The two Republican candidates for the 58th AD, which includes parts of West Bend and larger Washington County, say they are running to represent the classic conservative views their communities are built on.

Christopher Bossert, a Washington County board member, is up against Bernie Newman, president of Common Sense Citizens of Washington County, a constitutional conservatives voter group.

The seat is open after Rep. Rick Gundrum, R-Slinger, announced he would not run for reelection. Gundrum was first elected to the Assembly in 2018. The winner of the GOP primary will face Democrat Dennis Degenhardt.

Bossert, 53, who has served on the county board for the last 10 years, said his political experience can help him navigate divided government. Newman, 60, who worked in landscaping for over 30 years, said his experience working in the community helps him understand the lives of people in his district.

The two candidates have emphasized the need for more fiscal responsibility within state government and said the state should consider expanding the use of nuclear energy to help lower utility costs for Wisconsinites.

“We are a community that’s based on conservative values. We understand conservative values work, conservative principles work. We recognize that the problem with the government is not that they don’t tax enough, it’s that they spend too much, and we need to find ways to start reining in their spending,” Bossert said.

Additionally, both Bossert and Newman said they support local law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws. Bossert has been endorsed by Washington County Sheriff Marty Schulteis.

Both candidates said they are strong supporters of the Second Amendment and would oppose any state action that would infringe on those rights. Bossert specifically is against the implementation of red flag laws, while Newman supports constitutional carry.

Both candidates see the value in Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and larger conservation efforts but question the need to purchase more land, and take it off local tax rolls.

“There’s a lot of state properties that need some help just being managed, and if we bring down that stewardship fund quite a bit, and then put on there something for maintenance coming out of that same amount of money, there’s room for me to support something like that,” Newman said.

Where the two conservatives differ on policy matters is on regulation of data center developments, which both candidates say has been a key issue on the campaign trail.

Newman is calling for a 18-month to 2-year moratorium on these types of developments to allow time to institute regulations. While Bossert said he has concerns about data centers’ water use and impact on nearby farmland, he’s hesitant to support a moratorium due to his support of the free market.