State of Wisconsin Archives: on Principles & Values
Alex Lasry:
Senior VP of Milwaukee Bucks; raised team's activism
Alex Lasry is the Senior Vice President of the Milwaukee Bucks. He spearheaded the Buck's corporate citizenship efforts to demonstrate that some things are bigger than basketball: marching with local leaders to protest the police shooting of
Jacob Blake, leading the "Bucks Vote" initiative, and consistently raising the level of the team's racial and social justice activism.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Senate campaign website AlexLasry.com
Nov 16, 2019
Alex Lasry:
Visiting Israel is emotional; I really feel my Judaism there
Every time I go to Israel, it's a powerful and very emotional time. Israel is a place that is dear to my heart, especially growing up fairly religious. It's going to the Wailing Wall and everything, especially being in Jerusalem and visiting
Yad Vashem. It's just a really incredible place -- and a great place to feel that history and really feel my Judaism.
Source: Jewish Insider on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Mar 1, 2021
Alex Lasry:
Father's American success story couldn't happen elsewhere
[On his father]: "He became a very great American success story," Lasry said, "but the story my dad grew up with is hard to do today. It's hard to get a good public education, hard to graduate from college without a crushing amount of debt, or find a
good union job. That's harder to do today, and it shouldn't be." "My dad always says his story couldn't have happened anywhere else," Lasry said. "That's what we need to be able to bring back: the idea that you can do all that."
Source: Door County Pulse on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Jun 14, 2021
Alex Lasry:
Being on the right side of history isn't bad for business
Q: How has the team's embrace of the Black Lives Matter movement played out in Milwaukee?A: I think the city really rallied around our team and that message that we were trying to promote. All we were trying to do was support the activists and people
who are on the ground and doing this every day, and make sure we're able to give [them] more visibility and a louder microphone. Hopefully what we were able to show is that being on the right side of history isn't actually bad for business.
Source: Washington Post on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Jun 14, 2021
Bill Lee:
Don't exclude faith from public life
Religious liberty is non-negotiable. One of the most fundamental Constitutional rights is the right to exercise your faith freely. Too many times, the phrase, "separation of church and state" has been twisted to mean "keep faith out of public life"
or, "leaders should check their values at the door when making decisions about right and wrong." That understanding is a mistake, and as governor, I will work to defend the freedom of every Tennessean to live his or her values.
Source: 2018 Wisconsin governor campaign website BillLee.org
Jul 2, 2018
Glenn Grothman:
Sponsored "In God We Trust" license plates
2013-2014 Legislative Accomplishments: Bills signed into law by Gov. Walker- AB 139: Informed consent for physicians
- AB 244: "In God We Trust" license plates
2013-2014 Legislative Session: Other Key Legislation Authored- SB 443:
Statewide School Information System: opt-out for private & religious schools
- AB 252: Proper disposition of fetal remains
- SB 202: Removing health coverage for abortions under state plans
- AB 247: Limitations on requiring & requesting flu shots
Source: 2014 Wisconsin House campaign website, GlennGrothman.com
May 31, 2014
Glenn Grothman:
Judeo-Christian framework is moral; Shariah is a threat
Q: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution?GROTHMAN: Disagree
Q: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government?
GROTHMAN: Strongly Agree
Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values?
GROTHMAN: 1) Christian--the beliefs & values as described in the Bible 2) Try reading the ten commandments, the sermon on the Mount. . It's all very valuable reading.
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Wisconsin House race
Sep 30, 2014
Jim Doyle:
Priorities: close deficit, improve schools and jobs
As I assume office today, I have been handed a staggering budget deficit of $4.3 billion dollars. It shouldn't have happened, but it did. And we're going to fix it. We can't do everything... but that's what we're faced with. Over the long haul,
my priorities are clear: - Making sure our kids go to even better schools and universities.
- Helping create good, high paying jobs that let people enjoy a good life.
- Not raising taxes on the hardworking people of Wisconsin who already
pay their fair share.
- Helping usher in new high tech and information-age businesses.
- Keeping our citizens safe on their streets and in their neighborhoods.
