Conversations That Matter

Listening Across the District

It’s been another busy few weeks, and I’m grateful for every conversation along the way.

I’ve hosted meet and greets in Plymouth and Beaver Dam, attended a training with Indivisible on documenting and recording community events, and stopped by Dana Glasstein’s launch party in Port Washington. If you’re in the 22nd Assembly District, I encourage you to check her out at www.danaforwi.com.

I also attended the Beaver Dam City Council meeting on the proposed data center and spoke during public comment. I shared my hope that decisions like this are guided by independent, unbiased information and shaped by meaningful input from local residents.

Earlier this week, I spent time visiting businesses and meeting people across Dodge County. I spoke with local clergy, a small but world-renowned cheese maker, and the owners of a natural foods store. On Thursday night, I stopped by the Waushara County Democrats’ office hours to catch up. All of these conversations bring me to this weekend feeling encouraged and motivated.

Listening is at the heart of my campaign. So I want to share some of what I’ve been hearing across the district.

Always spend time in Nature

Amanda visited one of the many beautifully preserved natural places in our District. The Horicon National Wildlife Refuge gets over 400,000 visitors per year where they can see over 300 different bird species.

Community, Faith, and Caring for One Another

I spoke with a retired pastor who helps organize cleanups after the Kiel Parade. She shared her concern about divisive language around faith and politics and emphasized that many clergy are working hard to bring people together, not pull them apart. She reminded me how important it is to honor those who came before us and to live out the simple teaching to love our neighbors.

Another pastor told me that her church’s Helping Hands fund has been used more in the past six months than in the previous three years. While she is grateful for her congregation’s generosity, she is heartbroken that so many families are struggling to put food on the table.

These conversations reflect both the compassion in our communities and the real challenges people are facing.

Strengthening Our Place in the World

Many people I spoke with want to see the United States rebuild strong, respectful relationships with our allies. There is particular concern about maintaining our commitments to NATO and honoring partnerships that have mattered in times of crisis. Folks understand that cooperation and diplomacy are essential to long-term security.

Government Funding and Economic Pressures

Across the district, people expressed strong support for protecting funding for science, research, and the arts. Many also spoke in favor of expanding access to affordable healthcare.

I heard repeatedly that modest increases in Social Security are quickly offset by rising costs for electricity, groceries, rent, healthcare, and property taxes. One person summed it up well: government can be “a stepping stone or a stumbling block,” and our leaders have a choice in which role it plays.

Representation, Accountability, and Campaign Finance

Several people shared that they have contacted their representatives, including Rep. Grothman, Sen. Johnson, and Sen. Baldwin, and never received a response. They want to feel heard and taken seriously.

Voters are frustrated by how little time Congress spends in session and by the length and cost of modern campaigns. Many support reasonable limits on campaign spending.

One thoughtful idea I heard was that if Congress raises its own pay, Social Security and the minimum wage should increase at the same rate. People also expressed concern about policies that make it harder for future leaders to correct decisions that hurt working families.

Jobs and Manufacturing

The 6th District remains one of the strongest manufacturing regions in the country. I’ve met leaders who are doing things right by reinvesting in their workforce, paying fair wages, and supporting unions.

These companies provide good jobs for roughly one in five workers in our district, and they deserve policies that help them continue to thrive.

Law Enforcement and Immigration

I heard repeated concerns about aggressive tactics used by ICE and CBP and the need for stronger training and accountability, especially around de-escalation.

Many people are also frustrated with how broken and expensive our immigration system has become, with long waits and high costs for families trying to follow the rules.

Several residents noted that our district includes nine prisons, including an immigration enforcement facility in Dodge County. They would like to see more focus on improving working conditions for staff and humane conditions for those incarcerated here in Wisconsin.

Mental Health and Well-Being

A mental health professional shared concerns about limited access to counselors and therapists. Potential Medicaid cuts could make this even worse.

They described a level of shared trauma not seen since COVID, with political divisions affecting families and neighborhoods. At the same time, they see hope in young people who are more willing to speak openly about mental health and advocate for inclusive, supportive communities.

That willingness to care for one another gives me hope.

Small Businesses and Local Economies

Small business owners told me they are struggling under the weight of tariffs and complex regulations.

One family-owned, award-winning cheese maker faces the same compliance requirements as multinational corporations, even though the cost could threaten their survival. A local health food store is losing small vendors because they can’t compete with larger companies or navigate overseas supply challenges.

These businesses are the backbone of our small towns, and we need policies that help them grow, not push them out.

Proud to support local.

Stopping by Widmer's Cheese Cellars is a reminder of what makes our district special. Family-owned, hardworking, and producing award-winning cheese.

Moving Forward Together

I promised that listening would be central to my campaign, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

I’m working to set up listening sessions across the district so I can continue learning directly from you. If you’re interested in hosting a session or know a business or community space that might be open to one, please reach out.

Your experiences, concerns, and ideas matter. I’m here to listen, and I’m committed to carrying your voices with me every step of the way.

Thank You!

One of my favorite parts of this campaign: sitting down with a pen and saying thank you the old-fashioned way. So grateful for every person who’s chipped in and cheered me on.