Candidate Survey Questions here
Wisconsin State Assembly responses
updated 10-26-18
District 1
- Joel Kitchens, Rep – incumbent
- uncontested – no challenger
District 5
- Matt Lederer, Dem
- Jim Steineke, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 22
- Aaron Matteson, Dem
- Janel Brandtjen, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 23
- Liz Sumner, Dem
- Jim Ott, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 25
- Jennifer Estrada, Dem
- Paul Tittl, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 27
- Nanette Bulebosh, Dem
- Tyler Vorpagel, incumbent (no response to date)
District 28
- Kim Butler, Dem
- Gae Magnafici, Rep (no response to date)
District 29
- John Rocco Calabrese, Dem
- Rob Stafsholt, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
- Brian Corriea, Lib (no response to date)
District 30
- Barry Hammarback, Dem
- Shannon Zimmerman, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 31
- Brittany Keyes, Dem
- Amy Loudenbeck, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 34
- Chris Meier, Dem
- Rob Swearingen, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 39
- Elisha Barudin, Dem
- Mark L. Born, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 44
- Debra Kolste, Dem – incumbent
- uncontested – no challenger
District 48
- Melissa Sargent, Dem – incumbent
- uncontested – no challenger
District 50
- Art Shrader, Dem
- Tony Kurtz, Rep (no response to date)
District 51
- Jeff Wright, Dem
- Todd Novak, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 53
- Joe Lavrenz, Dem
- Michael Schraa, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 55
- Schierl, Daniel, Dem (no response to date)
- Mike Rohrkaste, Rep – incumbent
District 59
- uncontested – no challenger
- Timothy Ramthun, Rep
District 67
- Wren Keturi, Dem
- Rob Summerfield, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 71
- Katrina Shankland, Dem – incumbent
- uncontested – no challenger
District 75
- Ali Holzman, Dem
- Romaine Quinn, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 81
- Dave Considine, Dem – incumbent
- uncontested – no challenger
District 86
- Nancy Stencil, Dem
- John Spiros, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 87
- Elizabeth Riley, Dem
- James Edming, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 89
- Ken Holdorf, Dem
- John Nygren, Rep – incumbent (no response to date)
District 91
- Jodi Emerson, Dem
- Echo Reardon, Rep (no response)
District 93
- Charlene (Charlie) Warner, Dem
- Warren Petryk, Rep – incumbent
District 94
- Steve Doyle, Dem – incumbent
- Albert Rohland, Rep (no response)
District 1
Q1 – Joel Kitchens joelkitchens1@gmail.com
Comments::
- Living in Door County, the arts are an integral part of our tourism and contribute greatly to our economy. I work with our local arts community and continually look for ways to expand the reach in our area.
Comments: As a former school board president and current vice-chairman of the Committee on Education, I appreciate the importance of the arts in education.
- Yes
Comments: Not only do the creative arts bring direct value to our state, but they help to create a culturally-vibrant state that attracts businesses and a workforce interested in its community. This bipartisan initiative has my support.
- strongly agree
Comments: With two young children in the public school system, I have seen the value that arts education brings to them in terms of creative thinking and self-expression. Our public schools should provide ample opportunities for their students to participate in art and music, to provide them with a well-rounded education.
As a stay-at-home dad, my daughters and I often work on art projects together. They love painting, drawing, working with clay, singing, and expressing themselves in many other artistic ways. I see firsthand how important these experiences are for their development on a daily basis. On a larger level, the arts are a very important part of the Fox Valley community. A large mural in Kaukauna serves as a point of public pride, and summer art and music festivals bring opportunities for people to come together, and enjoy not only the creative arts but also a shared sense of community. The impact of these events is overwhelmingly positive, economically, culturally, and socially.
- Yes
- Yes
Comments: Arts are the foundation of economic innovations through creativity. We can’t just train technicians. Are has a value to the human spirit.
Comments: True art sparks the imagination and invigorates our humanity.