- Protecting Wisconsin's incredible environment -
our rivers, our lakes and our streams.
- Listening carefully for the quiet voices - our seniors, those in desperate need of health care, our fellow citizens held back by poverty.
Source: Inaugural Address of Wisconsin's 44th Governor
Jan 6, 2003
Jonathan Wichmann:
I often rely on my Christian faith to guide me
I often rely on my Christian faith to guide me to make choices that are right for me and my family--and when it comes to government, we have been given the tools to succeed if we only use them. Currently, we are facing a global pandemic that is putting
our state and our country on the brink of an economic catastrophe. The fear that has been instilled in people is leaving many paralyzed into submission and our current leadership is making reactive choices with long-stemming consequences.
Source: Wisconsin Christian News on 2022 Wisconsin Governor race
Jun 1, 2021
Jonathan Wichmann:
Claimed insurrection was led by "Antifa" without evidence
Jonathan Wichmann posted a YouTube video Jan. 8, 2021: "A meeting between DC police and rioters / Antifa beforehand. If you don't know that the DC looting was staged think again." The accompanying video shows one man taking a selfie with what appears to
be a Capitol Police officer while someone says, "Hey Cap" twice. It takes place inside the U.S. Capitol.But Wichmann's claim flies in the face of a litany of evidence without presenting any reasonable evidence itself. Wichmann did not respond to an
array of messages seeking a defense of his claim.
A growing number of protesters have been identified and connected to long histories supporting Trump, QAnon and far-right causes.
This includes people some have claimed were Antifa activists. There is no credible evidence that the crowd was infiltrated or led by Antifa activists in disguise. We rate Wichmann's claim Pants on Fire.
Source: Politifact Fact-Check on 2022 Wisconsin Governor race
Jan 8, 2021
Kelda Helen Roys:
Oppose government attempts to interfere with religion
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?
A: Oppose--I strongly support freedom of religion and oppose government attempts to interfere with religious practice or impose/establish religion in government.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Wisconsin Governor candidate
May 5, 2018
Leah Vukmir:
Our rights come from God, not man
Leah believes our rights come from God, not man. The government exists to enforce our freedoms and protect our rights, not to create new entitlements not specifically enumerated in the Constitution.
If elected, Leah will swear an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States, and she pledges to always refer to the intention of our founders when deciding how to vote.
Source: 2018 Wisconsin Senate campaign website LeahVukmir.com
Aug 10, 2017
Mandela Barnes:
Parents valued working hard, fighting for opportunity
Mandela's story is a uniquely American story. He was born in Milwaukee, in one of the most impoverished and incarcerated Zip codes in the state. His mom was a Milwaukee school teacher for 30 years. His dad worked 3rd shift at the General Motors plant.
They were both active union members organizing for better wages and defending workers' rights. Their example showed him the importance of working hard and fighting for opportunity for everyone.
Source: 2021 Wisconsin Senate campaign website MandelaBarnes.com
Jul 23, 2021
Mandela Barnes:
Hit for overdue property taxes & unpaid parking tickets
He has made missteps. Barnes weathered criticism about overdue property taxes, unpaid parking tickets and an increase in security costs as lieutenant governor. The Republican Party of
Wisconsin raised some of those issues in a statement that said: " 'Make-it-up Mandela' Barnes has neither the maturity nor the temperament to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate."
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Jul 20, 2021
Mandela Barnes:
We have to lead with our values and vision: change the game
In a video Barnes is shown running through Milwaukee while advocating for family-supporting jobs, access to education, support for family farms, lowerhealthcare costs, climate change solutions and voter rights. "We can't be satisfied
to just get through another election cycle; we have to look toward the future," Barnes said in his announcement. "Defeating Ron Johnson is only Step One. We have to lead with our values, we have to lead with our vision, and change the game."
Source: The Capital Times on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Jul 20, 2021
Mandela Barnes:
Questions conservative Christian ideology link to hate
[On gay rights]: "How many people have been driven to hate and act violently towards the LGBT community by 'conservative Christian' ideology?" Barnes tweeted. "I said that to say that there is a very anti-LGBT sentiment that exists in a lot of people
who misinterpret their faith, be it Christianity, be it Judaism, be it Islam. But I can't say that about Judaism because I'm not Jewish. I can't say that about Islam because I'm not Muslim. I can speak to that because I am a Christian," Barnes said.
