Incumbent Warren Petryk, who started his term as District 93 State Assembly representative in January 2011, is facing challenger Alison H. Page, a retired health care administrator and University of Minnesota faculty member.

Assembly District 93 is comprised of all of Pepin County, most of Pierce (minus town of Clifton), and parts of western Eau Claire County, southern Dunn County and northwest Buualo County.

Alison H. Page (D)

Age: 66 Residence: River Falls Education: Graduate of River Falls High School; Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Marquette University; Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and a Master of Science (MS) degree, both from the University of Minnesota

Occupation/experience:

I have worked in healthcare my entire life, starting as a registered nurse. For the past 26 years, I have worked in healthcare administration. In February, I retired from Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin, where I served as CEO for the past 13 years – WWH employs about 400 people and has an annual revenue between $50 and $60 million. Currently, I am on faculty at the University of Minnesota where I teach leadership in the Master of Healthcare Administration program.

Political experience: River Falls Board of Education for 15 years, serving as chair for most of those years and participated on all committees; candidate in 2008 for State Senate Community service: I have served on many boards of directors in addition to the River Falls School Board, including the Workforce Development Board of Western Wisconsin, as well as the boards of the Family Resource Center of St. Croix Valley, the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust, and Adoray Home Health and Hospice.

Family: I am a lifelong resident of River Falls; the sixth of Paul and Lydia Haskins’ nine children. My spouse, Da- vid, and I have five adult chil dren and seven grandchildren.

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

I love our state and the people of western Wisconsin and want to do what I can to ensure a bright future for both. As a lifelong resident of the region, parent, and business owner, I have a feel for the needs of our families and communities. I will take the problem-solving skills learned and used providing leadership in healthcare organizations, our business, and volunteer boards to Madison to address the issues facing our state and plan for its future.

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

When I ask people what their top priority or concern is this election season, the most common answer is “Everything.” People are concerned about inflation and the econ omy, but they are also deeply concerned about the health and safety of our communities, education, healthcare, reproductive freedom, the environment, and the state of our democracy. Of those, the state of our democracy and the integrity of the election process is an overarching concern. Fair maps should be a given in our state. Voting should be easy and secure. Our candidates should be expected to engage in the democratic process by participating in forums and honestly sharing their opinions on the issues. Once elected, representatives should collaborate with all other elected ovcials to surface the best ideas and get things done. We need to demand the democracy we want for our children. I will work to ensure a fair and safe election process for Wisconsin.

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 an essential element of a strong economy. To ensure a strong workforce for the future, our K-12 education system must be exceptional.

Access to technical colleges and universities must be affordable. Together, we provide funds to support this investment in our future workforce.

In 2022, the annual cost of educating each K-12 student in Wisconsin was $12,285, a few hundred dollars lower than the national average. So, how should we fund this investment? Right now, about twothirds of the funding comes from state taxes and one-third from local property taxes. I will consider all options for funding education and options for redesigning education to adapt to the changing needs of students and society. The "fi – nancial cliu" school districts are facing is very real due to the legislature using federal COVID funds to supplant normal budget increases. The state legislature needs to work with the governor to resolve this issue and ensure schools are adequately funded going forward.

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

Wisconsinites are feeling the impact of inflation caused, in large part, by international and national circumstances that we cannot control from Madison. But there are things we can do at the state level to help families now and build resilience in our economy for the future. Right now, we can take action to help families with the cost of fuel and food, the two expenses that are blowing everyone’s budget.

For the long-run, we need to produce the essentials needed by Wisconsinites in Wisconsin again – food and energy.

We should attract and support good businesses that provide wages workers can live on.

Over time, we can help families make the move to sustainable energy sources for their homes and vehicles, lowering their monthly expenses. We can “wire Wisconsin,” so businesses and workers can work evciently. And we must spend tax dollars wisely and eliminate wasteful spending in government to keep more dollars in the pockets of the people.

Where do you stand on abortion? Why?

