Van Stippen seeks to wrest control of the State Senate from Republicans

By Tim Wohlers



People should make their own decisions, and not let others control their lives.  Unfortunately, in the 12th Senate District of Wisconsin, the people do not control their fate.  Special interests do.  Such has been the harsh reality of the Northwoods since 2012, when republican Senator Tiffany was elected into office.  Looking to change the status quo, however, is former Ho-Chunk Nation tribal attorney and today’s democratic candidate Bryan Van Stippen. 
“I believe that the elected officials that we currently have in Madison are not representing the values that we have in the state of Wisconsin and the values that I grew up on,” Van Stippen said.  “Right now, we have politicians that continue to bring issues forward that are not in the best interest of their constituents.  And I believe that, as an elected official, you need to listen to the people of your district […] and help them with what their concerns are.” 
One of these concerns seems to be the steady removal of local control from county governments and common councils.  Sadly, over the last four years, this problem has repeatedly plagued residents of Wisconsin.  Slowly but surely, local organizations have lost their power.  Actually, the more accurate description would be that their power has been stripped away.  However, if he gets elected to Senate, Van Stippen vows to do his best to restore control to our local institutions. 
“They can actually make informed decisions and make the right decisions for the people in their area,” Van Stippen said.  “They’re the people that best know how to manage their communities.” 
Another issue in dire need of attention is state funding for public schools and infrastructure.  According to Van Stippen, Wisconsin currently fails to provide sufficient monetary support for the public education and transportation systems.  Obviously, if public schools are underfunded, students may not reach their full potential.  And if roadways prove inadequate for the amount of traffic in the area, then the tourism industry will suffer.  So to prevent these problems, the democratic candidate plans to ensure that both receive adequate funding. 
“We need to make sure that we’re supporting our public educational system,” Van Stippen said, “because that’s an economic investment within our students, and within the people of Wisconsin.  So once the kids get done with school, they have a solid education and they’re able to enter into the workforce.  And then, we also have an issue with the funding for our roads – especially up here, in northern Wisconsin, where there’s a lot of repair and maintenance that’s necessary.  And the funding has not been being brought back into the district.  And that is a major concern, as tourism is one of the biggest industries up in the Northwoods.  And ensuring we have viable roads and bridges is an important factor in ensuring that people can get around in the area and the tourists can get up here, and support the local economies.” 
The matter of insufficient funding for infrastructure, and for important programs like public schooling, greatly troubles Van Stippen.  The preposterous passage of unfavorable legislation deeply concerns him as well.  Yet, he takes issue with something even larger.  For he believes to have found the root of our problems.  According to him, all of these issues have resulted from a corrupt public official – republican Senator Tiffany. 
“My opinion is that he’s a bought-and-paid-for, special-interest politician that follows where the money lies rather than what the voice of the people and the district are stating that they want from an elected official,” Van Stippen said. 
To mend the current situation, Van Stippen plans to do something that Senator Tiffany has not.  He plans to listen to the people.  He plans to speak for them, and serve honorably.  He plans to fight for what is right, instead of fighting for special interests.  And he plans to restore integrity in the State Senate. 
“My big thing would be to bring the values back into politics,” Van Stippen said.  “The State Senate should be a body of elected officials that are representing the constituents that get them into office, and to ensure that the state is moving forward in a proper direction.” 
The primary election for Wisconsin’s State Legislature was held on Tuesday, August 9.  The vote narrowed the race for State Senate, which now lies between Democrat Bryan Van Stippen and Republican Senator Tom Tiffany.  Yet the weight of that election pales in comparison to the magnitude of the upcoming general election, which will take place on November 8 and determine who ultimately represents Wisconsin.  Van Stippen hopes that man is him.  But as always, he will let the voters decide. 


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