Incumbent Shannon Zim – merman, River Falls, has served as the representative for Wisconsin State Assembly District 30 since 2016. He fac – es challenger Sarah Yacoub of Hudson. State Senate District 30 en- compasses parts of St. Croix County (including the portion of River Falls in that county) the town of Clifton in Pierce. Sarah Yacoub (D)

Age: 38 Education : Bachelor of Science with Honors and Phi Beta Kappa, Biopsychology, University of California San – ta Barbara; Juris Doctorate, SCALE Program, Southwest –

ern Law School

Occupation/ employment experience : Public Interest Attorney: Los Angeles Coun – ty Deputy District Attorney (2008-2014); 2014-current: Founder and attorney at Equal Justice Inc., a 501(c) (3) that provides no-cost le –

gal representation for work – ing families and trauma survivors. Previous work ex – perience: Baskin Robbins, ice cream scooper (2000-2001); legal intern Santa Barbara District Attorney's Ovce (2003-2006); California Piz –

za Kitchen, host and serv er (2001-2005); bartender (2006); law clerk, Los Ange –

les County District Attorney's Ovce (2007-2008)

Political experience:

Congressional intern for Chairman of the House In – telligence Committee, then Congressman, Adam Schiu (2005); Hudson Bridge Group (2020-current)

Community service: I use my law license to provide nocost legal representation as the focus of my community service. Additionally, River Falls Bacon Bash, Feed My Starving Children, Hudson Area Goliath Mobile Pack; Turningpoint sponsorship and event participation.

Family: Husband, Essa Yacoub, PhD, (7) kiddos ages 4-18, of Hudson; parents, Susan Hough, PhD, and Lee Slice, PhD, of River Falls; mother/father-in-law, Vicky and Reda Yacoub of Hudson; brother, Joshua Slice, Disney animator and creator of Lu – cas the Spider; brother, Paul Slice, artist and adult living with special needs. Why are you running for this position? What value would you bring to the table for constituents?

The short answer is that I feel a responsibility to pay my work experience and knowledge forward. Having a front-row seat to barriers to wellness in the commu – nity provides the foundation to legislate public policy that serves the public inter – est. Whether to help grow a strong thriving economy or provide the scauolding to grow independent, respon – sible, fulfilled adults, smart public policy and a legislature that works to solve problems is game-changing. I value the potential for good gov – ernment and public service. The longer answer is as fol – lows: Every election cycle we

have local Republican politi – cians run as Democrats. They claim to support labor, public schools, small businesses, clean water. Once elected, they resume the extreme right-wing agenda of the Ui – hleins, anti-labor agenda of the Koch brothers and an – ti-public school agenda of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. I wasn't going to run for ovce again. 2020 was hard on my family. My oppo – nent and his followers spread really ugly lies about me that were hurtful to our kids. My opponent and his financial backers spent in the ballpark of $1 million spreading lies to try to convince people to hate me. They couldn't run on his record, so the alternative to keep him in ovce was to bash me. With my opponent and his party gerrymander –

ing the districts to try to en – sure wins for themselves, no one in their right mind enters a race that is a Hail Mary at best and where they try to destroy you personally and professionally if you're a threat to them as a candidate. Not surprisingly, no one was going to run against my op – ponent. I couldn't stand by and watch him get handed a fourth term whereby he goes to work roughly 10% of the full-time for which he's paid, supports a law enacted in 1849 to determine women’s access to healthcare; he voted to defund public education in his yes-vote to AB 970 (to re – move income caps for private voucher schools, making tax – payers pay to send rich kids to private school), he voted to raise our property taxes high (AB 970 was projected to raise Wisconsin's proper – ty taxes by $570 million in a single calendar year and de – plete public school funding), and refuses to even discuss common sense gun responsibility laws that most Wisconsinites support to keep our kids safe at school. The fact that he votes and represents his adult son’s district and not the district where he lives, while harping about election and voter fraud, is dishonorable and shameful.

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

The economy and ability for themselves and their fam- ily to live a life that reflects how hard they work. Issues like abortion and legalizing cannabis tie directly to the economy in that smart public policy strengthens the economy, and stupid public policy weakens our economy. A law from 1849 defining rights and access to healthcare and continued cannabis prohibition, for example, are stupid public policy and harmful to our economy. My opponent and his party’s continued war on public education and labor, means that our schools and strong middle class jobs continue to remain limited, leaving young people and young families to go to neighboring states that are more competitive. My opponent and his party’s refusal to allow billions of our tax dollars – currently sitting with the feds – to return to Wisconsin to bring our healthcare system into the 21st century means we continue to suuer the real ity of subpar access to mental health, addiction, dental, and healthcare in general.