I feel abortion should be legal. And, I understand and respect the objections that some have. The decision to end a pregnancy is deeply personal and should be held by the woman in consultation with whomever she chooses.

Limiting abortion to victims of rape or incest is impractical; victims frequently do not or cannot come forward. We need to consider what time restrictions on abortion are necessary; women who choose abortion generally do so very early in pregnancy; currently, 93% of abortions occur before 13 weeks and the 1% after 21 weeks are typically due to serious health issues. In 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided by the Supreme Court, abortion was illegal in 30 states and legal in 20 states. In the decision, which legalized abortion in all states, the court divided pregnancy into three trimesters, and during the first trimester, a woman had the unfettered, autonomous right to decide whether to terminate the pregnancy. But in the second trimester, the court reasoned that the government could regulate abortion procedures so long as it didn’t ban abortions entirely. And then in the third trimester, when a fetus might be viable, the court said that states could ban abortion so long as there was a carve-out if the woman’s health was in grave danger.

The vast majority of Americans support the parameters established by the Supreme Court in 1973. Abortion is a personal medical decision and should be safe, legal and accessible.

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?

My goal is to bring professionalism and civility to our state government. My entire professional career, and much of my community service work, has involved bringing people who do not necessarily agree with each other together to make decisions. There is always a way to collaborate with people with whom we do not agree. I will work with all elected representatives, key stakeholders, and constituents to surface and consider the best ideas for our state.

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

The Constitution ensures the right of the people to keep and bear arms, which I support. It does not prohibit regu- lation of firearms. We all want safe and healthy communities for our families. I support a multiprong approach to addressing community safety.

In addition to gun control, we must address the root causes of violence, which are mainly societal, including poverty, increasingly stressed families, and fragmentation in our overall sense of community. To address these issues, we need policies that support families and community infrastructure to strengthen the sense of belonging in our society. Additionally, we must focus on mental health, especially of our children and the families in which they live. Specific to gun control, I will support control measures that respect lawful gun ownership and keep guns out of the hands of those who would do harm.

Everytown for Gun Safety (everytown.org) outlines common sense, evidence-based solutions to gun violence that should be on the table for consideration in Wisconsin.

What is your favorite thing about Wisconsin?

My favorite thing about Wisconsin is the people and our culture of caring and community. We strive to be a healthy, wholesome place to raise a family. I love our state motto, FORWARD. It says it all. We are a state that looks forward and imagines a future that will meet the needs of generations to come.

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

I do not sign pledges guaranteeing how I will vote on specific issues if elected, as I believe decisions should be made with the benefit of complete information and a full understanding of all perspectives. There is one pledge I have signed and that is the Pro-Truth Pledge (protruthpledge. org) which states I will share truth, honor truth and encourage truth.

Warren Petryk* (R)

Age: 67 Residence: Eleva Education: 1973 valedictorian at Boyceville High School; 1978 summa cum laude, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, UW-Eau Claire Occupation/experience:

48-year co-owner of “The Memories” entertainment group; 15 years Community Relations at United Cerebral Palsy West Central WI Political experience: Currently serve as the Assemblyman to the 93rd Assembly District; Chairman of the Assembly Workforce Development Committee; member of the Colleges and Universities, Substance Abuse and Prevention, Trade and Supply Chain, and Veterans and Military Auairs Committees, among others. Also, member of the Legislative Council Study Committee on Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities Community service:

Member of various chambers of commerce in the area; Eau Galle-Rush River, Ellsworth, Durand, Rock Falls and Arkansaw Sportsmen’s Clubs; Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Cleghorn Lions Club, Chippewa Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America (board of directors) Family: Wife Jane and we have three grandchildren

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

As a business owner for over 50 years, I know and understand the importance of strong and smart fiscal man – agement of our state finances. We need to continue investing in the priorities that will help people find and keep their next career while continuing to make sure our businesses and workers have the tools they need to succeed in a globally competitive economy. That is why my work continues to be recognized by business and trade groups over the years, and why I am respected by both sides of the aisle and continue to author numerous bipartisan bills like licensing reform to help western Wisconsin. My campaign pledge remains this: I will continue working diligently on budgets that reduce spending and unnecessary regulations rather than raise burdensome taxes and rules on hard-working families and business owners.

