Wisconsin’s Primary Candidates

The Wisconsin partisan primary is coming up on Tuesday, August 13th. This article highlights the backgrounds of the candidates for the Wisconsin Assembly 73rd and 74th districts. These are the races of interest for voters in far northwestern Wisconsin.

Voters should be aware that the 73rd and 74th Assembly districts boundaries have changed due to last year’s redistricting settlement.

There are two good Democratic candidates for the 73rd Assembly district. Both have very similar position on the issues. Either one has a good chance of winning in November.

John Adams grew up in Duluth. He has a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota and has worked for newspapers in Montana and Minnesota. He worked on a law degree before moving to Bayfield to become an organic farmer. He now grows vegetables and works at a farm cooperative distributing local food in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. John describes this experience as reflecting “our region’s survival – a creative economic solution through organizing.” John has served on the Washburn Town Board.

John will advocate for living wages, support for unions, affordable housing, opposing corporate price gouging, affordable healthcare, common sense gun safety and protecting the environment.

John’s practical approach is seen in his support for better funding for rural emergency services. He advocates providing state funding so local governments can improve emergency services.

Get to know John at www.vote4john.com.

Angela Shroud moved to Ashland in 2012. She “fell in love with the lake and north woods and the Chequamegon Bay community…” Angela grew up in Texas. She has a doctorate degree in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin and has been an educator for 14 years. She is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Social Justice at Northland College in Ashland.

Angela is a strong and articulate advocate for progressive policies including; protecting the Lake Superior watershed, supporting teachers and strengthening schools, fighting for reproductive justice and healthcare and advocating affordable housing

Learn more about Angela at https://stroudforwisconsin.com.

Jeanne Bruce lives in Spooner and is a lifelong Democrat and running for Assembly in the 74th district. She is retired from a 30-year career in “program and fund development in business, government and the nonprofit sector.” She has extensive experience serving on many county boards and public and non-profit community boards and committees. She served on U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold’s staff.

Jeanne believes “government provides vital services which positively affect our daily lives” and are essential to the economic development, safety and well-being of our northern communities. She will prioritize protecting women’s access to reproductive health care, reinvigorate rural health care and preserving our fragile northern natural resources.

Scott Harbridge is one of two Republican primary contenders. He is an Army veteran and worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for 26 years as a correction officer.

Scott supports the typical conservative Republican and religious right positions. He says, “I stand for the Bible, our constitution and Bill of Rights. We need God back in all aspects of our country.” This includes prioritizing law enforcement, smaller government, school choice, “medical freedom” (except for abortion), the 2nd amendment, and “America 1st” patriotism. Scott advocates going back to “same day” paper ballots that are “hand counted” for elections.

Read about Scott’s views at www.harbridgeforassembly.com.

Chance Green is the incumbent representative and is running for re-election. He has a background working for the City of Ashland utilities department and running bar and rental businesses. He has served one term in the Assembly.

Chance has the usual Republican small town conservative pro-business views. He supports hunting and 2nd amendment rights. He prioritizes economic development and infrastructure spending.

Chance’s campaign website is www.harbridgeforassembly.com.