5th Assembly District Republican Candidates Greenwood, Goeben, Knaack support dismantling the Wisconsin Elections Commission
APPLETON - Three political newcomers will compete in the Republican primary in an attempt to take over the 5th Assembly District seat after Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, steps down.
Tim Greenwood of Kaukauna, Joy Goeben of Hobart and Kraig Knaack of Freedom will face off in the Aug. 9 primary election.
Assembly Majority Leader Steineke, who represented the district for 11 years, announced an early resignation effective July 27 to pursue interests in the private sector.
The winner of the partisan primary will face political newcomer Joey Van Deurzen, a Democrat from De Pere, in the November election.
All Assembly districts will be up for two-year terms in the fall election.
Partisan races will be contested in the primary election Aug. 9, with the winners advancing to the Nov. 8 general election.
The Post-Crescent asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire before the primary explaining why they are running and their positions on issues. Some responses were lightly edited for clarity and length .
For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.
MORE: Here's an Appleton-area voters' guide to the Aug. 9 Wisconsin primary election
Tim Greenwood
Age: 31
Occupation: Attorney
Highest education: Juris Doctor, Marquette University Law School
Relevant experience: Practicing family law, estate planning and general litigation as an attorney and working as a Guardian ad Litem representing minor children in family law matters. I l also served as a community service officer for the UW-Oshkosh Police Department while an undergraduate there.
Campaign website: www.reptimgreenwood.com
Why are you running for this office?
Our country needs to return to a path where individuals are responsible for their actions. Where parents know their children are being taught age-appropriate material in schools. Where people understand the country isn’t perfect, but work every day to make it better.
Why are you the best candidate in this race?
I grew up in Kaukauna and graduated from high school there. When I heard the current representative was not running again, I decided to leave practicing law north of Madison and return home because I saw the issues facing our state and wanted to return home to make an impact.
What is the most pressing issue facing Wisconsin, and how would you address it?
The same issue facing our country: the economy. We can attempt to address it by making Wisconsin more attractive to new residents and improve the situation of our current residents by reducing or eliminating our state income tax. What also will improve our economy is enhancing our education system by allowing parents to have more insight and knowledge over the things being taught to their children to be sure the next generation is being educated properly. Parents know their children and household situation to know what is the best option for their child: public, private, charter, home or virtual.
Would you vote to repeal Wisconsin’s ban on abortions, or to add exemptions to the law?
I would vote to allow exemptions for rape and incest victims who become pregnant. Only an individual performing an illegal abortion should have charges brought against them, not the mother. There also seems to be confusion around miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. To be clear, procedures related to these medical conditions are not abortions.
What are your views on gun violence and what can the Legislature do to address it?
Gun violence is a mental health issue that stems from many issues our country faces such as broken homes, overmedication and mental illnesses. The Legislature should pass a mental health package to provide care and expand education for professionals to aid those who suffer from mental health issues. Looking at crime in places like Chicago and New York, which have incredibly strict gun laws, shows that outlawing guns makes law-abiding citizens a potential victim of those who do not follow the law.
What would you do to make voting more accessible in Wisconsin to people with disabilities and others with transportation challenges?
Voting is incredibly accessible to those with disabilities or transportation challenges by being able to vote absentee and mailing their ballot back. Wisconsin also has in-person, same-day voting registration that has minimal requirements to ensure you are voting in the proper district. So, if you do not pre-register you can still make sure your vote is counted. Mass mailing voting to everyone is fraught with potential issues such as moving and not updating your address.
Do you support dismantling the Wisconsin Elections Commission?
I do support dismantling the Wisconsin Elections Commission. After the recent ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court that ballot drop boxes were illegal, and those drop boxes were supported by the Wisconsin Election Commission, it is clear the commission wanted illegal methods propped up and not abided by state law as to how our elections are to be conducted. The commission cannot just create laws related to elections. The issues surrounding how elections are conducted should fall on the state Legislature to draft and an elected official to conduct, such as the Secretary of State position.
Joy Goeben
Age: 49
Occupation: Small business owner
Highest education level: Master's degree in education
Relevant experience: Owner of Joyful Hearts Family Childcare, YWCA swim team board member, Christ Alone Church Leadership board member, Green Bay Area Christian Homeschoolers board member
Campaign website: www.GoebenforAssembly.com
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for this office because I want to serve the communities in Assembly District 5 and the state of Wisconsin. It is important to me that we have representatives who care about the people and communities and are willing to work hard for them.