- Yes
- strongly agree
It has a huge impact. As a mother of two, I’m consistently engaging my kids in arts and crafts throughout our community. I look forward to them getting more involved as they get older and want them to have multiple outlets for creativity in their life.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- strongly agree
I am a mother of five children and four of the five play instruments and are involved in art programs at their schools. It is an honor as a mother to watch them grow and thrive and have an outlet. I myself have presented multiple times at the John Michael Kohler arts center with Voces de la Frontera banners we made representing the struggles of the latinx community.
- Yes
- Yes
Comments: One of the major reasons i decided to run was i was tired of the legislators pockets coming up empty only when it came to our children’s education and enriching their experience.
Q1 – Nanette Bulebosh nanetteforassembly@gmail.com
- Yes
Comments: Sounds very promising.
- strongly agree
Comments: Have long been a proponent of the arts in our schools, starting from a young age. I understand the relationship between studying music and higher math skills, for example. Beyond that, the arts simply provide a richer experience for students. They are the exciting and fun part of learning.
I was lucky to be introduced to theater at a young age, and I have never stopped being involved. I’ve acted on stage, worked behind the scenes, directed, taught drama to high school and college students and have written four short plays. I love music and dance, and I have recently become involved in Sheboygan Visual Artists, although I am not yet an official member. I happen to live not far from the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. My children studied at their pre school. I have volunteered, and an a long-time member.
- Yes
- Yes
Comments: I would love to meet with your representatives after I am elected. Let’s talk about funding the arts throughout the state, especially in the hurting rural communities.
- Yes
- strongly agree
Comments: I am liberal arts major, a former television producer for a PBS family science show, a Former Destination Imagination Coach and Girl Scout troop leader. I think creativity and creative problem solving are key skills for our youth. I know these abilities continue to serve me well as a candidate, volunteer, etc.
I think the arts, cultural events and creativity make us fully human, enhance our empathy and understanding of others. I have been bringing my kids to museums, from the Franconia Sculpture Park and the Walker Art Center across the river when my son was a toddler, to museums in every city we travel to. My daughter is an artist, and both kids enjoy theater, music, writing and reading. I still enjoy my daughters concerts at school and her piano recitals. I made an effort to expose my Girl Scouts to theater and museums. I see how vibrant small towns and cities that offer arts and cultural opportunities are. I want to foster that growth in my district.
- Yes
District 29
Q1 – John Rocco Calabrese jrcalabrese@gmail.com
- Yes
Comments: All of the arts are integral parts of a thriving community and a well rounded life. For far too long they have been pushed aside and sacrificed at the altar of business growth and hyper capitalism. This must change.
- strongly agree
Comments::
- Some of my greatest memories, and longest lasting friendships came from my participation in arts and music in grade and high school. The arts help to expand our minds and perspectives beyond the class room and the area where we live.
The arts play a very large part in my family. My wife is a musician and performer who has had roles in many productions in and around the Twin Cities. She plays her music throughout the year and we have multiple acquaintances involved in a myriad of artistic endeavors. I also sing and play the piano a bit. Both our young boys are taking up instruments as well. As we teach our children, the arts and music are given the same consideration if not more than the STEM programs.
- Yes
- No
Comments: The one group/PAC/conduit that I would be proudest to receive contributions from would likely be yours. Alas, our campaign is taking a strict stance against those types of donations. We are only taking individual donations no more than $200 at a time. This stance has nothing to do with the good work your group and several other groups do. It has to do with the corrupting influence of money that has strangled our political system and gravely wounded our democracy. I believe a State Assembly race is the perfect sized race to push the message of small dollar campaigns, (until we can achieve public financing of elections) I can’t make my anti-corruption point as strongly if we accept money from conduits even those I wholeheartedly agree with. However, we do accept personal donations from any individual who is so inclined. calabreseforwisconsin.com Thanks so much for understanding, and for all the work you do. If we are lucky enough to win, the arts will have a renewed seat at the table in the 29th Assembly district.