Source: The Capital Times on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Jun 15, 2016
Mark Neumann:
Conservatives believe in faith, family and country
Neumann said he's the most conservative candidate. "It's important to define what that means. A conservative believes in faith, family and country. It's the most important things in their lives, and I do," Neumann said.The men seemed to agree on
a lot of issues Wednesday night, like cutting federal spending and repealing health care reforms. Where they seem to differ is regarding what kind of candidate they think voters want to see, and whether that person is a seasoned politician or a newcomer.
Source: Fox 6 Now Milwaukee on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debate
Apr 11, 2012
Mark Neumann:
A conservative believes in faith, family and country
Neumann said he's the most conservative candidate. "It's important to define what that means. A conservative believes in faith, family and country. It's the most important things in their lives, and I do," Neumann said.The men seemed to agree on
a lot of issues Wednesday night, like cutting federal spending and repealing health care reforms. Where they seem to differ is regarding what kind of candidate they think voters want to see, and whether that person is a seasoned politician or a newcomer.
Source: Fox 11 WITI-TV coverage of 2012 Wisconsin Senate debate
Apr 12, 2012
Mike Gallagher:
Stand against those who restrict our religious liberties
Right to Faith and Freedom: Big government reaches further into our personal lives every single day, threatening the
Constitutional liberties we have fought and bled for. This needs to stop. I will stand against those who want to restrict our religious liberties and privacy.
Source: 2016 Wisconsin House campaign website MikeForWisconsin.com
Nov 8, 2016
Phil Anderson:
Freely practice beliefs so long as not hurting others
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?
A: Oppose.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Wisconsin Governor candidate
May 18, 2018
Rebecca Kleefisch:
Former TV reporter/anchor is "recovering journalist"
A "recovering journalist," Rebecca got her start working as a reporter for WIFR-TV in Rockford after graduating from the University of Wisconsin.
Soon after, she became a reporter and then news anchor for WISN-TV in Milwaukee, where she worked until starting her own media and marketing firm.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Gov. campaign website RebeccaForGovernor.com
Apr 3, 2022
Rebecca Kleefisch:
2010 campaign: relies on wisdom and faith she has in Jesus
[On religion]: "Will faith play a part in the decisions our elected officials make?" asks a flier distributed by her campaign. "As lieutenant governor, Rebecca Kleefisch plans on making decisions the same way she does today - relying on the wisdom and
faith she has in Jesus.""Rebecca needs your help," said the card, which is targeted to churches and evangelical Christians and is posted on her website.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on 2022 Wisconsin Governor race
Sep 5, 2010
Russell Feingold:
Badger Pledge: keep outside groups out of state race
To push back against the attacks, Feingold has called on Johnson to sign the "Badger pledge" so both candidates can call on outside groups to stay out of the state. Johnson has so far refused to do so. And when asked repeatedly whether he would do what
he's done in past races--demand Democratic outside groups stay out of Wisconsin no matter what his opponent does--Feingold demurred. "I will continue to urge him to sign it," Feingold said. "That's the only responsible thing--to sign it."
Source: Politico.com on 2016 Wisconsin Senate race
Aug 5, 2015
Sarah Godlewski:
There's so much more that connects us rather than divides us
With another divisive election behind us, as we combat an infectious virus and work to rebuild our economy, it's important that we recognize there is so much more that connects us instead of divides us. Hard work, pragmatism and hope aren't Democratic
or Republican values--they're Wisconsin values. By actively listening to one another and working together, we can make meaningful investments around these shared values. We know this won't be easy, but there's no doubt it'll be worth it.
