In Wisconsin Senate District 31, two small business owners, Dave Estenson and Jeu Smith, face ou for the seat held by incumbent Smith since 2019.

The district comprises all of Buualo and Pepin counties, most of Pierce and Trempea leau counties, western Eau Claire County, western Jack –

son County and part of south –

ern Dunn County.

Dave Estenson (R)

Age: 44 Education: Graduated from Whitehall High School in 1996; graduated from Chip –

pewa Valley Technical Col –

lege in 2002 with an Associ – ate's Degree in Police Science (Criminal Justice).

Occupation/ employment experience: I grew up milking cows on a local dairy farm. Af – ter high school, I rode bulls for a few years before attending Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire. After graduating, I worked 12 years in law enforcement as both a police ovcer and deputy sher – iu, and spent 10 of those years as a DARE/School Resource ovcer. For the past 10 years and currently, I own and oper – ate a small trucking company employing up to five truckers at a time.

Political experience: I am currently a member of the Whitehall School Board of Education and have been on the board for the past year and a half. Community service: I have been involved with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) of Trempealeau County since its founding. SHP is non-profit that builds and donates beds to children in our communi – ty that don't have one. I have built and delivered numerous beds for kids in Trempealeau, Jackson and Eau Claire coun – ties. No child sleeps on the floor in our community!

Family: I have been mar – ried to my wife, Christina, for 13 years and we have two daughters. I also have two stepsons and two grandchil dren.

Why are you running for this position? What value would you bring to the table for constituents?

I chose to run for the 31

st

Senate District because I got tired of saying "someone needs to fix the issues that are harming the folks of western Wisconsin." As a father, I first became interested in helping improve our schools by joining the Whitehall School Board. Now, as a business owner and former law enforcement ov – cer, I know there is much more to be fixed and I'm headed to Madison to do exactly that! I have a valuable and unique perspective on the many chal – lenges that face this area, and I have a true desire to improve things in the 31

st Senate Dis- trict. Throughout my life, I've accumulated valuable experi – ences in both the public and private sector. Whether I was working as a farmhand on a lo – cal farm or struggling to build my own business, I've had to deal with strained budgets and real-world problem solving. I know the divculties our law enforcement ovcers face, and I understand the hardships our families undergo when trying to put food on the table with skyrocketing prices and infla tion.

What do you feel is the most important issue to your constituents?

The rising cost of living. Regardless of where I go, ev – eryone is facing challenges due to the increased cost of goods and services, groceries, gas, you name it. The people of western Wisconsin shouldn't have to decide between filling up their car to go to work and putting food on the table for their family. Families need re – lief. I will work to lower taxes and cut reckless government spending. You need to keep more of your hard-earned dol lars.

How do you propose to address funding for public education? Local districts are claiming they are fac- ing a "financial cliu" due to being forced to use ESSER funds for operational costs.

Having talked to a number of school administrators who are extremely concerned about the financial cliu their schools will be facing in the future due to the ESSER funding, and as a concerned school board member myself, one of my big priorities as Senator will be to take a very detailed look at the current school funding plans for the state that are in place and see where changes can be made for the betterment of our school districts. Tell us how you would ad- dress inflation concerns and bring economic prosperity to your constituents.

Ending the state income tax would go a long way towards helping people combat infla – tion, as it would allow them to keep more of their hardearned income, rather than wasteful spending of it at the state level. Along with that, I truly believe a rising tide lifts all boats, so we need to reduce over-burdensome regulations on businesses to create an en- vironment that allows all to prosper. Where do you stand on the abortion issue? Why?

I am pro-life. Regarding legislation relating to abortion, Wisconsin’s 1849 law is near- ly 200 years old; I would take a closer look at the specifics on how this language translates to modern-day medical practic –

es. My primary focus, howev –

er, is increased support for ex – pecting and new mothers. I'd like to extend postpartum care coverage, and work to make childcare more accessible and auordable. Similarly, I would take a look at current adoption laws, as the extreme amount of red tape often prevents folks from pursuing this option. How will you work with colleagues of the opposite party for the good of your constituents? How can compromises be made so legislation that helps Wisconsinites can move forward?

