Several area candidates attended the Shawano Dems July monthly membership meeting last night. The candidates were invited to the virtual meeting to speak about why they are running for their particular office and what their positions on various issues are if they are elected.

The first speaker was Ed Vocke. Vocke comes from a small business in the Minocqua area and is running for the State Senate seat in District 12.  He says he decided to run because he was tired of what Tom Tiffany was doing. He outlined four main concerns he has that he feels are important that affect the citizens of Northern Wisconsin:

1. Clean Water and mining.
2. Broadband Internet in rural areas
3. Untie Healthcare from employment
4. Nonpartisan redistricting

Our second speaker was Simon Moesch. Simon is 22 years old and decided to run to forward the voices of the younger generation in District 6 of the State Assembly.  Important issues to him include:

1. Increase the minimum wage to $8.00 per hour
2. Increase school funding
3. Curriculum Reform in our schools
4. Increase resources to our Veterans

The night’s last speaker was Richard Sarnwick. Sarnwick was a Medical Physician in our area and is also running for State Assembly District 6. He says he is running because: “He believes in having a Progressive Wisconsin again”. He believes Walker and the Republicans destroyed the Teachers Unions as well as other State Unions, had the Foxconn deal and refused the money for the high-speed rail system. Sarnwick’s concerns include:

1. Healthcare – He would like to expand BadgerCare
2. Rural High-Speed Internet, full coverage at an affordable price.

 Since he retired in January he says he can dedicate full-time to the position.

Note: The meeting opened up with the introduction of Aiden Johnson, Regional Communications Associate who spoke to the group about his duties and some of the plans for the future.