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.

Wisconsin is currently sitting on a $5 billion surplus.

I support using portions of that surplus to invest in our schools. I strongly oppose removing the income cap for private voucher schools – a stark contrast with my opponent who voted to do just that – as taxpayers should not be forced to pay to send rich kids to private school. Worse, public schools have to pay out private voucher schools at a rate higher than that which they receive per pupil from the state, meaning we have a resulting deficit which gets paid through higher property taxes.

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

Inflation is a combina tion of a global issue given interruptions to the supply chains that resulted from a global pandemic, the Republican $1.6 trillion handout to millionaire and billionaires, COVID stimulus money needed to keep society on life support during the pandemic, and corporate greed. Because corporate greed accounts for the majority of the drivers for inflation, I'll start there. In April 2010, oil cost $85.66 a barrel and gas was $2.85 a gallon; today, oil costs $85.90 a barrel and gas is $3.85 a gallon. As recently demonstrated by Rep. Katie Porter using research from the Economic Policy Institute during a Congressional committee hearing, over half of increased prices, 54% to be precise, are driven by increases in corporate profit. I support legislation that requires any corporations that receive public tax dollars or tax breaks to pay their fair share and not get to price gouge consumers as is currently occurring. As for the cost of gasoline, we lower the cost of gas by adjusting our placement on the supply/demand curve as price is determined as a function of the intersection of supply and demand. We adjust that placement by diversifying our transportation needs such that we reduce the demand for gasoline. By developing an economy and local community that can support and sustain more electric vehicles, for example, less cars on the road use gasoline and the demand for oil drops. With the drop in demand, comes a drop in price – that which we saw during the pandemic when folks temporarily stopped driving as much. As an Assembly Representative, I strongly support investments in our infrastructure that allow for local and increased access to energy – such as wind and solar. I strongly support investments in infrastructure for everything from our roads to phone and broadband access and the development of commerce connected to superchargers in our district. We are uniquely placed at the Minnesota border as the major thoroughfare to access the rest of the State of Wisconsin, such that we could be a destination point for charging stations and the commerce that follows the need to kill time for 20-25 minutes.

Where do you stand on the abortion issue? Why?

We have long decided that as a civilized society, the government cannot force anyone to donate the use of their body even in the name of saving a life. The best illustrative example is dead people: the government cannot force the donation of organs or use of a decedent’s body even though we know doing so would save a life. Roe v. Wade euectively recognized as much, allowing for protections for the developing baby once that baby no longer relies upon the donation of someone else’s body for his/her survival. The 1849 law currently in euect in Wis consin, one that my opponent supports, is badly written, extreme, and went into euect without one single woman voting for it, as women could not vote in 1849. The fact that my opponent and his party could not even be bothered to hold a hearing to – at the very least – discuss how medicine has changed since 1849, is an ugly reflection on how little they care about a law that affects so many so personally.

With no exceptions for rape and incest and the provision for the life of the mother being so badly written that the law fails to actually protect the life of the mother, the 1849 law is cruel. In addition to being cruel, the 1849 law is bad public policy and hurts our economy. It threatens the accreditation of our medical schools and makes Wisconsin less appealing for young people to attend college – as sexual assault on college campuses is very real – and for young families who need to be able to make decisions for themselves and their families to move to Wisconsin. For example, a family that is pregnant with a baby that will not survive but that technically still has a heartbeat is forced to continue the pregnancy under my opponent and his party’s policy, even where doing so threatens mom’s fertility and their ability to try again for a healthy baby that will survive. My opponent frequently cites impregnating his girlfriend in high school as his reason for choosing government control over freedom and privacy. I think it is great that his then-girlfriend’s choice to have the baby worked out for them and to use their experience to force his choice as a politician onto everyone else is a gross overreach of government control.

I will work to repeal the 1849 law and support changes to the State Constitution that preserve freedom and privacy in Wisconsin.

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?

When Democrats controlled the legislature, nearly 40% of Republican-written legislation got a hearing. Under Republican control of the last 10+ years, less than 1% of Democratic-written legislation gets a hearing. The parties are not the same, as Republican politicians are unapologetic about stomping out the voice of the minority party. What a sad disservice to the community. No one party has a monopoly on good ideas or “the right answer.” Complex problems require complex answers that pull from the ideology underlying both sides of the political aisle. Right now, our partisan diuerences make us weaker from a public policy standpoint. Once elected, I will use my leadership to work across the aisle and lift up good Republican ideas. I will work to build ou of that which we can agree upon to further the interests of the public. Republican legislators also don’t allow their Democratic colleagues to receive credit for their work and will only consider the legislation if a Republican gets credit for it. What a dishonorable and immature practice. Once elected, I will give credit where credit is due and not contribute to playing politics with people’s lives.