Source: Wisconsin State Journal on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Nov 16, 2020
Scott Walker:
19 Walker associates involved in "John Doe" scandal
Walker's opponents have pushed to tie an ongoing scandal involving former Walker aides to the governor. The so-called "John Doe" investigation, which is ongoing, centers around allegations of misuse of government time and money during Walker's tenure as
the county executive of Milwaukee. It has already resulted in the arrest of three former Walker aides, two of his appointees and a major donor, while 13 others have been granted immunity to aid the investigation. Walker has amassed a large legal-defense
fund but insists he is not a target of the investigation; Democrats point to the circumstantial evidence to claim that something fishy clearly was happening on his watch.If this issue seems like a sideshow compared to what the recall is supposed to
be about--a referendum on Walker, his agenda, and his style of governance--that's because views of Walker appear deeply entrenched among the Wisconsin electorate.
Source: The Atlantic on 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall debate
Jun 5, 2002
Tammy Baldwin:
I fight for us; my opponent fights for the big and powerful
In his successful recall effort June, Gov. Scott Walker portrayed public employees as privileged. In the Senate race, Thompson and Baldwin each claim to be the champion of the middle class."People are asking the question, 'Who's fighting for us?'
versus 'Who's fighting for the big and powerful,'" Baldwin said in an Oct. 2 interview in Milwaukee. "Whose side are you on is a classic question in some elections, and I think it's coming to bear very particularly in this."
[One analyst] said Baldwin
is trying to "to recapture the notion that the Democratic candidate is the populist candidate," he said. "She's trying hard to portray Thompson as the tool of the elite."
The Baldwin campaign has labeled Thompson a lobbyist for companies his Health &
Human Services agency used to oversee, a charge that Thompson angrily denies. "I've never been a lobbyist," he said in an interview. "That's absolutely a lie." Thompson is working to define Baldwin as a big-spender, calling her "out of the mainstream."
Source: Bloomberg Businessweek on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debate
Oct 5, 2012
Tim Michels:
Make Wisconsin greatest place to work, live, raise a family
As governor, Tim Michels will fix the Wisconsin economy by taking his business and leadership experience and bringing it to Madison. He will always back the blue, back parents in public education, cut taxes, keep schools open five days a
week, and ensure our elections are fair and transparent. He will make Wisconsin the greatest place to work, live, and raise a family.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin campaign website MichelsForGovernor.com
Aug 12, 2022
Tim Michels:
America is the greatest country in the history of the world
It's really this simple--the United States of America is the greatest country in the history of the world. It's the country that's inspired millions from all walks of life to live their American dream and succeed for themselves and their families.
If you were born here or have been fortunate enough to emigrate to America, congratulations--You hit the jackpot!
Source: 2022 Wisconsin campaign press release MichelsForGovernor.com
Jul 4, 2022
Timothy Ramthun:
Gives praise & all glory to God for election victory
[On campaigning]: "This was not a one-person deal. I was never alone. When I walked thousands of doors by myself, I was never alone. I give the praise to God, all glory to
God today," he said. "I'm happy for the people. I'm again humbled by the people and the fact that they endorsed me with the ultimate endorsement of all--their vote."
Source: Fond du Lac Reporter on 2022 Wisconsin Gubernatorial race
Aug 14, 2018
Tom Nelson:
If local official took on COVID, we can take on anything
[On local government] "County executives, mayors and administrators are leading our country in the fight against COVID. Look at the things that we've had to do as local officials. We've had to write local orders, we've had to close non-essential offices
in counties, we've had to cobble together a regional coalition to implement some of these measures. If you think about it, if local officials can take on COVID, can take on a pandemic, we can take on anything, period."
Source: The Madison Capital Times on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Oct 26, 2020
Tommy Thompson:
Declines debates because opponents "want to shoot at me"
Thompson also had some heated words when asked if he has been avoiding debates with other Senate candidates. "Everybody's upset because I'm leading. If I wasn't leading, if I was last place, nobody could care less whether I come," said
Thompson. "The fact that I'm number one, everybody wants to shoot at me. Well that's nice, they are being gentlemen about it. We want to take your head off, so come on down." [For this week's debate], Thompson says he had prior engagements.
