Adams, Green seek 74th District seat in Wisconsin Assembly

Oct. 25—SUPERIOR — Voters in the Wisconsin Assembly's 74th District will select a representative when they head to the polls Nov. 8.

Rep. Beth Meyers, D-Bayfield, filed notice of noncandidacy earlier this year as she won't seek re-election after serving eight years in the Wisconsin Assembly.

Washburn area farmer John Adams announced he would run as a Democratic candidate for the seat. Small business owner Chanz Green is his Republican challenger after receiving nearly 67% of the vote in the August primary.

"The 74th is my main interest," Green said. "I have no other interest in the state of Wisconsin. Madison, Milwaukee don't matter to me. The 74th Assembly District matters to me most. I would really like to see something done with mental health issues up here whether we get a facility put up here or some type of outreach programs. We need to focus on mental health issues."

Green said workforce development will be another priority for him.

Adams said he has experience serving in an elected position. His plan for serving the 74th District includes meeting regularly with the people to inform his decisions. He's planning to hold monthly town hall meetings.

"It is a beautiful region, and we are lucky to live here," Adams said. "And we have many informed citizens whose voices I need to hear."

Both candidates say they will accept the outcome of the 2022 election, but they have differing views on what it will take to restore faith in the electoral process in Wisconsin.

Adams said he would help publicize the findings of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' taxpayer-funded, $1 million investigation that revealed no fraud.

"The only election fraud going on right now is gerrymandering, by which Republicans are selecting their voters instead of voters selecting their representatives," Adams said. "Gov. (Tony) Evers has put forth a citizen commission to solve this attack on our democracy, and the Republicans refused to debate the topic. This commission would take the district lines drawing out of the hands of politicians, in either party, and is a sensible protection of our voting rights that needs to be enacted, just like many other states have done."

However, Green pointed to a vagary of Wisconsin's election laws that needs to be cleaned up.

"As far as restoring people's faith in the election process and things, I think we need to clean up the election laws," Green said. "They're very vague. Both parties look at them and come to a different conclusion. We need to clean that up, make sure that everyone's on the same page. Everybody knows what's right. Everybody knows what's wrong. And we move forward and ensure that everyone's vote counts. Everybody's vote counts and that we can restore a little faith in the election process."

The candidates have different ideas on how to address inflation. Both recognize that there is a limit to what state government can do about a national problem. However, with the state holding a $4.3 billion surplus, both candidates say the state can do more to put more money in people's pockets.

"That's one of the biggest issues I'm finding knocking on doors is inflation," Green said. "It affects all of us — the rising cost of everything. I think the best way to combat that at a state level is to do tax reform. Whether income tax or property taxes, I think we need to cut taxes and keep more money in people's pockets. We have a $5 billion budget surplus (projected). ... I believe we can cut taxes, quit taking so much from everybody."

Green said the surplus shows the state has enough and tax reform is "the best way we can at a state level to fight inflation."

Adams said the governor has tried to return surplus tax collections to people, which the Republican-led Legislature has not passed.

In addition to returning surplus revenue to taxpayers, Adams said he would support a community solar bill that is currently stalled.

"We could take back our power bills and create our own power if special interests would let this bill pass," Adams said. "Lastly, take the $1.4 billion federal money left on the table to expand health care in Wisconsin. We all pay the balance of the hospital bills that the indigent cannot in the state through higher premiums. This is our tax money, and we deserve it back."

Adams said the American dream includes the right to health care and living without fear, and personal freedom is closely tied to the ideas protected in the Constitution.

"Health care allows freedom from want, so we could expand health care with federal dollars," Adams said. "Second, we could be passing sensible gun laws to allow freedom from fear in our school children. Third, by keeping religion and government separate, freedom of religion is protected, and protects our citizens' freedom to plan their families. Finally, by keeping local journalism alive, we protect freedom of speech. We can regulate big tech companies from predation of local news content through a bill in the Legislature. There are bills in all these areas that could be passed.

"These four freedoms are fundamental to the American dream and ones that need our constant vigilance."

Green said the American dream is whatever people think it is, and is easier to pursue with less government interference in the lives of its citizens.

"I am for less government, less taxes, less regulations," Green said. "I believe people should be able to make their own destiny, pursue their dream, whether that be start a business or start a family, I encourage it. I think the best way to do that is to work toward workforce development, making sure that everyone has an opportunity to find a good job, find a good paying job, and be educated, and have the resources they need to live a long, fulfilling life. Contributing to society in the workforce area is one way I would encourage people to get out and live the dream."

Address: Washburn

Age: 48

Business/employment: Farmer.

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.

Government and/or civic experience and organizations: Town of Washburn Board, Chequamegon Food Co-op Board, Library Board, Bayfield Foods Farm Cooperative Board.

Why did you decide to run for state Assembly?

"Because we are a unique rural area of the state with pride in our land and clean water, and we fight to protect it together and still keep jobs that depend on those resources while we care for each other and our communities," he said.

"At all levels, the government is supposed to help people and we need to restore that spirit in the state Assembly. Our democracy is held together by institutions, and when our election is undermined by one party with no evidence, that is not OK by me nor many of us in the 74th District. In the north, we have faith in our institutions and hold them accountable. We need to move on from 2020 and move on from Wisconsin's decade of tax cuts for the wealthy and forgetting the middle class," he said. "If we are going to fund our public schools and pay police a competitive salary, then we need tax reform in a way that brings justice for our middle class while lifting those up to the middle class struggling with rent and housing. That is still the spirit in the north and we need to bring that spirit to the Assembly."

Address: Grand View, Wisconsin

Age: 31

Family: Long-term girlfriend, no children.

Business/employment: Worked for Amery as assistant director of public works for 11 years; city of Ashland utilities manager for 3 1/2 years; owner of the Pioneer Bar near Cable, and Ashland Event Rentals.

Education: Graduated from Amery High School, certificates from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, UW-Extension programs in public works.

Government and/or civic experience and organizations: Wisconsin Tavern League; Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association; National Rifle Association; Hunter Nation.

Why did you decide to run for state Assembly?

"Over the last year and a half, with running new businesses and getting to know a lot of people in the area, I see them struggle with fighting inflation and making personal cuts and sacrifices to account for that. It's been infuriating, and I figured it's time to get involved. I think Madison has too much say in how we live here in northern Wisconsin, and I'd like to go down there and be northern Wisconsin's voice," he said.