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

As a former deputy district attorney and conceal carry holder, I appreciate Wisconsin’s commitment to defending Second Amendment rights. As the granddaughter and owner of my late-grandfather’s .30-06 Winchester rifle, I appreciate our hunting heritage. As a mother of children in school, I appreciate and value keeping weapons of war out of the hands of tragically unstable teenagers.

As someone auected by death by suicide, I value common sense gun laws that provide law enforcement with due process options when someone is in crisis, universal background checks, and waiting periods.

What is your favorite thing about Wisconsin?

I love our family-centered values and that our lives are not so busy that we miss out on the upbringing of our children. I love that we value community, helping one an- other, and while we diuer in approaches to faith, that we generally strive to be good honorable people. I love that we are blessed with bald ea- gles that fly overhead as we drive, beautiful seasons, riv- ers, lakes, and infinite hik ing trails. I love that we are a community that provides diverse options for youth, whether technical college, entering trades through apprenticeships, or the university, we have the potential to grow a strong, well-rounded population that lifts up and rewards people for their God-given strengths. I am very grateful that my husband and I get to raise our children in Wisconsin.

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

Regardless of where you fall this November, if elected, your voice will always be welcome with me. I am not running just to represent those who fund my campaign or even those who like me, that’s not public service. I am running to represent all of the 30th. Echo chambers and yes-men are toxic. I value differing opinions and appreciate people taking the time to share their values, concerns, and needs. While my opponent sent our tax dollars to the southeast corner of the state with Foxconn to make Taiwanese billionaires richer at Wisconsin taxpayers’ expense, toeing the line for his party, I will go to bat for us in the 30th, our kids, our families, our public schools, our economy. If that makes me a one-term legislator, fine, at least I will have helped pave the way for a diuerent ap proach to state politics, one that truly puts the interests of the community first.

Shannon Zimmerman* (R)

Age: 50 Education: Attended Augusta High School, CVTC, UW-Milwaukee

Occupation/employment experience: Chief Revenue Ovcer-Language AI com pany. I have been an entrepreneur and business owner for nearly 25 years in the St Croix Valley. I’ve been blessed to grow multiple businesses, hire hundreds in the area and have the privilege working together on a shared vision of success.

Political experience: Serving third term as a Wisconsin State Representative; member of the Joint Committee on Finance (state budget committee); member Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology Community service: Over the past 20+ years living in River Falls, I have thoroughly enjoyed all the opportunities to get involved locally.

I coached youth football for seven years, served on the football board; coached youth basketball and would go from field to gym as our two boys were very active. Fast for- ward, it fills my heart to see both my sons now coach in River Falls. I’ve also been active with so many in the business community. Various Chamber of Commerce events, I served on the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Board (regional), UW-River Falls Foundation Board, UW-River Falls Chancellor’s Advisory Committee, Rotary and have worked booths serving at local events to picking up garbage after a city celebration.

Family: My family is at the center of my life. My wife Angel and I raised our two boys in River Falls. From Wildcat blue to Falcon red, it has been a wonderful journey.

My sons live and work here.

We have four grandchildren with number five on the way. Taylor, Montee, Addy and Harper Z are wonderful campaign parade walkers, door knockers and Dairy Queen ice cream eaters that make this thing I do more enjoyable. I am blessed. For my wife and I, we both grew up in Wisconsin and come from very humble beginnings. We never let the challenges deter us. We saw the family life we wanted and have spent all our years enjoying it. Instilling a strong sense of purpose and drive in our kids. My grandfather, a 22-year US Army veteran, was one of the most influential people in my life. He shaped me in such a way to be disciplined, motivated and never forget the person in the mirror is the one responsible for any of the good or bad in my life. I miss him still every day.

