Jeff Smith
State senator
Democrat
Town of Brunswick
Elected Experience
Wisconsin State Senate (2018-present); Wisconsin State Assembly (2006-2010); Town of Brunswick Board Chair (2001-2007)
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you?
My experience has proven to be a benefit to me as a former small business owner and my time in the legislature. As a lifelong resident of my district, I think I have a better than average knowledge of what matters to people living in western Wisconsin.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
We recently suffered the closures of two hospitals in my district and access to the health care people need became preeminent to many families who may not have had that struggle before. We have made that the top area in which my office has been focused since those closures.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
There is not enough space here to address how all the ways we should but I'll try. People have the right to know what ALL legislators offer. Currently, the majority party buries every bill offered by Democrats and never allows a public hearing including those bills. In the state Senate they don't have in-person executive hearings where we could debate bills and offer amendments. Bills are sent to our offices via paper ballot and we only vote in committee that way. In-person debate in the public eye matters.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
One of the most famous stories from the Civil War is about the soldiers from Wisconsin that brought an Eagle into battle with them. The eagle Old Abe would circle the battlefield and return to the division after. After the war he was adopted by the legislature and lived in the Capitol until his death. A representative Old Abe is still perched in the Assembly chambers of Wisconsin. That eagle came from Eau Claire, my hometown, and Ol Abe is the mascot of one of our high schools.