Elected Experience: None
Why should voters elect you?
I am the right choice to serve as state senator for District 17 because I bring a lifetime of real-world experience, deep roots in this region, and a proven record of showing up for people. As a lifelong resident, a mother, and a grandmother, I understand what’s at stake for our families and future generations. For nearly four decades as a businesswoman, I’ve worked across this district — helping people build their homes, improve their communities, and make smart, responsible decisions with their money. I’ve traveled the entire 17th District, listening, learning, and solving problems. I don’t just talk about issues — I take action. I will bring that same work ethic, accountability, and commitment to representing every community in this district.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
We need a serious restructuring of how we fund public education and maintain our infrastructure. Right now, the burden falls far too heavily on local property taxpayers, especially in rural communities. The funding models we’re using are outdated, and they are holding us back — hurting our schools, our communities, and our future. When schools are underfunded, it limits opportunities for our kids and drives up costs elsewhere, from referendums to student debt. At the same time, families are struggling to afford homeownership while carrying more of the load. We need a fair, modern system that invests in education, supports communities, and ensures the next generation can succeed without being buried in debt.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
Local control over land use and zoning has become one of the clearest lessons of this campaign for me. When large corporations move in to use our land, water, and infrastructure without giving back to the people who actually live there, something is deeply broken. Communities must have the power to slow down or stop projects that steamroll their interests. At the same time, the state has a responsibility to modernize our funding formulas so they reflect today’s realities, and ensure every child — no matter their ZIP code — has access to strong public education without families being crushed by taxes or student debt. We also need smart investments in roads, broadband, and housing so staying in our communities feels like an opportunity, not a penalty.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
During World War II, Wisconsin quietly hosted several prisoner-of-war camps, and many residents never learned the full story. One notable site was Camp McCoy (now Fort McCoy), which held German, Italian, Polish, and Japanese prisoners and could house up to 5,000 people at its peak. Another was Camp Beaver Dam, a tent-city camp that held about 300 German POWs in the summer of 1944. Many of these prisoners worked on local farms and in canneries, helping fill labor shortages while getting a close look at everyday American life. After the war, a number of former POWs chose to return to the United States and eventually became American citizens, drawn back by the people and communities they had come to know.
