Assembly District 1: Republicans Rep. Joel Kitchens and Milt Swagel meet in August primary
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Incumbent Rep. Joel Kitchens and challenger Milt Swagel will face off in the Republican Party primary for the 1st Assembly District.
The state Senate and Assembly races will reflect new electoral maps that were signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers. The maps were created to more evenly divide the legislative districts between Democrats and Republicans. Assembly District 1 covers Door and Kewaunee counties, and a small part of northeastern Brown County.
The winner of the Aug. 13 primary will go on to face Democrat Renee Paplham.
There are lots of resources for voters at myvote.wi.gov. You can:
We asked each candidate for three questions. Their answers were gently edited for grammar, style and accuracy.
Joel Kitchens (i)
Age: 66
Occupation: Legislator, retired large animal veterinarian
Highest level of education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Ohio State University)
Campaign website: Joelkitchens.com
Milt Swagel
Age: 62
Occupation: Farmer
Highest level of education: Graduate of Farm and Industry Short Course University of Wisconsin Madison and graduate of Farm Business Management at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. I am an active duty and reserve duty U.S. Army veteran
Campaign website: Miltswagel.com
Why are you running for state Assembly?
KITCHENS: I am running for reelection because I have found it very rewarding to enact legislation that positively impacts the people of Wisconsin, as well as to help my constituents navigate government, to make sure that our government works for them. This session I authored five bills that originated from constituents in my district. I am a proven leader who has demonstrated the ability to get things done in Madison.
SWAGEL: I am running for state Assembly because change is needed in Madison. The state budget is $99 billion, up 12% over the past budget. This waste of hard-earned taxpayer money is wrong. The rights of the people come first, not what the establishment wants. I'm totally pro-Life, pro Second Amendment, pro family.
What two issues do you feel most need to be addressed in state Legislature?
KITCHENS: I serve as chairman of the Committee on Education, and I expect to continue to move forward with initiatives we have begun to ensure that our children receive the education that they need to be productive members of society.
Wisconsin’s reading scores in elementary school have been declining for decades and currently, only one-third of Wisconsin fourth-graders are reading at the proficient level or better. We know that two-thirds of kids who cannot read at grade level will end up in prison or on welfare.
This session, I authored Act 20, which will implement a more phonics-based approach, which is more like how most of us were taught to read. States that have made this change have seen dramatic improvements.
Next session, I will continue to work to implement this reading plan, while also working toward improved math instruction. I want to limit the use of cellphones in schools, to help eliminate distractions so that students can concentrate on learning.
My greatest concern for the future of Wisconsin is the steady increase in generational poverty, government dependence and all the social problems that go along with that. Education is our one opportunity to break that cycle, and it will always be a top priority for me.
SWAGEL: The issues that must be addressed include the budget is $99 billion and up 12% from the last budget. This is not sustainable to the hard-working taxpayers. With this also the budget surplus in Madison needs to be returned to the taxpayers. Another issue is the rights of all the people, including the preborn, life begins at conception. I will not allow any infringement of the First and Second Amendments at the state level. COVID was handled wrong, closing churches, schools, small business, masking, shots that didn't prevent the virus. I would not have voted for that.
(Editor's note: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "In the first ten months that COVID-19 vaccines were available, they saved over 200,000 lives and prevented over 1.5 million hospitalizations in the United States.")
What will be your priority in the next two-year budget?
KITCHENS: We will again enter this budget cycle with a record surplus. Rather than going on a spending spree, as the governor has proposed, our priority must be to reduce the tax burden on our citizens.
The states that are gaining population have low tax rates, while people are leaving those with high taxes. We need a tax code that is fair and sustainable, that citizens and businesses can rely on when they make the decision on where to locate.
This session, I co-authored a bill that would have eliminated tax on retirement income and allowed our retirees to remain in Wisconsin. Additionally, we passed a bill to provide true middle-class tax reduction. Unfortunately, the governor twice vetoed these proposals. Fortunately, he did sign our bill to increase the child care tax credit.
Going forward, I intend to work with my colleagues and the administration to implement these important proposals. Wisconsin is a wonderful place to live, but we need a tax code that keeps us competitive with other states. We need lean, efficient government that allows Wisconsinites to keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible. I will continue to work to make Wisconsin the best place in the nation to work, raise a family and retire.
SWAGEL: My priority for the next budget is to lower it. The hard-working taxpayers cannot afford this. The budget is the taxpayer’s money, not the establishments. I don't want the establishment hiding bills in the budget that should have been voted on separately.
Alyssa N. Salcedo is a reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. She can be reached at asalcedo@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Incumbent Kitchens, Swagel met in 1st Assembly District GOP primary
