Incumbent Chanz Green is looking to hold off Scott Harbridge in a rematch for the Republican nomination in northern Wisconsin’s 74th AD. 

Green, a tavern owner from Mason, was first elected to the Assembly in 2022 and wants to continue his work. While Harbridge, who served in the Army and worked as a sergeant for the Department of Corrections, wants to challenge the “status quo” in Madison.

“I feel like I’ve done a lot of good. We brought the biggest investment to northern Wisconsin in state history this session. We passed quite a few tax cuts this session, and I’m looking forward to the next session,” Green said.

Green authored the Forestry Revitalization Act that authorized $120 million in tax credits and supported a biorefinery project in Hayward.

Green won 56.4% of votes to Harbridge’s 43.3% in their matchup in the 2024 primary election to represent the largely rural district that includes Ashland, Bayfield, Iron and Sawyer counties.

Harbridge, who resides in Radisson, said he’s running in part to represent his community that still does things the “old” way.

“I’m a Christian conservative, and I’m going down to Madison because I want to do things differently. I want to represent the people I love. The people up here in northwestern Wisconsin are awesome. It’s kind of like the old way of life, people still help people, and that’s how stuff’s supposed to be,” Harbridge said.

The two agree on a number of policy issues, such as the need to add more tax cuts and local law enforcement supporting federal immigration enforcement efforts. The two also agree that conversation on renewal of the Knowles Nelson Stewardship fund should return this session, though efforts should focus on maintenance of public lands rather than acquisition.

Their starkest difference comes in their stances on the $1.8 billion surplus package and expansion of online gambling in Wisconsin.

Green voted in favor of the $1.8 billion surplus deal that would have provided additional funding for special education and sent tax rebates to Wisconsinites, saying it would have provided “immediate relief” if passed.

Harbridge, on the other hand, said he wouldn’t have voted for the package and said funding for special education should have been considered independently.

“And the reason why I wouldn’t have voted for it is because all that money to me should have been given back to the people. …If you fail to deal with (special education funding), and then you want to throw them on the bill, and then you wonder why you don’t get it passed. But I guess that’s kind of business as usual down in Madison,” Harbridge said.

Harbridge said he is vehemently against the expansion of online gambling in Wisconsin and has concerns over its addictive nature and potential social seclusion.

Green, meanwhile, co-sponsored a bill to legalize online sports betting that was passed into law. He said there is still more work to be done though, specifically on regulations surrounding youth and gambling.

“I think it is an opportunity for our tribes to increase revenue and and prosper in northern Wisconsin,’’ Green said. “We’ll continue to work to make sure people are protected, but they can still have their fun in the way that they like to.’’

The two also differ slightly on the role of state regulation of data centers, but both agree measures should be taken to protect utility ratepayers and control water usage.

Harbridge said a moratorium on new data center developments should be considered for lawmakers to understand proper regulatory measures. Green said “the cat’s out of the bag” already with data center developments popping up across the state, but would like to see some guardrails implemented.

Green highlighted the removal of utility taxes as a way he’s helped reduce everyday costs for constituents but noted they are not “cure-alls.” He said he’d like to work with his friend Tom Tiffany in the governor’s office to find other ways to address affordability.

Harbridge called for further audits to look at where taxpayer dollars are spent across the state and see what savings can be found. He also is adama