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

We need to continue to support our economy and pass common sense budgets in Wisconsin, unlike the policies that we are seeing from DC that are causing out-of- control inflation. Since I've been elected, the state has reduced the tax burden of our state’s citizens by nearly $22 billion. This is money that is remaining in the pockets of everyday families who know best how to use their hardearned dollars, not Madison.

We need to also continue to invest in our public safety by keeping violent criminals behind bars, by funding public safety to get more ovcers on the streets, and by keeping firearms out the hands of fel ons.

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.

I have and will continue to invest in our local schools and in our children’s future to give them the best chance for success. That is why I voted to provide $700 million in new money for our K-12 schools this session, which is a third of every dollar the state collects while also securing the $2.6 billion in onetime federal education funding. We also need to continue to prepare our students for the future by supporting and expanding programs to give students the skills they need after school, like advocating for our youth apprenticeship programs, which have been extremely successful in our area.

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

I know what it is like to sit down each month and pay the bills for our household. Because of policies out of DC, whether it’s at home or at our local business, a dollar just doesn’t go as far as it used to. That is why I continue to support passing BALANCED budgets in our state to stop reckless spending, and voted for a $3.4 billion tax cut to help our middle-class families in Wisconsin. We need to pass policies that let people keep their hard-earned dollars in their pocket to help get our economy back on track.

Where do you stand on abortion? Why?

I understand this is an issue that people feel strongly about in our area, and there will be much debate and discussion when the Legislature reconvenes after the election.

As a grandfather, I always choose and support sustaining life, but am in favor of allowing exemptions for instances of rape, incest and where the life of the mother is in danger of being lost. I look forward to continuing to listen to the constituents of the 93rd regarding how they feel on this topic, which will have much debate moving forward.

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?

Despite the challenges of divided government, I’ve consistently proved that I am able to succeed and pass several reforms that bene- fit the 93rd. This session the legislature had over 250 bills signed into law and over 86% of the bills that passed the Assembly did so with bipartisan support. This includes several bills that I authored which included providing additional support for our local Youth Apprenticeship program, supporting our local natural resources, and removing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that keep people on the workforce sidelines. The state is once again funding two-thirds of K-12 education, as our Technical Colleges continue to receive historic support, while we were able to get the governor to sign the legislature’s income tax cut for our families.

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

I am a supporter of the second amendment in our state. As a turkey and pheasant hunter in our area, I understand how the sporting and hunting traditions have helped shape the outdoor culture in western Wisconsin. That is why I will continue to support legislation that protects a person’s second amendment rights and to make sure that everyone has access to due process.

What is your favorite thing about Wisconsin?

My favorite thing about Wisconsin is the amazing, hard-working, creative people who live here. I have had the privilege to meet people from every part of the state and am always impressed by the diverse talents and dedication of our farmers, teachers, manufacturers, healthcare workers, writers, homemakers, and so many others who are dedicated to their families and professions. We are truly blessed to have so many individuals who work hard every day to make our State such a great place to live!

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

I have had the amazing opportunity as the State Representative to the 93rd to represent the voters of the most beautiful Assembly District in the state. Over this time, I earned a track record that reflects the values of western Wisconsin, and I’ve worked to make sure that our area’s interests aren’t overshadowed by southern Wisconsin. This includes record funding to invest in our children’s education and future, and as Chair of the Assembly Workforce Development committee I’ve been able to champion policies to help our workers get the training they need to get and keep a career in our wonderful state. If honored to serve another term, I will continue my track record of bipartisanship to help move our state forward and continue to invest in our local priorities.

Warren Petryk