Who Is Running for Lieutenant Governor in Wisconsin?

Author Donald Gianassi

Posted Jan 26, 2023

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The question of who is running for lieutenant governor in Wisconsin has been buzzing around the political climate of the Badger State lately. With the 2022 gubernatorial elections swiftly arriving, all eyes have been turning towards the race to replace current lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes, who will have held the position since 2019.

The first candidate to enter the 2022 lieutenant governor’s race was former state representative and foxpoint village board member Gary Stalheim, a moderate independent lawmaker who ran with then-governor Tom Corbett's backing in 2012. With five years of current and past experience in municipal government and the state legislature, Stalheim hopes to use his years of bipartisan experience to craft lasting policy changes in Wisconsin.

Following Stalheim Christian Henke, an attorney from Waukesha County, also joined independence race for lieutenant governor. Henke has worked as a judicial clerk in federal court as well as an executive assistant at two district attorney's office before setting up his private practice in 2017. Having grown up on a family farm and gained experience defending victims of domestic violence, he is bringing a sense corporate responsibility and progressive values to the table and pushing himself forward with those ideals at the forefront partnering with non-profits such as Stand For Justice and Elder Care Home Advocacy Association; advocating for justice.

Another candidate on everyone’s radar is Republican legislator Cindi Duchow from Delafield who hopes to take her "conservative core values" into office. After 24 years working an educational consultant advising school districts on curriculum and assessment policies, she was elected to serve part of Waukesha County shortly after being elected she was appointed as Assembly Majority Leader by majority leader Jim Steineke. She previously ran unsuccessfully against former Lt Governor Mandela Barnes while advocating for limits on taxation, reduced regulatory climate and promoting pro-business legislation throughout her tenure as a legislator.

As we can see there are various hopefuls hoping to fill Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes' shoes come 2022 election cycle but still need possibilities remain unknowned until more candidates throw their hat into the ring so voters can make an informed decision about each candidate’s merits come voting day.

What candidates are running for Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor in the upcoming election?

On August 11, 2020, Wisconsin will have its primary elections to decide who will be the lieutenant governor candidate for each political party. This year, there are several candidates running for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. It is important to pay attention to who you are voting for since the Lieutenant Governor plays a role in setting policy and serving as a voting member in state government.

The Democratic party will have several candidates competing in the primary election. The top names that are vying for the candidacy are Mandela Barnes, David Crowley, Solome Tibebu-Derose, Joshua Pade and Kurt Kober. Mandela Barnes has served as an aide in the Wisconsin State Senate and currently chairs the Democratic Party of Milwaukee County. Currently serving as an alderman for Milwaukee is David Crowley, an Iraq War veteran who is an advocate for workers' rights and social equity. Solome Tekleab-Derose is another strong female candidate running this season with a background in civil engineering and environmental policy analysis from Harvard University and Tufts University and 10 years of experience in leading non-profits at both the local and national level. Rounding out the democratic pool is Joshua Pade and Kurt Kober, both of whom have had experience working on various projects within public safety during their employment with Wisconsin’s Department of Justice.

As far as Republicans go, there are three contenders running this fall including Andre Jacque, Patrick Testin, Matt Neely and Jeff Jones. Jacque has been an assemblyman since 2008; representing De Pere to Stevens Point and focusing on educational reforms through his work on STEM initiatives throughout Wisconsin school districts. Patrick Testin currently serves on the Portage county board group; he serves on multiple committees having worked with local governments to improve areas such as supporting veterans health care benefits. Matt Neely is earning recognition among constituents due to his focus on developing prospects that better serve their communities along with more jobs and investments throughout southern Wisconsin. Closing out the list of Republican hopefuls is Jeff Jones from Milwuakee who has supported numerous charitable organizations throughout his career advocating for better public activism policies

Who are the candidates for the office of Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor?

The Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin is a critical role, acting as the successor to the governor if he or she cannot fulfill their duties for any reason. This year, candidates for the office are overflowing, with five Democrats and five Republicans running in the August 11th primary.

