Dennis D. Degenhardt
Retired
Democrat
West Bend
Elected Experience
None
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you?
Voters should elect me because I am the strongest candidate working for the everyday people. Republicans put the rich, wealthy individuals, large corporations and corporate farms first while mostly ignoring the needs of working people, middle class and family farms. As a credit union professional, I had a career fully following the founding principal and primary credit union tenet, people helping people. I will continue doing the same as the representative for the 59th Assembly District, fighting to protect their rights and stop the give aways to those who need them the least, the rich benefactors of the GOP.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
Funding public schools is becoming more difficult as money is diverted to charter schools. With higher income eligibility and statewide expansion, the state is now supporting two parallel school systems — an approach that is not sustainable. This is especially harmful to rural districts, which have fewer alternatives. Wisconsin’s school funding formula, largely unchanged since the 1990s, needs a major overhaul. Public schools also need more support for students with special needs, particularly because charter schools often do not serve those students.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
While collecting signatures for nomination, I often heard why don't the two parties work together? I agree. Why? The people of Wisconsin cannot move forward when nothing is getting done. To do so, I will strive to find a way to compromise, finding common ground and understanding our opponents and constituents’ needs. We serve the people of Wisconsin, not the parties. Also, I will have regular in-district meetings to hear from constituents, not ducking doing so because there may be negative comments.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
Once upon a time in a land named Wisconsin, margarin, called oleo in those days, was banned from being sold in the state. But it was smuggled in from Illinois on oleo runs by family and friends. My family couldn't afford butter and participated. Oleo was white and came in 8 oz pouches with yellow dye sacs to make it look like butter. As kids, we would fight to knead the bag turning the oleo yellow. And with family who were dairy farmers in the middle of the state, we could never tell them because oleo was forbidden, my first education on pressure. Today there is a similar situation with Spotted Cow runs to neighboring states since the beer is only sold in Wisconsin.