NEW GLARUS — Corrine Hendrickson has dedicated a large part of her life to children. From raising her own to caring for children from other families, one thing is certain: Corrine Cares.

“We need someone who will fight for the people of this district; that will bring people together to solve the problems created by the lack of affordability instead of fighting each other over the scraps,” said Hendrickson, who announced her official campaign launch for the Wisconsin 17th Senate District on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at New Glarus Village Park. “We’re all fighting to survive. We’re working harder than ever and feeling further behind.”

The seat is currently held by Republican Howard Marklein of Spring Green. Hendrickson is the third official Democratic candidate filed in the race, with more possibly entering the mix. That list includes Green County Board Supervisor Todd Larson of New Glarus, 50th Assembly Representative Jenna Jacobson of Oregon, and Lisa White of Prairie du Chien.

“I never thought that I would run for a higher level of office than school board — like state or federal politics — mostly because I always felt I could do more from the outside,” Hendrickson said. “But now at this point, those politicians in office say they are listening and say they understand, but then they don’t care. And we need people who care.”

Over the past decade, Hendrickson has watched child care costs rise directly from the trenches. The growing costs have been burdening families, as wages have stagnated against the rise of inflation and living expenses. Hendrickson hasn’t just been shaking her head from behind closed doors, she has been advocating for change at the local, state and federal level.

She championed Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed (WECAN) to help raise awareness and organize others to work at changing the current system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal dollars went to states to help offset costs of childcare. With the funding only temporary, Hendrickson led the charge to allocate permanent monies to the program. She not only spoke about the trials and tribulations of the industry in front of state legislators multiple times, she even spoke to congressional committees in Washington D.C.

In Wisconsin, Marklein has had his fingerprints directly on the state’s budget for the past three cycles as the co-chair to the Joint Committee on Finance. Marklein has played a role in funds not being delivered to their respective destinations, something that has been challenged in court by Gov. Tony Evers’ administration — and Marklein lost.

“(Marklein) has helped create those budgets. He kept funds that were allocated in the budget and didn’t spend them — and we now know that was unconstitutional. Our PFAS contamination ... $15 million dollars for Child Care Counts ... they sat on it and refused to allocate the money. Those items went back into the general fund,” Hendrickson said. Howard Marklein and his co-chair have been instrumental in blocking the people of our state to have more affordable, happier, healthier lives.”

In years past, Marklein’s seat has not had a strong Democratic challenge through the primary system. Kriss Marion challenged him in 2018 and lost by just over 8% of the vote, and Pat Skogen was defeated by more than 15,000 in 2022. 

“To have so many people excited and thinking they can do this — and he (Marklein) has been such a barrier,” Hendrickson said of the upcoming primary challenge. 

Hendrickson has previously served on the New Glarus School Board, and holds an Early Childhood Mental Health Masters Certificate, a Bachelor’s in Education PreK-6, and she is on track to graduate with a Masters in Early Childhood Policy this December. For more information on Hendrickson and her policy positions, go to CorrineFor17.com or follow her campaign pages on social media: 

@CorrineFor17.

“I worked with Corrine for five years in the retail sector ... she is so attentive to detail and is able to really engage with customers, clients, or whoever it may be,” said Jackie Johnson, who felt she needed to be at the launch in person to support her long-time friend. “I know what she stands for, and I know how driven she is. If someone is going to get the job done, it’s Corrine. She’s a really strong advocate and I support her 100%.”

The Wisconsin Democratic Primary election in 2026 for governor, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate and State Assembly will be held August 11. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.