On the Democratic side, Mandela Barnes, Representative from Milwaukee; Kurt Kober, environmentalist from River Falls; Marisabel Cabrera, diversity trainer from Milwaukee; William Dusty Huebner and Leslie Dougher from Kenosha represent the five primary candidates. All of them have promised to support a wide range of initiatives, including providing resources and education to combat racial injustice and inequality in addition to fighting for economic justice for marginalized communities throughout Wisconsin. Each of these candidates also stands in firm opposition to gerrymandering which has so unfairly and undemocratically been ruling our state since 2011.

The Republican party has nominees Ramona Kitzinger, attorney from Elkhorn; Andre Jacque, Senate Majority Leader from DePere; Patrick Baird an attorney from Dublin; Jeff Johnson an attorney from Eau Claire; and Tricia Zunker a Wausau-area school board member vying for Lieutenant Governor. Much like the Democrats they have promised to tackle racial injustice while focusing on an economic plan that provides opportunities specifically tailored to rural communities within Wisconsin. In addition they have also pledged their unwavering support of lowering taxes in order to bolster economic growth within Wisconsin but also monitor increased spending that could adversely affect our state budget.

Wisconsin residents will not only be choosing their leader of the party ticket this August but determining which party presents a vision for a better future both economically sustainably and morally equitable for all residents living in our state.

What is the current list of people running for Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor?

The current list of people running for Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor is an interesting story with new candidates entering the race every day. The two major party nominees currently include Democrat Mandela Barnes, a former Wisconsin state representative, and Republican Andre Jacque, a state senator.

Barnes first won election in 2012 and went on to become the first African American to represent Milwaukee in the state assembly. He was an early leader of the Black Lives Matter movement and has a long record of fighting for racial equity. While Barnes leans left on economic issues and wants to increase funding for education, he’s been able to find common ground with Jacque on several issues, including job creation initiatives and growing minority business ownership.

Jacque is currently serving his third term in the state senate, where he serves on several committees including Energy & Utilities and Regulatory Reform. He’s focused his campaign heavily around developing the economy through creating jobs, reducing taxes, and providing better services to rural Wisconsinites. He’s also kicked his campaign into high gear by making sure that everyone in Wisconsin knows that he’s running by launching modern campaigns in both print media and on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

It looks like voters of Wisconsin have two great candidates to choose from in this upcoming election as both candidates have a record of making progressive changes within their respective districts while keeping their constituents interests at heart. With that said it will be interesting to see who comes out on top at the polls come November 9th!

What are the names of the individuals campaigning for the office of Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor?

There are five individuals competing for the office of Wisconsin lieutenant governor in the upcoming election. In alphabetical order, they are: Mandela Barnes, a former state representative and former U.S. House of Representatives aide; Kurt Kober, a Waunakee attorney and Marine veteran; Jonathon Lange, a Sauk County attorney; Mandela Barnes, a former state representative and former U.S. House of Representatives aide; and Marilinda Garcia, President Obama's nominee for deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services in 2010 before being confirmed as the White House’s national Native American policy director.

Mandela Barnes is running for lieutenant governor on a platform of economic progress for Wisconsin’s working families. Barnes was formerly an aide to the United States House of Representatives in Washington D.C., representing Wisconsin’s 2nd congressional district. He also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2013-2018 while advocating for progressive policies including reforms to criminal justice system, combating poverty and promoting equity in education as well as health care access reform.

Kurt Kober is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility, limited government and protecting our Constitutional rights while boosting Wisconsin’s economy. He has an extensive knowledge gained through his years working as an attorney in Waunakee as well as his experience serving in the U.S Marines special operations unit after graduating from Marquette University Law School..

Jonathon Lange is running on the platform of providing economic opportunity, strengthening education outcomes and restoring fiscal responsibility to government. Lange is an experienced law practitioner with more than 20 years experience holding various roles from Sauk County Attorney General to assistant district attorney to defend indigent children with disabilities across 18 counties. Lange also understands federal regulations impacting healthcare services for those most vulnerable populations such disadvantaged youth or seniors.

