Democrat Danielle Johnson and Republican and former lawmaker Rob Kreibich are on the ballot for the Assembly District 28 seat.

Danielle Johnson (D)

Age: 57

Prior elected office(s): None

Community/civic activities: Current St. Croix County Delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. Served 2014-2023 on the Board of Directors of Western Wisconsin Health including Board Chair 2020-2023. Advisory Committee to Northwood Technical College Veterinary Technician Program.

Family: I live with my husband in Erin Prairie. We have two children and three grandchildren with one on the way.

How long have you lived in Wisconsin? We have lived in Wisconsin since 2009.

What do you see as the main issues in Assembly District 28? The top issue is preparing for an anticipated worker shortage as people leave the workforce in greater numbers than people enter it. One component of that problem is the childcare crisis. Families need reliable and affordable childcare and childcare workers need to make a living wage. Affordable housing, clean water and rising property taxes are other important issues voters have talked to me about.

State government expects to close its books in mid-2025 with an available surplus of $3.4 billion. Should that surplus be spent and, if so, how? The most recent number that I have seen is $4.6 billion. We need to have an adequate rainy day fund but beyond that we should either spend the money or give it back to tax payers. I would prioritize increasing school funding because this would feed back to tax payers by way of fewer property tax referendums. I am also in favor of better funding for the Department of Natural Resources.

To control property taxes, there are limits on what local governments and schools can spend. Those limits are causing more local governments to hold referendums asking to raise property taxes. Should spending limits on local governments and schools be loosened? Would you change the school funding formula and how? We clearly need to rework how schools are funded. It is my understanding that there was a Blue Ribbon Commission on school funding that reported their findings about five years ago, but little or no action was taken by the legislature. This seems like a wasted opportunity. For lawmakers to be able to create policy, we need to listen to experts and understand the problem from all angles. I would work with others to arrive at meaningful change that meets our obligation to equitable school funding.

Many families are struggling to find child care in the region and child care centers are struggling to stay open. What's your solution? Because workers are in such demand, many industries, like healthcare, are taking matters into their own hands by starting onsite daycare. Many small businesses are not able to do that. Solutions need to satisfy the needs of child care workers, families and employers. I would work with all stakeholders to look at various options and arrive at the best, most reasonable solution.

Evers and Democratic Atty. Gen. Josh Kaul have called for a “red flag” law allowing judges to order those found to be dangerous to themselves or others to surrender their guns. Could you support a “red flag” law? Very simple answer. Yes.

Where do you stand on the issue of abortion? Please be specific as to when or if you think it should be allowed in all or certain circumstances and why. I am prochoice and as such want to ensure abortion remains safe. I am against government interference in reproductive health care decisions. We know that abortion numbers go down when people are well educated and have access to health care and I support proven ways that make abortion rare. I am in favor of policies that support women and children and against ones that interfere with individual freedom.

Why are you running for office and what can you bring to the table? I am a veterinarian and business owner and as such I am a problem solver. We need people in Madison who are willing to dig deep for understanding, listen to experts and work together to solve the problems that people care about.

How will you work with members of the opposite party to come up with solutions for all your constituents, not just those in your party? The hyper partisanship that we are experiencing at this moment in history is largely manufactured and does not serve us. It serves the rich and powerful. I am dedicated to empowering the people of 28th District by being their voice in Madison. Our new fair maps will allow us to have representation in Madison that more accurately reflects the population of Wisconsin. We are a 50-50 state but that is not what the legislature has looked like for many years. I believe we are at our best when we work together and I carry the hope that the next legislature will move cooperation forward.

Is there anything you would like to add? My core values are honesty and fairness.

Rob Kreibich (R)

Age: 65

Prior elected office(s): WI State Assembly 1992-2007

Community/civic activities: Chamber of Commerce President. New Richmond Rotary. Former member of St Croix EDC board Former member Forward New Richmond board Current member Momentum West board. St Croix Valley Youth Apprenticeship partner.

Family: Father of three adult children

How long have you lived in Wisconsin? My entire life except for first job post college 2.5 years out of state. Grew up in Pierce Co.

What do you see as the main issues in Assembly District 28? Inflation. Taxes. Housing. Labor shortage in certain areas. Intrusive government

State government expects to close its books in mid-2025 with an available surplus of $3.4 billion. Should that surplus be spent and, if so, how? Returned to its rightful owners: taxpayers So they can hope with higher gas ins, food mortgages, housing costs

To control property taxes, there are limits on what local governments and schools can spend. Those limits are causing more local governments to hold referendums asking to raise property taxes. Should spending limits on local governments and schools be loosened? Would you change the school funding formula and how? Keep spending caps in place. Would fight to change antiquated formula that benefits Milwaukee.

Many families are struggling to find child care in the region and child care centers are struggling to stay open. What's your solution? Incentives for more employer based child care. And incentives to start up child care businesses. Regulations have ruined neighborhood child care operators—so cut the red tape. Must make it more affordable and available for families.

Evers and Democratic Atty. Gen. Josh Kaul have called for a “red flag” law allowing judges to order those found to be dangerous to themselves or others to surrender their guns. Could you support a “red flag” law? No. Don’t trust liberal judges. They’ll use this law to take away guns from law abiding folks. We must address mental health and I’ll be proposing a pilot program to deal with the issue.

Where do you stand on the issue of abortion? Please be specific as to when or if you think it should be allowed in all or certain circumstances and why. Pro-life. Recognize we need exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother. I have Trump’s position. Will work to reduce number of abortions and push for adoption as option to abortion.

Why are you running for office and what can you bring to the table? I get results. Have conservative values. Good ideas. I served in state legislature and don’t need on the job training.

How will you work with members of the opposite party to come up with solutions for all your constituents, not just those in your party? On consensus issues like housing and job creation. Unfortunately there are no moderate Democrats left in office.

Is there anything you would like to add? I grew up in Pierce County. I have Pierce County values.