Missy Hughes
Democrat
Viroqua
Elected Experience
None
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you the next governor of Wisconsin?
Right now Wisconsin needs leaders focused on results, not rhetoric. I have spent my entire career fighting for Wisconsinites and delivering real results, from helping save 1,600 family farms during my 17 years at Organic Valley, to creating over 45,000 jobs and helping 9,500 Wisconsinites start a small business when I served as Gov. Evers' head of Economic Development. I’m running for governor to deliver better jobs with higher paychecks, fix our broken healthcare system, and invest in our schools so that every family can get ahead. To move Wisconsin forward we need a governor with the experience and vision to improve the lives of Wisconsin families.
What is the top issue facing Wisconsinites and how would you address it?
Everywhere I go I hear from Wisconsinites about the exploding cost of living. Everything from healthcare to gas is getting more expensive, and for too many families their paychecks aren't keeping up. As governor I will be laser focused on growing wages, and lowering the costs of the fundamentals: housing, healthcare, and childcare by bringing in targeted state investments. No matter what happens in Washington, and the chaos and the corruption of the Trump administration, as governor I’ll fight everyday to make sure Wisconsin families have the money in their pocket to build a better life.
What is the top policy goal you would like to accomplish in your first 100 days in office?
My top priority for my first 100 days will be to lay the foundation of my Unlock Wisconsin agenda, including expanding badgercare and creating a public option so that every Wisconsinite can buy into the system. Invest in our public schools by finally fixing the broken school funding formula. Expanding the Wisconsin shares program to cap the cost of childcare at 7% of a family's income. Laying the pathway to building 200,000 homes in my first term in office. And restarting, and expanding, my Main Street Bounce Back program to create 50,000 new small businesses in my first term.
What kind of relationship should Wisconsin’s governor have with the federal government?
As governor I’ll fight anyone who tries to make life harder for Wisconsinites, including the federal government and the Trump administration. But I’ll never let politics get in the way of delivering for Wisconsinites. I’ll work with the federal government where I can, I will fight them where I need to. But above all else I will be focused on strengthening Wisconsin so that we are as self reliant as possible.
How would you approach working with the Legislature if there are Republicans in power in one or both chambers?
As governor I’ll be focused on delivering real results for Wisconsin families, and work with anyone who is willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work. If Republicans hold onto one or both of the chambers this November I’ll be clear about my vision for Wisconsin, where we focus on getting more people better jobs, build the housing we need to help young Wisconsinites stay in Wisconsin and start families of their own, and fix the broken healthcare system that is holding too many communities back. These are not red or blue issues, these are Wisconsin issues, and I will do everything in my power to deliver real results to them.
How would you approach working with the Legislature if there are Democrats in power in one or both chambers?
Fair maps have made a trifecta within our reach for the first time in a generation, and I am confident that this November Wisconsinites will elect Democratic majorities in the State Senate and State Assembly. Together we will be able to deliver real change for Wisconsin. For the past 8 years Gov. Evers has done an incredible job defending Wisconsinites rights from GOP attacks, and with a democratic trifecta we will be able to turn the page from this era of dysfunction in Madison and finally invest back into the people of Wisconsin.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
Many folks don’t know that Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the 19th amendment enshrining women’s right to vote into the U.S. Constitution. Wisconsin has a rich history of advancing women’s rights and freedoms, but has yet to elect a woman to the governor’s seat. This November we have the opportunity to change that.