Why are you the best candidate in this race?
I have raised a family, ran a small business, actively served my community and understood the level of hard work it will take to represent the people in the 5th Assembly District. I have leadership experience and the drive to make a positive impact on our community.
What is the most pressing issue facing Wisconsin, and how would you address it?
One of the most pressing issues facing Wisconsin is the need for safe communities. You should have peace of mind knowing that you and your family will be safe in your homes, schools and communities. I would work to promote the safety of our communities by ensuring our law enforcement agencies are fully funded, finding solutions to increase the recruitment and retainment of officers, and promoting law and order in our communities by enforcing laws and punishing criminals. I have been endorsed by the Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police.
Would you vote to repeal Wisconsin’s ban on abortions, or to add exemptions to the law?
I believe life begins at conception and we need to fight for the rights of these unborn children. I have been endorsed by Pro-Life Wisconsin.
What are your views on gun violence and what can the Legislature do to address it?
Our state has plenty of laws on the books to combat violence. We need to support law enforcement in enforcing these laws to get violent criminals off the streets in order to keep our communities safe. It is also very important that we work to support mental health care in our state and our nation.
What would you do to make voting more accessible in Wisconsin to people with disabilities and others with transportation challenges?
Every registered Wisconsin voter has the ability to request an absentee ballot. Voting by absentee should eliminate transportation challenges.
Do you support dismantling the Wisconsin Elections Commission?
I believe we do need to dismantle the Wisconsin Elections Commission. This unelected agency has unchecked power and has disregarded statutes and the constitution. We need to give voters more control over the election process by putting elections under the oversite of elected officials. If the election system goes wrong, voters will be able to vote those responsible out of office.
Kraig Knaack
Age: 41
Occupation: Broker and owner of Knaack Realty
Highest education: Bachelor's in administration of justice from Marian University
Relevant experience: Former police officer, small business owner
Campaign website: www.KnaackforAssembly.com
Why are you running for this office?
I’m frustrated with our current political state and everything going on (and the tremendous impact it’s having on people within my district and throughout the state). I feel the best way to effect positive change for the people within my community is by representing them in Madison.
Why are you the best candidate in this race?
My experience as a police officer and small business owner has taught me so many things that would be invaluable in this position. I’m a lifelong resident of the Fox Cities, a father and the candidate I believe is most committed to truly serving this amazing community.
What is the most pressing issue facing Wisconsin, and how would you address it?
I believe the most pressing issue is the economy, including the cost of gas, food, basic goods and housing. I’ve felt the impact of these things just like many others have, and it’s incredibly sad to see so many people struggling. The best and most simple way to address this is through common-sense, cooperative political action. We need bold leaders who are willing to work together for a common good. Forget about partisan issues, special interests and getting reelected, and do what’s right for the people.
Would you vote to repeal Wisconsin’s ban on abortions, or to add exemptions to the law?
I am pro-life but support exemptions for rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother. This is a very divisive and emotional issue, but legislators absolutely need to address it head-on and closely examine the law as it’s currently written.
What are your views on gun violence and what can the Legislature do to address it?
I support the Second Amendment (along with other constitutional rights) and do not believe the “answer” to reducing gun violence is infringing on law-abiding gun owners’ rights. Gun violence is generally committed by people who don’t respect laws or are disturbed or mentally ill, not by the vast majority of gun owners who are responsible and law-abiding. The legislature can address things like improving mental health access and care and making schools more secure, but the greatest impact may be through holding criminals more accountable and focusing on the small percentage of people responsible for gun crimes.
What would you do to make voting more accessible in Wisconsin to people with disabilities and others with transportation challenges?
I believe Wisconsin’s current election laws, including the ability to register online and vote absentee by mail, already provide a great deal of accessibility to voting.
Do you support dismantling the Wisconsin Elections Commission?
Yes; the Wisconsin Elections Commission should be eliminated. Their inability or unwillingness to make decisions and provide consistent guidance have eroded voters’ faith in the electoral process. Election duties should be managed by the Secretary of State, an elected position in which there is actually accountability.
Sophia Voight can be reached at svoight@postcrescent.com or 920-993-7102. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_voight.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Wisconsin Assembly candidates Tim Greenwood Joy Goeben and Kraig Knaack face off