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

I am running to serve my neighbors for a variety of reasons. First, I am not one to complain about a problem and point at those to blame, instead I want to be part of the solution. This is why I opted to run originally. Government if left unchecked can grow out of control. I am a firm believer that parents and everyday people make the best decisions for their lives and the lives of their families. I will defend the power of the parent and the freedom of the individual. I’m running to restore common sense and apply a conservative business mindset to decisions of government. Be euective, but evcient. My personal journey has taken me from a newspaper route to earn money for my family as a kid to running a global company that my wife and I founded locally. This experience and approach I feel can help now more than ever. The federal government is out of control in reckless spending and borrowing. Grandchild number five that we will soon wel come will be born to a debt assigned already. Inflation should surprise no one; this great nation that I love cannot sustain itself with such reckless practices. I bring common sense and creative solutions. I raised my kids here, my grandkids live here and I have been active for over two decades in the Wisconsin business community. This engaged perspective gives me an ability to represent those in River Falls, Hudson and the surrounding area in a unique way.

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

Inflation and fear over their economic future are dominating the discussion points with neighbors in our area. Government overreach and parents wanting to have greater say and power in the outcome of their children’s education are rapidly rising.

We live in a fantastic part of Wisconsin, we must defend the peace of the place we call home from lawlessness, drugs and the chaos we see in places like California. I back the blue, period. All important topics that I am hearing at doors, but inflation and eco nomic fears are three out of every four people I speak to.

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.

Education is vital to our future workforce and the quality and competitiveness of Wisconsin. Education funding in Wisconsin is administered using a complex formula. Last budget cycle, Wisconsin schools saw an alltime record amount of funding. This funding was also sent to schools that remained closed, which has resulted in taxpayer frustration and poor recent proficiency scores. The "cliu" is a dramatic term used to point to the state paid portion of the education funding.

In the past budget, Wisconsin received billions in borrowed money from the federal government which was used to fund our schools. It was the right thing to do because had that not happened, it would have been spent on other things and our kids were well worth the investment.

Our kids will be on the hook to pay it back decades from now; rather than create one more state program, let’s use it to fund schools. By using the federal funds, the state’s general budget increase did not happen. Schools look to state increases each budget.

By using fed funds, the cliu concern emerged. The reality and candid situation is that Wisconsin is experiencing a decline in student population.

Certain cities and municipalities are seeing it at a more aggressive pace. Should this continue, we must re-imagine the funding formula and consider alternatives to create greater evciency. I've been a supporter of education at all levels and will continue to do so. As an employer, I see the value of a quality education in the workforce, but we also should evaluate new options for evciencies.

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

Leave more of your mon ey in your account. No one is better at spending your money than you. More government borrowing and “free” money only drives up infla tion and weakens this nation.

I cannot undo the decisions made at the federal level.

This has resulted in billions of dollars sitting in the Wisconsin checking account.

Let's deliver it back to you. Consider this, you and your next generation are the hook to pay it back, I trust you will use it better than government.

Economic prosperity is enhanced when all the players are allowed to operate more freely and compete more euectively. Making things tougher on small businesses, taxation and over-regulation hurt us. I have authored bills, voted for and fought against anything that compromises this approach.

Where do you stand on the abortion issue? Why?

This is an emotional topic for so many and rightfully so. It centers on the most important thing to everyone, life. I became a father at 17.

My wife of now 32 years and I looked squarely in the face of fear and uncertainty. We chose life. I am grateful to God every day we did. My sons, their wives and our grandkids all live in the St.

Croix Valley and contribute to our community because of that fateful decision. I do respect and understand those certain circumstances that warrant thoughtful consideration, but just remember there are two people in this decision.

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?

Nearly 90% of all legislation passed last cycle was passed with bipartisan support. That may shock many because if you watch the nightly news or get your information from social media you would think otherwise.

Nearly all of my bills were bipartisan supported. I speculate, if reelected that trend will continue. I care about the result and the outcome. If the idea is good and good for my constituents, I will get behind it and advocate strongly for it, regardless of where it originated.

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

I support the second amendment and am very familiar with numerous variet- ies of firearms. I'm a sports man and enjoy sharing those moments with family in the field. Guns are objects and sadly evil people do evil things. If the object they use to conduct evil is a gun, that same object can be used by a good person to stop them.

Gun safety is important in a gun society, but we must realize that it is the actions of the individual and not the object that requires our attention. There may be no perfect answer or solution, but I do not think compromising our second amendment will stop tragedies.

What is your favorite thing about Wisconsin?

Its people! We work hard, have fun and savor all the things that make life in this state great. We are family and team oriented and that is something special in this crazy world we live in.

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

I love the St. Croix Valley and am invested in it. I am blessed and honored to represent your interests with a common sense that comes from a lifetime living in Wisconsin. Your future is my future here and I will work tirelessly to make sure it is a good one. I thank you for your consideration.

Shannon Zimmerman