the old 86th District, which includes the other part of Marshfield. They both bring legislative experience to bear in this race.
Why are you running for public office?
I am running for the 86th Assembly District because with the redistricting, my residence is now in that newly realigned district, which is made up of four previous districts. Forty-eight percent of this new district consists of constituents I have represented over the past two years. Edgar, which I represented my first term, was put into this new district and I look forward to representing them again.
I have offered a unique perspective to discussions at the Capitol because of my work/life experiences and would like to continue. The only other nurse in the State Assembly decided not to seek reelection, which would leave me as the only nurse to add that perspective.
What knowledge and/or experience do you bring to this position?
As a Wood County supervisor, I take that experience to Madison, which helps me explain how policies made there affect local municipalities. This helped me advocate for the shared revenue package that sent more monies to local municipalities last session.
As a nurse and retired nurse educator, I can explain the importance of rural health care and workforce issues in the health care professions. I have worked effectively with groups and organizations to draft bills relating to health care affordability and access, some of which have been signed by the governor.
My four years in the State Assembly have given me many opportunities to network and forge relationships that will make future years there productive.
What issues or policy areas would you like to focus on, if elected?
I will continue to focus on issues important to rural Wisconsin: health care, transportation infrastructure and public safety, as well as reliable, affordable and accessible energy. I will continue to support policies that protect individual rights and freedoms, local control, Second Amendment rights, protections for the unborn, sound fiscal governance, reasonable taxation, and the preservation of natural resources. I will continue to approach all issues with common sense and thoughtful, deliberative discussion.
Describe your community involvement (clubs, organizations, volunteering, etc.)
I am an active member of my local church, as well as an attendee and supporter of many organizations, such as Lucille Tack Center for the Arts, Marshfield Civic Band and other local musical offerings; The Hannah Center; and Shirley’s House of Hope; to name just a few. Over the years I have been president of the Marshfield Women’s Club, a graduate of Leadership Marshfield (a past alumnus of the year), active in the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Main Street Marshfield, and a volunteer and supporter at numerous fundraising events.
Anything else you would like the community to know?
It has been my honor and privilege to serve the constituency of central Wisconsin for the past four years. This redistricting has been confusing, chaotic, and divisive. Nothing anyone I know would have chosen. I do believe that I offer a unique perspective in Madison and have been vocal in taking the concerns of rural communities to the discussions. Thank you for your support to continue to do so.
Why are you running for public office?
I have represented the 86th Assembly District since 2012. As when I first ran for public office, my motivation continues to be cutting taxes for hard-working Wisconsinites. I’m proud that I’ve played a large role in bringing Wisconsin’s tax burden to an all-time low by cutting over $31 billion during my time in office. Next session, I look forward to continuing to cut taxes for seniors and middle-class families during this time of Bidenflation, continuing to bolster public safety, supporting the local economy and local agriculture, and ensuring that central Wisconsin is a place where people want to both raise families and retire, with good schools and safe communities.
What knowledge and/or experience do you bring to this position?
My experience is clear: I am a businessman, U.S.Air Force veteran, former law enforcement officer, and have 12 years of successful experience in the Legislature. My strong safety background informs my decisions as chairman of the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety – one of the busiest and most powerful in the Legislature. I bring a level-headed perspective with firsthand experience to this role in order to make the best decisions on behalf of Wisconsinites. I also have an extensive record of pushing back on the radical, left-wing Evers administration, including fighting vaccine mandates and preserving parental authority.
What issues or policy areas would you like to focus on, if elected?
I will continue to fight to keep money in people’s pockets, especially during Bidenflation. I will continue to ensure local law enforcement and EMS have the resources needed to be effective. I am also always open to working on the issues that matter most to my constituents. The experience and relationships that I have cultivated during my time in politics make me effective even during a time of split government. Just this past legislative session, I had several bills signed into law because of these established relationships that less-experienced individuals would not have been able to accomplish.
Describe your community involvement (clubs, organizations, volunteering, etc.)
I am a member of the Marathon County Farm Bureau, Marshfield American Legion Post 54, Marshfield Knights of Columbus and Marshfield Elks Lodge 665. I volunteer annually at local dairy breakfasts, the Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, Wreaths Across America,andotherlocaleventsandfundraisers. I also served eight years on the Marshfield City Council prior to my time in the Assembly. Additionally, I am proud of the work I have done in the private sector to create jobs that bolster the local economy.
Anything else you would like the community to know?
During my time as an elected official, I’ve lowered taxes, bolstered public safety, implemented CPR training in schools, voted to retain local jobs, and supported agriculture. Every time I vote, the impact on my district is at the top of my decision. While the district lines have recently shifted, my dedication and commitment to the 86thAssembly District has not. Wisconsin is going to need strong, experienced, conservative leaders in Madison to ensure that we don’t become Minnesota 2.0. Single-issue candidates and those who vote for vaccine mandates and tax increases are not going to cut it.
ADDITIONAL ELECTION INFORMATION Early in-person voting begins July 30 and ends Aug. 9. Voters should check with their municipal clerk for office hours. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Aug. 13 to be counted.
People may vote on election day, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 13.
People may visit myvote.wi.gov to and type in their address to view their complete ballot for the Partisan Primary.
Donna Rozar
John Spiros