- Yes
Comments: It is vital to support the arts and foster creativity.
- strongly agree
Comments: We must increase educational funding at every level, and this funding must include the arts.
My wife operates an art and picture framing shop in River Falls. Her mother was a locally recognized landscape artist. All my children enjoy and participate in the theater arts. I enjoy music.
- Yes
- Yes
Comments: The dissemination of the promotion of arts needs champions and money. I am honored to support the cause of arts in Wisconsin.
District 31
- Yes
- strongly agree
My husband was an art minor and very talented with drawing and painting. We have taken community based drawing classes together. We support local artists by frequenting local art galleries and supporting them as we can. We love music, attending small concerts in the park to larger ones of more well known artists. Music is a medium for us to bond, connect, recover, and unwind. We need to continue to make these types of opportunities available to all of our children as well as everyone in our communities.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- strongly agree
The arts have played a significant role in my personal and professional life. I love music, sculpture, literature, drama, and film. The arts and creative industries enrich our communities across the 34th Assembly. They enhance our quality of life. To quote singer/song-writer John Gorka, “If we can not make a good noise, tell me what ya doin’ here!”
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Comments: I grew up in Chicago, IL and Brooklyn, NY. I was enrolled in fine arts through magnet program in public school. I understand and have lived the value of fine arts mixed with strong core curriculum.
- strongly agree
Comments: This past summer, I helped organize a Save The Arts group because our School Board wants to cut classes at the Beaver Dam Middle School which would limit the number of art, music and language classes students are allowed in 7th and 8th grade. Due to our strong organized effort, the school board delayed their vote until February 2019. They are claiming longer core classes will help students achieve higher test scores but we have many testimonials to the contrary. We will have to convince them again before their next vote. But we feel strongly this would have a detrimental impact on many students is passed.
I have been a leader for the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater and served in various roles from their Production Committee, acting & I have been the children’s director for the past 2 summers. I have helped fundraising for a new Fine Arts Center and we are proud to be opening by next year.
- Yes
- Yes
Comments: I would also LOVE partnering with your organization in trying to stop the School Board in Beaver Dam from limited fine arts! We have a large group of parents and students organized! But I think if we are able to bring in your data and expert help- we may have a better chance! I am also working with the Teachers Union and have the WEAC endorsement. Thanks!
- Yes
- agree
Comments: Funding has to accompany policy. No unfunded mandates.
We love all arts esp. the performing arts. I sit on the Janesville Performing Arts Center board.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- strongly agree
Art is and always has been an important and positive part of my life – as a child, an adult, and a parent – participating in and enjoying the arts plays an vital role in who I am. Art brings people together – it adds strength to our community – it encourages growth – it empowers and gives voice to those who feel voiceless.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Comments: Growing in rural Wisconsin, I recall being told once that the only culture we had here was agriculture. I am very happy to say that this has changed, but much is yet to be done. I fully support the establishment of Wisconsin Creates, creativity is not merely the domain of silicon valley and the more we can expose our society to all aspects of the humanities, the better we will be for it.
- strongly agree
Comments: I fully agree with this concept. Young minds in particular need exposure to a broad spectrum of learning opportunities to develop the ability to think, reason, empathize; all of which make for a stronger more diverse society.
I have no formal training, nor can I profess to understand in an academic way the various forms formal art. However, I find myself in awe at the ability of others to create…I have rarely been disappointed with this, and seek out the creative creations of others.
- Yes
- Yes
District 51
Comments: The arts have been a central part of my life. I am proud to live in a region that recognizes the quality of life and economic value of the arts. Communities like Spring Green, Mineral Point, and Monroe are defined in part by their creative economies. Beyond this, my brother (Greg Wright) is the Executive Director of CREATE Portage County in Stevens Point and consistently teaches me how important a creative economy is to making a community an attractive place for new residents and a better place for those who already reside there. I support efforts to grow Wisconsin’s investment in its creative economy.