I truly believe a good idea can come from anyone, re –

gardless of their political af – filiation. I am willing to listen to, and work with, people on both sides of the aisle that are interested in responsible and euective solutions to issues that face the people of western Wisconsin.

Where do you stand on gun control/Second Amendment rights?

I am a firm defender of the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, as laid out in both the United States Con –

stitution and in the Wiscon sin State Constitution. I was a strong supporter and leader

in the euort to make Trempea –

leau County a Second Amend – ment Sanctuary, and as the next senator of the 31

st Senate District, I will fight any legis – lation that is written with the purpose of reducing the rights of our citizens. What is your favorite thing about Wisconsin?

My favorite thing about this amazing state is the tru – ly unique outdoor experience in Wisconsin. We have such a wide array of diuerent en – vironments, from bluus to rolling hills, to flatlands and prairies, all accentuated by the numerous lakes and rivers of every size. And on the land and in the water are an abun – dance of creatures large and small that give real life to our landscapes. Throughout my life, I've been to 48 states in the US, and none can beat the beauty of Wisconsin!

Is there anything else voters should know about you that would help in their decision- making process?

When I am elected, I plan to work harder than anyone else to represent the people of the 31

st Senate District and en- sure that western Wisconsin is given the ability to thrive and prosper. I will work harder so our communities can get the funding they need for road re – pairs and emergency services. I will work harder so that businesses never have to face forced shutdowns as we saw in 2020 and I will work harder to bring commonsense back to Madison.

Je Smith* (D)

Age: 67 Education: Eau Claire public schools graduate

Occupation/ employment experience: 35 years as small businessman, currently State Senator

Political experience: Brunswick Town Chair 2001-2007, Wisconsin State Assembly 2007-2011, Wis consin State Senator 2019 to present.

Community service: PTA leader in the school district, region and state. Served on school referendum commit –

tees, county committees re – garding small business, a 4H leader and fair assistant, pres – ident of the Valley Gospel Choir, served on the board of the Eau Claire Family Re – source Center, served on the board for the Stand in the Light memory choir. Family: Wife Sue and two daughters

Why are you running for this position? What value would you bring to the table for constituents?

It is critical that we hold this seat to preserve the pro – tection of the Governor's veto which, in turn, protects Wis –

consin from a lot of bad leg – islation. I initially ran for the Assembly and won that seat 16 years ago on the premise that the funding formula for public schools is inadequate and broken and that we need campaign finance reform to protect our democracy. After losing that seat in the 2010 wave that brought us the dangerous Republican ma – jority we have now, I turned to organizing to protect our water, our rights and health – care access. Even before I ran for the legislature, I was a community leader in edu – cation, the environment and chairperson of my Town of Brunswick all while running my growing window clean – ing business and raising two daughters with my wife Sue. I believe the most euective government is closest to home and must be preserved but also realized that if I was to have an impact I needed to be in Madison where policy is written and adopted that af – fects all of us on a daily basis. I am driven by common sense family values. I believe that we have a moral obligation to look out for each other and do right by our communities and families. Those in leadership positions have an even great – er responsibility to protect and serve the most vulner – able. I will always stand up to anyone using their power to intimidate and bully and will never take advantage of the trust our community has placed in me.

What do you feel is the most important issue to your constituents?

The most pressing issues for our constituents that we hear about when we are on the doors and in the commu – nity are strong public schools and educational opportuni – ties for all, abortion rights, helping middle class families make ends meet, and clean water. People want communi –

ties where they can have op –

portunities and thrive for gen – erations to come, roads they can drive on, good schools, access to auordable health care and services.

How do you propose to address funding for public education? Local districts are claiming they are fac- ing a "financial cliu" due to being forced to use ESSER funds for operational costs.

