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Waelti Announces Candidacy for Wisconsin Assembly
Education, economic development, healthcare highlighted
as priorities for 80th District
MONROE, Wis., Jan. 28, 2008 – Economist and Green County native John Waelti on Sunday formally announced his candidacy for Wisconsin’s 80th Assembly District. The 80th Assembly District encompasses Green County and parts of Lafayette, Dane and Rock Counties. Surrounded by family, friends and dozens of supporters at Monroe’s historic Turner Hall, Waelti outlined a campaign platform focusing on education, healthcare and economic development.
“Farm life in Green County is where I established my values of thrift and hard work,” said Waelti. “I was educated in Monroe public schools, which paved the way for opportunities later in life. Wisconsin is a leader in education, but we can do better. We need to address K-12 financing mechanisms that force public school districts to revert to divisive referenda. We must also ensure that our UW system maximizes its contribution to Wisconsin’s quality of life, and that our technical colleges provide the skills necessary for today’s economy and future economic growth.”
While stressing that many problems facing American workers require federal action, Waelti said that state legislators must also press for solutions. “While the national economy has grown and productivity has increased, median incomes have languished,” said Waelti. “That's not how American democratic capitalism is supposed to work. People are anxious over health care costs. Too many people are but one illness or accident away from economic devastation.”
Following graduation from Monroe High School and three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Waelti obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. After earning advanced degrees in economics from the University of Arizona and the University of California, Waelti served as an economist at the University of Minnesota and New Mexico State University for more than 30 years.
Waelti also spent a year at the Pentagon as economic advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). He spent two years teaching in Kenya and four years in academic administration in Oman. “Education and public policy have been my life,” said Waelti. “It's in my blood.”
When Waelti returned to Monroe, he quickly found himself involved in local government. In 2005 he was appointed, and in 2006 subsequently elected, to the Monroe Board of Education. He was later appointed by Monroe town chair Allie Mayer to the Township Smart Growth Committee, and by Governor Jim Doyle to the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
Waelti sees himself as a consensus seeker and a coalition builder—qualities he believes essential to be an effective legislator. “Politics in the best sense of the word is the art of the possible,” he said. “I’m less interested in partisan politics than I am in getting something done.
Waelti’s daughter, Kara, is a registered nurse in Madison employed by Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin. His son, John, is a former broadcaster and currently a corporate communications professional. His wife, Sherry, is well known in Monroe as the former owner of Merle Norman Studio on Monroe’s square.
Daphne Newman Stassin of Brodhead will serve as Waelti’s campaign manager, and former Evansville mayor Janis Ringhand will serve as campaign treasurer.
Media Contacts
Campaign Headquarters
(608) 325-4847
Waelti Announces Candidacy for Wisconsin Assembly
Education, economic development, healthcare highlighted
as priorities for 80th District
MONROE, Wis., Jan. 28, 2008 – Economist and Green County native John Waelti on Sunday formally announced his candidacy for Wisconsin’s 80th Assembly District. The 80th Assembly District encompasses Green County and parts of Lafayette, Dane and Rock Counties. Surrounded by family, friends and dozens of supporters at Monroe’s historic Turner Hall, Waelti outlined a campaign platform focusing on education, healthcare and economic development.
“Farm life in Green County is where I established my values of thrift and hard work,” said Waelti. “I was educated in Monroe public schools, which paved the way for opportunities later in life. Wisconsin is a leader in education, but we can do better. We need to address K-12 financing mechanisms that force public school districts to revert to divisive referenda. We must also ensure that our UW system maximizes its contribution to Wisconsin’s quality of life, and that our technical colleges provide the skills necessary for today’s economy and future economic growth.”
While stressing that many problems facing American workers require federal action, Waelti said that state legislators must also press for solutions. “While the national economy has grown and productivity has increased, median incomes have languished,” said Waelti. “That's not how American democratic capitalism is supposed to work. People are anxious over health care costs. Too many people are but one illness or accident away from economic devastation.”
Following graduation from Monroe High School and three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Waelti obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. After earning advanced degrees in economics from the University of Arizona and the University of California, Waelti served as an economist at the University of Minnesota and New Mexico State University for more than 30 years.
Waelti also spent a year at the Pentagon as economic advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). He spent two years teaching in Kenya and four years in academic administration in Oman. “Education and public policy have been my life,” said Waelti. “It's in my blood.”
When Waelti returned to Monroe, he quickly found himself involved in local government. In 2005 he was appointed, and in 2006 subsequently elected, to the Monroe Board of Education. He was later appointed by Monroe town chair Allie Mayer to the Township Smart Growth Committee, and by Governor Jim Doyle to the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
Waelti sees himself as a consensus seeker and a coalition builder—qualities he believes essential to be an effective legislator. “Politics in the best sense of the word is the art of the possible,” he said. “I’m less interested in partisan politics than I am in getting something done.
Waelti’s daughter, Kara, is a registered nurse in Madison employed by Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin. His son, John, is a former broadcaster and currently a corporate communications professional. His wife, Sherry, is well known in Monroe as the former owner of Merle Norman Studio on Monroe’s square.
Daphne Newman Stassin of Brodhead will serve as Waelti’s campaign manager, and former Evansville mayor Janis Ringhand will serve as campaign treasurer.
1 Comments:
Pardon my lack of state legislature knowledge but who currently holds this seat. Is it a Republican? A Democrat? Will it be vacant for the election? I need more Mr. Kiefer!
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