MADISON, Wis. — The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, today endorsed Tim Michels for governor, Eric Toney for attorney general and numerous candidates for the Legislature in the November election.

Key to the association’s support for Michels is his business sense, regulatory perspective and openness to hearing from dairy farmers, DBA President Amy Penterman said.

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“Tim Michels is a businessman who understands that dairy farming is a business and that growth for this industry is vital to the economic well-being of our state,” Penterman said. “Farmers underpin a $45 billion portion of Wisconsin’s economy. Our farms need to flourish if we are to protect that.

“Michels also knows the importance of regulatory certainty to farmers’ ability to plan and grow,” she said. “And he realizes how impractical regulations can stifle innovation. Environmental sustainability is a prime example. With flexibility to integrate new technologies, our farmers could accelerate their progress in protecting water quality. 

“Michels also is open to welcoming farmers to the table for discussions about issues that affect dairy,” Penterman said. “Maintaining open and honest communication with the agricultural community will bring better opportunities, more effective solutions to challenges and a brighter future for Wisconsin.”

The association also announced its endorsement of Eric Toney for attorney general.

“Eric Toney is single-minded in his approach to regulation and following the law. This is welcome, and refreshing, for farmers, many of whom have felt the damaging effects of regulatory overreach,” Penterman said. “DBA is confident Mr. Toney will ensure regulators follow the intent of the Legislature and stay within the scope of statutes when writing and enforcing administrative rules. It is essential that Wisconsin have common-sense regulations that are fairly applied if we are to keep farms from leaving or closing.”

The announcements came after the DBA board of directors finalized its list of endorsements today at World Dairy Expo. The board earlier had heard from members and had meetings with the candidates.

DBA is also endorsing 74 candidates seeking election to the state Legislature.  

“The candidates we are supporting have demonstrated dedication to supporting Wisconsin’s dairy farmers,” Penterman said. “They show an understanding of our key issues and a commitment to addressing them.” 

Seventeen state Senate seats are up for election this year. DBA has made endorsements in 14 of those races. Listed by district, they are: 

1ST— Andre Jacque, R-DePere
5th — Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield
9th — Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg
11th — Steve Nass, R-Whitewater
13th — John Jagler, R-Watertown
15th — Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit
17th — Marklein, R-Spring Green
19th — Rachel Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton
23rd — Jesse James, R-Altoona
25th — Romaine Quinn, R-Rice Lake
27th — Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton
29th — Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee
31st — Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick
33rd — Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield 

All 99 seats in the Assembly are up for election. DBA is making endorsements of candidates in a wide range of races, grouped here by region of the state:

Northeast 

1st — Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay
2nd — Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers
3rd — Ron Tusler, R-Harrison
4th — Dave Steffen, R-Green Bay
5th — Joy Goeben, R-Hobart
25th — Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc
26th — Terry Katsma, R-Oostburg
27th — Amy Binsfield, R- Sheboygan
40th — Kevin Peterson, R-Waupaca
52nd — Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac
55th — Nate Gustafson, R-Neenah
56th — Dave Murphy, R-Greenville
88th — John Macco, R-Ledgeview
89th — Elijah Behnke, R-Oconto  

Milwaukee 

12th — LaKeshia Myers, D-Milwaukee
18th — Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee
21st — Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek 

Northwest 

28th — Gae Magnafici, R-Dresser
29th — Clint Moses, R-Menomonie
30th — Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Falls
67th — Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer
68th — Karen Hurd, R-Fall Creek
69th — Dana Rozar, R-Marshfield
75th — David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake
92nd — Treig Pronschinske R-Mondovi
93rd — Warren Petryk, R-Town of Washington 

North-central 

34th — Rob Swearingen, R-Rhinelander
35th — Calvin Callahan, R-Tomahawk
36th — Jeff Mursau, R-Crivitz
70th — Nancy VanderMeer, R-Tomah
71st — Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point
72nd — Scott Krug, R-Nekoosa
85th — Pat Snyder, R-Schofield
86th — John Spiros, R- Marshfield
87th — James Edming, R-Glen Flora 

South-central 

31st — Ellen Schutt, R-Clinton
33rd — Don Vruwink, D-Milton
37th — William Penterman, R-Columbus
38th — Barb Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc
39th — Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam
41st — Alex Dallman, R-Green Lake
42nd — Jon Plumer, R-Lodi
43rd — Jenna Jacobson, D-Oregon
45th — Clinton Anderson, D-Beloit
46th — Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove
79th — Alex Joers, D-Middleton
81st — Dave Considine, D-Baraboo 

Southwest 

49th — Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City
50th — Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc
51st — Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville
80th — Mike Bare, D-Verona
94th — Steve Doyle, D-Onalaska
96th — Loren Oldenburg, R-Viroqua 

Southeast 

32nd — Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva
59th — Ty Bodden, R-Hilbert
60th — Rob Brooks, R-Saukville
61st — Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie
63rd — Robin Vos, R-Rochester
66th — Greta Neubauer, D-Racine
83rd — Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego

Images: 

DBA endorsement logo

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Dairy Business Association @DairyForward announces endorsement of Tim Michels for governor, Eric Toney for AG, legislative candidates

About DBA:

The Dairy Business Association is Wisconsin’s leading dairy lobby group, championing smart and sensible regulations affecting the dairy community. The nonprofit organization is comprised of farmers, milk processors, vendors and other business partners who work collaboratively to ensure that dairy farms of all sizes have the support they need to keep America’s Dairyland strong. More information: www.dairyforward.com.

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