David Varnam
Stay-at-home dad
Republican
Lancaster
Elected Experience
Lancaster mayor (2016-2022); Lancaster City Council (2013-2016)
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you as lieutenant governor?
We can all think of politicians that said what they would do if elected, then after being elected seemed to do the opposite. When I ran for Mayor of Lancaster in 2016, I ran as a fiscal conservative. When I left office in 2022 after serving three terms, Lancaster had the lowest property taxes and lowest utility fees of any city in Grant County. I was the first Mayor of Lancaster in over 20 years to use the veto, and I used it multiple times including to veto a 40% stormwater fee increase. I broke a tie to defeat a “wheel tax.” I did what I told voters I would do. I am endorsed by Wisconsin Family Action PAC and Pro-Life Wisconsin PAC.
How would you make the lieutenant governor’s office more visible and effective?
I am running for lieutenant governor, hoping to work with Congressman Tom Tiffany to make Wisconsin a leader in the Midwest again. I have traveled to all corners of our state since announcing my candidacy in late September, driving more than 45,000 miles and visiting more than 60 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. Together we can be bold on lowering taxes, cutting red tape, shrinking the size of government, protect the sanctity of life, and keep men out of women's sports and their bathrooms. We need to improve our education system and the opportunities it provides our children. I will work to give parents a choice and a voice in education, and work to raise test scores, standards and expectations for our students.
What expertise would you bring to the lieutenant governor’s office and how would it help Wisconsinites?
My unique background as a former rural mayor, former federal policy analyst for Dr. James Dobson at Focus on the Family, and as a former housing, water, and transportation district aide to a member of Congress sets me apart. I will be able to use my wide breadth of knowledge to advise a governor Tom Tiffany and to advocate for his accomplishments with the media, groups, and individuals throughout the state.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
The first governor of Wisconsin, Nelson Dewey, was from Lancaster.