In rare three-way race for Shawano County Assembly seat, two Republicans and a Democrat each see path to victory
The race to represent state Assembly District 6 this coming term is unusual is that it has three candidates rather than two.
Republican primary winner Peter A. Schmitt, 31, a Bonduel dairy farmer, and Democratic candidate William Switalla, 57, a Shawano flower shop owner, will face a challenge from Republican Dean Neubert of Hortonville who was second in the primary.
The Republican Party of Shawano County endorsed Neubert's candidacy and is encouraging voters to "write in" Neubert's name on District 6 ballots. Unlike the other candidates, Republican officials said, Neubert's record is free of criminal convictions.
The district, one of 99 in the state, covers a rural area focused on Shawano County, but that stretches into slivers of northern Outagamie County, western Brown County and part of Waupaca County.
State criminal records online show:
» Schmidt has a 2021 conviction on 2019 charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct from an incident in which a worker on Schmidt's farm was choked. Schmidt pleaded no contest; a felony charge against him was dropped.
» Switalla has an open case in a deferred prosecution related to the theft of less than $2,500 worth of property, a misdemeanor. He was ordered to perform 40 hours of community service. A felony charge against him was dropped.
Assembly term are two years; Nov. 8 is Election Day across the state, although early voting by absentee ballot is under way.
The Green Bay Press-Gazette asked each candidate to complete a questionnaire before the election explaining why they are running and their positions on issues. Some responses were lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov.
Dean M. Neubert
Age: 41
Address: Hortonville
Work: President of A-1 Professional Supply, a maintenance and janitorial supplier/Neubert LLC
Highest education level: Hortonville High School graduate
Relevant experience: Coach and coordinator of several youth sports teams in the Fox Valley. Campaign volunteer for several school board, city council and county board conservative candidates
Campaign website and Facebook page: Neubertforassembly.com; facebook.com/NeubertforAssembly
Peter Schmidt
Age: 31
Address: Bonduel
Work: Farmer/small business owner
Highest education level: UW-Stevens Point graduate. Bachelor's with double majors in political science and Spanish
Relevant experience: Former Shawano County Board member, Town of Hartland planning commission member and poll worker.
Campaign website and Facebook page: friendsofpeterschmidt.com and facebook.com/FriendsOfPeterSchmidt
William J. Switalla
(Did not submit a photo)
Age: 57
Address: Wittenberg
Work: Florist/self-employed
Highest education level: 12th grade
Relevant experience: Village president for over 10 years. County Board member for over eight years.
Facebook page: Friends of William Switalla for 6th Assembly
Why are you running for this office?
Neubert: I am a father of three who can’t stand the thought of my kids asking why I didn’t do more. I will bring my conservative values and find commonsense solutions that work for everyone. I will fight for the future of my kids and yours.
Schmidt: I’m running for the state Assembly because voters of the 6th District, and the rest of Wisconsin, deserve life, liberty, and happiness as our Founding Fathers outlined. Government has grown too big and intrusive. We need to treat all life with respect and dignity.
Switalla: It's time for our district to have representation for all. I'll work together with everyone to accomplish what's best for Wisconsin.
Why are you the best candidate in this race?
Neubert: I am a business owner and volunteer in several youth sports programs in the district. I am proud of the young athletes I work with teaching them dedication and teamwork. My years of experience running a successful business is the leadership we need representing us in Madison right now.
Schmidt: I’ve been a farmer for my entire life and I’ve served on the Shawano County Board and the Hartland Town Planning Committee. I’m pro-life, pro-gun and pro-economic freedoms. I’ve worked hard to grow our dairy business, graduate from UW-Stevens Point, and give back to my community and church.
Switalla: I have experience with both small business and government, working with both sides at the county and village level. We were able to get multiple grants for our roads and sidewalks to keep our residents safe.
What is the most pressing issue facing Wisconsin? How would you address it?
Neubert: The economy and inflation are by far the biggest concerns of District 6. Every day we see people struggle to make if paycheck-to-paycheck in this economic environment. I will fight for a conservative agenda that promotes economic development while cutting the red tape that creates a barrier for so many of us every day. I will provide the commonsense solutions that represent northeast Wisconsin in Madison.
Schmidt: I am the only candidate to propose abolishing the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). There have been too many inconsistencies and instances of potential fraud for WEC to continue operating. I support banning Zucker-bucks, drop boxes and ballot harvesting. Our electronic voting systems should not be connected to the internet. Free and fair elections ensure we are not controlled by the Madison elites or party bosses.
Switalla: Fair taxation, broadband for rural areas, women's reproductive rights.
Would you vote to repeal Wisconsin’s ban on abortions, or to add exemptions to the law (such as for rape and incest victims)?
