MADISON - Standing before a group of supporters and local media former Monroe native Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, took the first official step toward seeking a political step up this year.
On Monday, he announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor in the State Capitol Assembly Parlor.
"We need a new kind of lieutenant governor; one who focuses on rooting out fraud and abuse," Davis said.
Davis was at ease as he announced he was seeking higher office and telling the voters why he would be the best candidate.
"I have more experience about what the lieutenant governor needs to do," he said. "I'll hit the ground running."
Davis has three opponents in the Sept. 14 primary, Superior Mayor Dave Ross, Ben Collins and Rebecca Kleefisch.
He's already traveled across the state to talk to people who are concerned about their futures, he said. Seniors have told him they're worried they won't be able to pay their taxes and will have to move out of their homes; families have told him they worry about the economy; and small business owners have said government prohibits them from expanding their businesses.
"I've seen the anxiety on the faces of many people," he said. "It's time to get government out of our lives."
Davis said the state spends too much and, as a result, taxes too much. He said the state needs to lower the tax burdens for families and businesses.
To lower taxes the state needs to reign in spending, Davis said.
The lieutenant governor's office can look at state spending to find ways to cut costs. Davis said he will be aggressive when it comes to looking for ways to cut government waste. He promised to help cut $40 million in state spending in his first year in office.
As an example of government waste, he pointed to the fact there are thousands of Wisconsin highway maps available, and yet the state plans to print thousands more. He said it was just one example of the state spending more money than needed.
"We need strong leadership. Wasteful spending needs to stop," he said.
Families and businesses struggle to save money and they wonder why government doesn't, he said.
According to Davis' campaign, he's voted 126 times to cut taxes since he first took office in 2005.
Davis has represented the 80th Assembly district, which includes Green County and portions of Dane, Rock and Lafayette counties since 2004.
Davis is a graduate of Monroe High School and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
He served as a legislative aide to State Rep. Mike Powers, State Sen. Joe Leibham and former governor and United States Health and Human Services secretary Tommy Thompson.
Davis' current committee assignments include Education, Financial Institutions, Renewable Energy and Rural Affairs, and Rural Economic Development.
On Monday, he announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor in the State Capitol Assembly Parlor.
"We need a new kind of lieutenant governor; one who focuses on rooting out fraud and abuse," Davis said.
Davis was at ease as he announced he was seeking higher office and telling the voters why he would be the best candidate.
"I have more experience about what the lieutenant governor needs to do," he said. "I'll hit the ground running."
Davis has three opponents in the Sept. 14 primary, Superior Mayor Dave Ross, Ben Collins and Rebecca Kleefisch.
He's already traveled across the state to talk to people who are concerned about their futures, he said. Seniors have told him they're worried they won't be able to pay their taxes and will have to move out of their homes; families have told him they worry about the economy; and small business owners have said government prohibits them from expanding their businesses.
"I've seen the anxiety on the faces of many people," he said. "It's time to get government out of our lives."
Davis said the state spends too much and, as a result, taxes too much. He said the state needs to lower the tax burdens for families and businesses.
To lower taxes the state needs to reign in spending, Davis said.
The lieutenant governor's office can look at state spending to find ways to cut costs. Davis said he will be aggressive when it comes to looking for ways to cut government waste. He promised to help cut $40 million in state spending in his first year in office.
As an example of government waste, he pointed to the fact there are thousands of Wisconsin highway maps available, and yet the state plans to print thousands more. He said it was just one example of the state spending more money than needed.
"We need strong leadership. Wasteful spending needs to stop," he said.
Families and businesses struggle to save money and they wonder why government doesn't, he said.
According to Davis' campaign, he's voted 126 times to cut taxes since he first took office in 2005.
Davis has represented the 80th Assembly district, which includes Green County and portions of Dane, Rock and Lafayette counties since 2004.
Davis is a graduate of Monroe High School and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
He served as a legislative aide to State Rep. Mike Powers, State Sen. Joe Leibham and former governor and United States Health and Human Services secretary Tommy Thompson.
Davis' current committee assignments include Education, Financial Institutions, Renewable Energy and Rural Affairs, and Rural Economic Development.