Dairy Business Association endorses Michels for governor, Toney for AG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 6, 2022

Contact: Jamie Mara
Director of strategic communications

(920) 209-3990 | jmara@dairyforward.com 

Dairy Business Association endorses
Michels for governor, Toney for AG
Group also announces support for legislative candidates in Nov. 8 election

MADISON, Wis. — The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, today endorsed Tim Michels for governor, Eric Toney for attorney general and numerous candidates for the Legislature in the November election.

Key to the association’s support for Michels is his business sense, regulatory perspective and openness to hearing from dairy farmers, DBA President Amy Penterman said.

“Tim Michels is a businessman who understands that dairy farming is a business and that growth for this industry is vital to the economic well-being of our state,” Penterman said. “Farmers underpin a $45 billion portion of Wisconsin’s economy. Our farms need to flourish if we are to protect that.

“Michels also knows the importance of regulatory certainty to farmers’ ability to plan and grow,” she said. “And he realizes how impractical regulations can stifle innovation. Environmental sustainability is a prime example. With flexibility to integrate new technologies, our farmers could accelerate their progress in protecting water quality.

“Michels also is open to welcoming farmers to the table for discussions about issues that affect dairy,” Penterman said. “Maintaining open and honest communication with the agricultural community will bring better opportunities, more effective solutions to challenges and a brighter future for Wisconsin.”

The association also announced its endorsement of Eric Toney for attorney general.

“Eric Toney is single-minded in his approach to regulation and following the law. This is welcome, and refreshing, for farmers, many of whom have felt the damaging effects of regulatory overreach,” Penterman said. “DBA is confident Mr. Toney will ensure regulators follow the intent of the Legislature and stay within the scope of statutes when writing and enforcing administrative rules. It is essential that Wisconsin have common-sense regulations that are fairly applied if we are to keep farms from leaving or closing.”

The announcements came after the DBA board of directors finalized its list of endorsements today at World Dairy Expo. The board earlier had heard from members and had meetings with the candidates.

DBA is also endorsing 74 candidates seeking election to the state Legislature.

“The candidates we are supporting have demonstrated dedication to supporting Wisconsin’s dairy farmers,” Penterman said. “They show an understanding of our key issues and a commitment to addressing them.”

Seventeen state Senate seats are up for election this year. DBA has made endorsements in 14 of those races. Listed by district, they are:

1^ST— Andre Jacque, R-DePere

5^th — Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield

9^th — Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg

11^th — Steve Nass, R-Whitewater

13^th — John Jagler, R-Watertown

15^th — Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit

17^th — Marklein, R-Spring Green

19^th — Rachel Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton

23^rd — Jesse James, R-Altoona

25^th — Romaine Quinn, R-Rice Lake

27^th — Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton

29^th — Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee

31^st — Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick

33^rd — Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield

All 99 seats in the Assembly are up for election. DBA is making endorsements of candidates in a wide range of races, grouped here by region of the state:

Northeast

1^st — Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay

2^nd — Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers

3^rd — Ron Tusler, R-Harrison

4^th — Dave Steffen, R-Green Bay

5^th — Joy Goeben, R-Hobart

25^th — Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc

26^th — Terry Katsma, R-Oostburg

27^th — Amy Binsfield, R- Sheboygan

40^th — Kevin Peterson, R-Waupaca

52^nd — Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac

55^th — Nate Gustafson, R-Neenah

56^th — Dave Murphy, R-Greenville

88^th — John Macco, R-Ledgeview

89^th — Elijah Behnke, R-Oconto

Milwaukee

12^th — LaKeshia Myers, D-Milwaukee

18^th — Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee

21^st — Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek

Northwest

28^th — Gae Magnafici, R-Dresser

29^th — Clint Moses, R-Menomonie

30^th — Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Falls

67^th — Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer

68^th — Karen Hurd, R-Fall Creek

69^th — Dana Rozar, R-Marshfield

75^th — David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake

92^nd — Treig Pronschinske R-Mondovi

93^rd — Warren Petryk, R-Town of Washington

North-central

34^th — Rob Swearingen, R-Rhinelander

35^th — Calvin Callahan, R-Tomahawk

36^th — Jeff Mursau, R-Crivitz

70^th — Nancy VanderMeer, R-Tomah

71^st — Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point

72^nd — Scott Krug, R-Nekoosa

85^th — Pat Snyder, R-Schofield

86^th — John Spiros, R- Marshfield

87^th — James Edming, R-Glen Flora

South-central

31^st — Ellen Schutt, R-Clinton

33^rd — Don Vruwink, D-Milton

37^th — William Penterman, R-Columbus

38^th — Barb Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc

39^th — Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam

41^st — Alex Dallman, R-Green Lake

42^nd — Jon Plumer, R-Lodi

43^rd — Jenna Jacobson, D-Oregon

45^th — Clinton Anderson, D-Beloit

46^th — Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove

79^th — Alex Joers, D-Middleton

81^st — Dave Considine, D-Baraboo

Southwest

49^th — Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City

50^th — Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc

51^st — Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville

80^th — Mike Bare, D-Verona

94^th — Steve Doyle, D-Onalaska

96^th — Loren Oldenburg, R-Viroqua

Southeast

32^nd — Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva

59^th — Ty Bodden, R-Hilbert

60^th — Rob Brooks, R-Saukville

61^st — Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie

63^rd — Robin Vos, R-Rochester

66^th — Greta Neubauer, D-Racine

83^rd — Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego

Images:

DBA endorsement logo

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Dairy Business Association @DairyForward announces endorsement of Tim Michels for governor, Eric Toney for AG, legislative candidates

About DBA:

The Dairy Business Association is Wisconsin’s leading dairy lobby group, championing smart and sensible regulations affecting the dairy community. The nonprofit organization is comprised of farmers, milk processors, vendors and other business partners who work collaboratively to ensure that dairy farms of all sizes have the support they need to keep America’s Dairyland strong. More information: www.dairyforward.com.

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