Neubert: As the only pro-life candidate endorsed by both Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Right to Life, I will be a defender of the unborn. I was very disappointed to read Gov. (Tony) Evers and (Attorney General Josh) Kaul playing politics with the life of the most vulnerable among us. The recent Supreme Court decision hasn’t changed current state law on the books. I have yet to see legislation to expand abortion I would vote to support, and I doubt we will in the future.
Schmidt: I will not vote to repeal Wisconsin’s ban on abortions nor add exemptions to the law. Wisconsin has been a pro-life state since 1849. Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and it should be up to the states to determine this issue. I am proud to continue to support and defend a culture of life in Wisconsin.
Switalla: I would vote to repeal the ban. Women should have control of their bodies, not us.
Would you support policy initiatives to address climate change in Wisconsin? If so, what would be your priorities?
Neubert: Policies and ideas from Washington, D.C., and Madison are being pushed into our businesses and homes that are negatively impacting our community. I will stand in the gap to prevent a state version of the green new deal to be implemented here in Wisconsin.
Schmidt: I support policy initiatives that support a cleaner environment for all Wisconsinites, and not just the political elites. Our agricultural communities continue to lead the way by producing local clean energy while supporting communities throughout Wisconsin. Ethanol, biomass, biogas, solar, and wind are a great way to diversify and produce a local sustainable energy source. With the improving technologies, dairy farms have the opportunity to produce clean electricity, compost, biogas, and drinkable water too. Wisconsin is blessed to have a variety of natural resources that can pave the way to a cleaner environment for us all.
Switalla: Yes. Work with solar and wind power when possible.
How should state government help Wisconsin residents combat inflation?
Neubert: We’ve seen record surplus in revenue collection at the state level. We need to be cutting taxes to give people their money back to combat the economic policies that have failed all Wisconsinites.
Schmidt: I support cutting the state income tax and downsizing the bloated bureaucrats in Madison. The hard-working taxpayers continue to struggle from the political experts failed policies that lead to the government shutting down our economy, our livelihoods, and our future. Wisconsinites deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money. We need to stop reckless spending, stop borrowing money for pork projects, and encourage Wisconsinites to save their income.
Switalla: Fair taxation.
What should Wisconsin do to protect the democratic process and ensure the integrity of its elections?
Neubert: We need to pass a series of legislation that reforms our election process so that everyone’s vote counts. We need to reform the definition of indefinitely confined, make sure our voter rolls are current, and those who are eligible to vote can do so. Legislation needs to be passed that will eliminate vote in the park and drop boxes for good. We need to reform or replace WEC so that confidence in our elections is reestablished.
Schmidt: I am the only candidate to propose abolishing the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). There have been too many inconsistencies and instances of potential fraud for WEC to continue operating. I support banning Zucker-bucks, drop boxes, and ballot harvesting. Our electronic voting systems should not be connected to the internet. Free and fair elections ensure we are not controlled by the Madison elites or party bosses.
Switalla: We are pretty good at it now. Our election workers are all hard-working people doing a thankless job.
Are the public schools in your district properly funded?
Neubert: I am concerned about the school funding formula that currently exists. We have institutions like the Milwaukee school district that produces the lowest test scores but costs the most money per student to educate. With the current social agendas coming into our classrooms, it is more important than ever that we empower parents’ guidance in their child’s future. Having the money follow the child would go a long way to remove Madison bureaucracy in our education system.
Schmidt: I believe public schools in my district are properly funded at this time. I believe it is up to the voters to decide through local referendums to raise funding to support their public schools. I support budget increases that will keep up with inflation. No teacher should be struggling to meet their needs when they care for and encourage future generations.
Switalla: Public schools in rural and lower-population areas always need additional funding.
What should state government do about gun violence and crime in Wisconsin?
Neubert: The random acts of violence that have impacted our communities in this country have been devastating. The disturbed individual who ran over those children and parents in Waukesha last year should have us asking, "What triggers this type of behavior to violently act out?" When individuals are in a mental health crisis there have been opportunities to stop many of them. We need to assess why our judicial system, health care system and our culture that glorifies violence doesn’t prevent this violence before they pick up a gun or start that vehicle. The Second Amendment shall not be infringed.
Schmidt: I believe gun violence is a matter of the mind. No law nor regulation will end gun violence. It is an issue regarding morality. Having a strong, reliable support system keeps people accountable and strengthens social bonds in the community. I believe the Legislature needs to pass permit-less carry and become a Second Amendment sanctuary state. Eliminate gun-free zones and educate its citizens regarding firearm safety. Encouraging firearm ownership and establishing community ties with law enforcement is the best approach to address gun violence. Supporting and defending the second amendment is the people’s last defense against future tyranny.
Switalla: We should work together to regulate the use of certain high-powered assault rifles. No one wants to take away the everyday person's guns.
Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: In Shawano County Assembly race, each candidate sees a path to victory
