Three vie for 41st Assembly seat as printed in The Reporter

Ballweg, a business owner, has been serving the 41st Assembly District since she was first elected in 2004.
Neither of the challengers, Scott Milheiser or Jay Selthofner, have any political experience. The district is spread over 31 townships, including Ripon, Metomen and Alto and includes the city of Ripon and villages of Fairwater and Brandon.
Why are you the best candidate?

Ballweg: My background and varied experience is needed now more than ever. Business experience in organization, budgets, human resources, health and property insurance and more from the co-ownership of our own small business with my husband for over 34 years. My teaching experience, local government experience and six years in the Wisconsin Assembly also are valuable. Raising three children, community involvement, property owner and taxpayer, I understand the issues and challenges brought before the Legislature.

Milheiser: I’ll approach this responsibility with honesty and integrity, and I pledge to work with citizens in finding and implementing solutions to problems we all face.
Selthofner: I have developed many goals with mentors throughout my life. One goal high on the list is to do my civic duty by being elected to do something. From time to time, I pulled out that list and fortunately was able to cross many things off. I was taught to and asked by others to add items to my life’s agenda. During my work in the community, citizens of the district asked me to seek this particular seat.
If elected, how will you work to get Wisconsin financially back on track?
Ballweg: Reduce the size of government by reducing regulation and duplication. Wisconsin is ranked near the bottom in Forbes’ “Best States to do Business.” Red tape inhibits and prevents expansion. End fraud in programs such as Food Share and Wisconsin Shares (child-care subsidy). Greater accountability to be sure funds are used properly. Finally, our tax environment has caused lifelong Wisconsinites to change residence to friendlier states like Florida, Texas and Arizona. They’ve taken their investment capital, making Wisconsin very low in Angle Investment for entrepreneurs. These kinds of changes should allow us to live within our means and increase jobs.
Milheiser: In my role as vice president of my local union, I encounter problems on a daily basis. We sit down at the table and we negotiate a solution to the problem that is fair to everyone involved. I believe that same philosophy can and will work in Madison. I look forward to being an instrumental part of a Legislature willing to work together in everyone’s best interest. I’m expecting out of this next governor and Legislature a plan to retool most of state government, but specifically the Department of Commerce and the Department of Workforce Development. These are two agencies that have fallen apart over the last six years.

Selthofner: Comprehensive legislation regarding the marijuana plant will be part of the solution to getting our economy back on track. This will create jobs in many sectors, including: farming, manufacturing, transportation, production, medical research and tourism. Hemp is grown and processed much like corn or cotton, producing food, fuel and fiber products. Hemp Cannabis could be an alternative to alcohol, nicotine, pharmaceuticals, plastics, petroleum and more. Prohibition of marijuana for medical and recreational use is not working, is not tax effective and causes unwarranted expenses to citizens. Legalizing, regulating and taxing the marijuana industry would be more efficient.
sponsored ads do not necessarily reflect the viepoints of Jay Selthofner