Reive Pullen
Small business owner
Republican
Appleton
Elected Experience
None
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you?
Voters in the district have made it very clear to me. They want a government that works and isn't filled with partisanship. As a United States Marine, small business owner, and former 911 dispatcher, I've spent my life dedicated to solving problems and serving the public. I'm new to politics and have no interest in partaking in the theatrics and posturing that is modern-day politics. While other candidates are running with the sole focus of putting their political party in the majority, my focus is on returning civility to politics and being respectful to everyone, so that once I'm elected, it won't matter which party is in the majority for me to be effective in representing the Fox Valley.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
The school funding formula needs to be addressed, which will in turn help keep local property taxpayers from having to foot the bill every time the Appleton Area School District needs more money because we are getting less from the state in comparison to other districts. The funding formula was created in 1993, is overly complex, and has a lot of variables that need to be dialed in. Fixing this will be one of my top priorities upon being elected, and I will work to advocate for a simpler and more fair funding formula to ensure the Appleton Area School District is in a secure financial position for years to come.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
The government needs to be effective while representing its citizens, which is why I believe it is in the best interest of the people of Wisconsin for their elected representatives to have a voice by allowing bills to be heard in committee, regardless of what party the author is in or who holds the majority. By the same token, I believe we need to get away from gerrymandering and continuously redistricting our maps. I have talked to many constituents who believe their representative is actually a neighboring representative because of how frequently our maps have changed in Wisconsin.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
Right from my district, Appleton is home to one of the world's first-ever hydroelectric power plants, which was built in 1882 using a new generator system developed by Thomas Edison, and provided power to both homes and mills in the Fox Valley. That same drive to innovate is still a big part of what makes the Fox Valley special today.