Source: WLUK-TV FOX 11 News on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debates
Apr 9, 2012
Tony Evers:
95% of bills in first year had bipartisan support
In my last State of the State Address, I asked the legislature to set politics aside so we could work together on the issues facing our state. I said I expected bills to be passed with broad support and in the spirit of bipartisanship.
So, one of the things I'm most proud of is that more than 95 percent of the bills I signed my first year in office had bipartisan support. And, by golly, folks worked together on some important issues.
Source: 2020 State of the State address on Wisconsin voting record
Jan 22, 2020
Tony Evers:
I believe that there is more that unites us than divides us
We are reminded tonight of the spirit of our service-to forget our own prejudices, to make concessions where the greater good demands, and to find common ground wherever and as often as we can. I still believe, as I said three years ago,
that there is more that unites us than divides us, chief among them our responsibility to do what's right when it matters most.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature
Feb 15, 2022
Ron Johnson:
2020 election was legitimate, but discuss "irregularities"
Johnson has been hard to pin down on the legitimacy of the 2020 election. In Dec. 2020, he called the election legitimate and said that, although he soon planned to hold a Senate hearing on "irregularities," he hadn't seen anything that would change the
fact that Biden won. In early Jan. 2021, though, he complained of "so many irregularities," cited false allegations of tens of thousands of illegal votes in Nevada, and signed on to a joint statement, along with other Republican senators, declaring his
intention to reject certification of "disputed states."Johnson ended up changing his mind and approving certification after the January 6 riot at the Capitol, saying that things were different in light of what had just transpired. Months later,
he was filmed telling an undercover liberal activist that there was "nothing obviously skewed about the results" in Wisconsin and that Trump lost merely because he got tens of thousands fewer votes than Republicans running for the state legislature.
Source: CNN on 2020 Election Denial in 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Sep 15, 2022
Tim Michels:
Trump would be president now if we had election integrity
When Tim Michels was asked by a conservative radio host during the Republican primary in May whether he believes the 2020 election was stolen, Michels said, "Maybe." Michels added that "certainly, there was a lot of bad stuff that happened" and that
there were "certainly illegal ballots."The Journal Sentinel reported that Michels, baselessly said in May: "President Trump probably would be president right now if we had election integrity." At a campaign event in July, Michels said: "My very first
priority is election integrity. Everywhere I go on the campaign trail, people, the media, everybody says, 'Tim, Tim, was the election fixed? Was the election rigged?' I have a lot of questions, as everybody else has questions."
Michels would not
directly say whether he would, as governor, endorse an effort to decertify Biden's 2020 victory in Wisconsin. He said in early August: "I will look at all the evidence and everything will be on the table and I will make the right decision."
Source: CNN on 2020 Election Denial in 2022 Wisconsin Governor race
Sep 9, 2022
Eric Hovde:
We can restore the American Dream by coming together
I feel like the American Dream is slipping away. But it doesn't have to be that way. I believe that we can restore the American Dream by coming together as Americans to solve the problems we face, rebuild our economy,
strengthen our communities, and provide strength internationally. It is only through unity and perseverance that we can restore the American Dream for future generations.
Source: 2024 Wisconsin Senate campaign website EricHovde.com
Feb 29, 2024
Phil Anderson:
Lifelong Wisconsin resident; graduate of UW-Madison
Q: Who are you? Tell us about yourself.A: I am a libertarian, running for Wisconsin State Assembly as a Republican. I am a lifelong Wisconsin resident, a graduate of UW- Madison, and served as a combat medic in the US Army.
I have 2 children, and I'm a real estate broker. I have experience as an entrepreneur, small business owner, and member of bob-profit boards.
Source: Candidate Connection on 2024 Wisconsin Senate race
Nov 1, 2020
Eric Hovde:
We've collapsed patriotism; our country is redeemable
Education: Limit teaching of issues around racism and gender identity?Eric Hovde (R): Yes. "We've collapsed patriotism." "We've told [students] their country is flawed and it's wrong and it's irredeemable. Are you kidding me? We
live in the greatest country in the history of mankind."
Tammy Baldwin (D): No. "We must do better at educating the next generation on the full history of our country." Protect students from bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation.
Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Wisconsin Senate race
Sep 9, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026