As a parent advocate, PTA president, and now a state lawmaker my commitment to education hasn't wavered. Parents, students, and teach – ers deserve more support from the state and should not have to rely on referendums for their rural district to sur – vive. The school funding formula is broken and rural districts are further harmed by the voucher program that diverts tax dollars to unac – countable private schools. We should abandon this for –

mula that is based on proper – ty values and enrollment and adopt a more equitable way to fund our schools. We also must quit handcuvng our school boards, who are elect – ed to determine the needs of their own district, by lifting the revenue limits and add – ing more unfunded mandates that burden our teachers and the entire system. Once our kids graduate, we should also make sure they have oppor – tunities to succeed right here in Wisconsin by supporting our UW campuses and ensur – ing access to apprenticeship programs through technical colleges and professional unions.

Tell us how you would ad- dress inflation concerns and bring economic prosperity to your constituents.

As a former small business owner, I understand the chal –

lenges entrepreneurs face try – ing to keep their businesses afloat while supporting their family. As State Senator, I have worked with the busi – ness community to develop solutions to issues like broad – band access and auordable childcare while voting for the largest tax cut in Wisconsin history. These are important investments to retain and at- tract young workers. Expand –

ing access to high speed inter – net in every home, business, and farm is essential. Nobody is connected until everyone is connected, and access from anywhere means a more flex – ible workforce and access to new potential employees and customers.

Where do you stand on the abortion issue? Why?

There's no question: we must fully repeal the felony abortion ban. It is not right that the government can control women's health care under a law passed over 70 years before any women had the right to vote. Unfortunate – ly, Republican leadership has chosen to maintain govern –

ment control over reproduc –

tive health care and has ig – nored the will of the people. We should reintroduce Gov. Tony Evers' proposal that puts more power directly in the hands of voters so they could vote on future binding referenda to change extreme laws like the abortion ban. The people of Wisconsin must be listened to.

How will you work with colleagues of the opposite party for the good of your constituents? How can compromises be made so legislation that helps Wisconsinites can move forward?

I believe one of the most important skills an euective legislator can have is the abil – ity to build relationships with colleagues no matter what party avliation they have. Good government is based on hearing all sides and building relationships and working across the aisle for the better –

ment of our district and west – ern Wisconsin and passing legislation that reflects the needs of all our constituents, advocate for the changes we need to have healthy and safe communities where we all can thrive, and move Wiscon – sin forward which is what we are all trying to do as repre sentatives in Madison.

Where do you stand on gun control/Second Amendment rights?

I believe in common sense gun safety legislation, train – ing and education because we all want to keep our families safe and continue to celebrate the culture of recreation and sport that is prevalent in our region. That's why we ad – vocate for policies that are proven to reduce gun vio – lence, protect children, and make our communities safer. This is about preventing gun violence in all its forms, and encouraging gun safety and responsible gun ownership and education.

What is your favorite thing about Wisconsin?

We are so fortunate to live where we live with the amaz – ing natural resources. To tour western Wisconsin, especially through the driftless region, is spectacular in its views. Is there anything else voters should know about you that would help in their decision- making process?

Politics are broken and I'm not alone in being con –

cerned with how the rheto –

ric has driven a wedge be – tween friends, family and any chance to compromise or un – derstand another view. I can't just walk away knowing that our democracy is on the prec – ipice of falling apart while selfish interests control our policy decisions. The legacy of each of us is at stake. What will we leave behind for our children and their children? We need to get politics out of the way and reprioritize the needs of the people we serve. Auordable housing for those who struggle to make ends meet, access to health – care for everyone without bankrupting anyone, fully funding our public schools properly among many other issues that auect the people I talk to every day. But, while we can make mistakes with many policies we can usually fix them eventually, we can – not continue to play politics with climate change. If we don't address this now we may leave behind such a mess that there will be no fixing the damage.

Jeff Smith