Marilinda Garcia is hoping to bring her expertise at collaborative leadership to her campaign for lieutenant governor where she hopes to promote better healthcare access through greater transparency on drug pricing but ensure fiscal responsibility isn't compromised while bringing greater economic equity amongst Wisconsin citizens by easing regulations that hurt small businesses while ensuring fair wages remain intact state-wide . Garcia has extensive knowledge regarding healthcare access issues stemming from her time working at the US Department Health & Human Services during President Obama's administration plus additionally serving on numerous Boards outside of government involving healthcare policy such as Health Care Reform Working Group at Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School where she educated fellow students about public policy implementation realities..

With five candidates competing fiercely vying for your votes this November amongst them diverse set backgrounds,experience ranges different political backgrounds. Whether you support fiscal conservatism? Better business regulation? Or ladders into greater economic equality no matter how you choose these candidates have demonstrated expertise understanding implementing policies affecting Wisconsinites everywhere.

Who is vying for the office of Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor in 2022?

The 2022 election for the office of Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor is going to be an interesting one, as candidates from all over the state have already declared their intention to run. While the full picture will not be revealed until primaries and caucuses have finished in the summer and fall, here are three of the most significant contenders.

The first of these is Republican challenger Mandi Ballinger. Ballinger has served as a Wisconsin State Senator since 2019 and was one of four female legislators honored by former Congresswoman Gwen Moore in 2020 for promoting bipartisan politics. With a strong focus on rural issues and healthcare reform, Ballinger has cited increasing access to mental health care and restoring fiscal responsibility as her primary interests should she become Lieutenant Governor.

On the other side of the aisle is Democrat Stephen Smith, who has previously served as a State Representative in Dane County since 2018. Smith's previous public service includes stints with AmeriCorp and teaching English at an immigrant non-profit organization in China. Additionally, he championed legislation to increase resources for first-time homebuyers, gave a powerful speech against prosecuting protestors who were trying to pass sweeping police reform bills and sponsored dozens of other bills regarding gun safety measures and clean energy initiatives.

Finally, there’s Mahlon Mitchell, also running for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor in Wisconsin's 2022 election. Mitchell is currently president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin union organization and was unanimously elected by its members earlier this year. A gifted public speaker with a long record of activism aimed at enacting reforms that better support those on lower incomes along with sensible gun control policies, Mitchell is widely popular among progressives throughout the state.

In summary, while there are many more candidates running for Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor in 2022 than those mentioned here, these three have all been able to mobilize significant support and differentiate themselves with policy platforms that engage diverse populations across the state’s political spectrum. Their candidacy promises even more exciting races come Election Day next November!

Who will be on the ballot for Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor in 2022?

In 2022, two candidates will be vying to become the next Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. The first candidate is Mandela Barnes, a Democratic politician who currently serves as the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin and has been in office since 2018. Barnes, who was born and raised in Milwaukee and graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in Political Science and Public Administration, has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors.

Before his election as Lieutenant Governor, he served as an Executive Assistant to Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, where he worked on policy initiatives to eliminate disparities within the county. As Lieutenant Governor, Barnes has been active on initiatives that promote justice reform, educational opportunities and economic growth. He is running for re-election in 2022 to ensure that these ideals are maintained.

The Republican party’s nominee is Mandela’s former opponent in 2018 Scott Walker, Jr., a businessman from Madison who also ran for Governor of Wisconsin back in 2014. Walker is emphasizing his long history of entrepreneurial success as his platform for this election cycle. Walker owned several small businesses prior to launching his campaign for Lieutenant Governor. He's had experience working with budgeting issues while utilizing tax reforms and advocating for strong economic developments during the past term of office.

These two candidates will be contending for an important role within the state government to drive statewide policies forward for betterment of all citizens of Wisconsin; Barnes with his platform of social justice reform and economic expansion, alongside Walker's economic emphasis. Their debate leading up to election day promises to be a dynamic one as they fight for their respective visions on progress in Wisconsin come 2022!

Donald Gianassi

Donald Gianassi

Writer at CGAA

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Donald Gianassi is a renowned author and journalist based in San Francisco. He has been writing articles for several years, covering a wide range of topics from politics to health to lifestyle. Known for his engaging writing style and insightful commentary, he has earned the respect of both his peers and readers alike.

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