Comments: The work of my life has been in public education. For 21 years I have taught and led in public schools and they have all had strong arts programs that benefit all students. The power of this investment should not be underestimated.
- Yes
Comments: I would want to learn more about this program but support for the arts is something that has been lacking and I feel like it would be a great step in the right direction to help with funding for the arts and other cultural projects.
- strongly agree
Comments: For all of the reasons above, I agree with helping make available and encouraging students to express their creativity.
I’ve never really been artistic or musically inclined but I have always enjoyed storytelling in video games and creating campaigns for Dungeons and Dragons or other pen and paper role playing games.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- strongly agree
Comments: My son Jakob benefitted from a public charter high school (Appleton West) that focused on the arts, his interest was musical theater. He is now pursuing his BFA in Musical Theater at UW Stevens Point.
See above, we also purchase season tickets at Appleton’s Performing Arts Center.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- strongly agree
Comments: Respective program assessment(s) must occur to ensure any funding, especially additional, is going where it needs to and that it provides a measurable value to the student(s).
Stimulation of brain, focus is enhanced, helps with priority setting and keeping the mind from wandering/getting into trouble.
- Yes
- Yes
Comments: I do not support asking for endorsements or donations so that ensure my focus and efforts are for the people, not special interests that intend to influence voting. I do however understand the importance of answering this question as ‘yes’. Please know that it is conditional based on your process, intent, and any expectations you may have…
District 67
Comments: From local art fairs to established galleries or tours like ‘Hidden Studios’, Wisconsin’s creative industries bring aspects of diversity and vibrancy to our overall economy that don’t only make it more resilient, but generate an environment of creativity that spreads, influences and benefits many of the spaces that I would call ‘arts adjacent’. My husband, a carpenter, is evidence of this fact. Rather than simply framing walls and taping drywall, he has been able to grow his business and expand his craft because of the recognition and value of art. It has allowed him to build custom, one-of-a-kind furniture and brought him work in remodeling spaces with beauty and depth and historical accuracy. This is not because the economy is booming and people can afford such things, but rather because we live in a society that still places value on them.
Comments: To this day, I engage in the creative process of oil-based painting that I studied in high school. Cuts in funding to our public schools has put increasing pressure on administrators to cut such programming. Our kids are worse off for it and, over time, this lack of emphasis on the arts is reflected in our society and culture at large.
- Yes
Comments: I’m proud to be a cosponsor of this bill and look forward to continue advocating for its passage. The Stevens Point area, which I represent, would greatly benefit from Wisconsin Creates and has a vibrant creative economy that should continue to be invested in.
- strongly agree
Comments::
- I’ve been deeply concerned by the move away from the arts in our public schools, colleges, and universities. STEAM is incredibly important, and without the arts, our students are not being given the opportunities they deserve to participate in our growing creative economy.
I was lucky enough as a kid to have parents who understood my proclivity to music. I received piano lessons in elementary school and participated in several music camps for the clarinet. There I was told to take clarinet lessons at UWSP, and my mom drove me each week to Stevens Point from Wittenberg to become better trained in the clarinet. I learned firsthand the importance of the Wisconsin Idea. I still play the clarinet and recently held a fundraiser for the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, where my former clarinet instructor and I played duets! I also play guitar, write music, and sing, and I love to attend the fall musicals my sister, a high school drama teacher, puts on each year. I’m lucky to have music, theater, and the arts in my life and love Stevens Point for giving me the opportunities to attend incredible shows and see beautiful art downtown.
- Yes
- Yes
District 75
- Yes
- strongly agree
We are a strong arts family. My boyfriend has a pottery business and creative writing blog. His son wants to be an actor and photographer. My father is Music Director at a Lutheran church and he is teaching my daughter piano. We all love music.
- Yes
- Yes
District 81
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