By Press Times Staff

SUAMICO – A village trustee said he wants to “be a voice for the people” in the 89th Assembly District and is running in this spring’s special election as a Republican.

Michael Schneider describes himself as a “blue-collar conservative” who wants to represent people throughout the district and address the issues they face.

“My wife and I have lived in the 89th (Assembly) District for over 16 years raising our two children, who are now a junior in high school and a junior at UW-Green Bay,” he said. “I’m a former law enforcement officer from a neighboring county who moved here to start teaching, and I’m very supportive of veteran rights as I’m a veteran myself (in the) U.S. Army Military Police for 8 years.”

As a village trustee for six years, former union representative and shop steward, Schneider said he believes he would provide the district with experience in governmental budgeting, good stewardship in keeping government transparent and accountable, as well as being accessible to constituents.

“As your 89th Assembly person, I will continue to serve all of those in the district, I will be more visible in the community to hear your concerns, and be an advocate for all of us in Madison,” he said.

Schneider said the COVID-19 pandemic “has made us re-evaluate our own health.”

“I support an individual’s right to either wear/not wear a mask just as much as I support a business making their own decision on this topic,” he said. “We are a nation of laws and individual rights – if you feel you are in a category that is at-risk, you need to take every precaution you feel that is needed. And as someone that is very close to education, I know they have a difficult job and need our help.”

If elected to represent the 89th Assembly District, which has different issues in Brown, Oconto and Marinette counties, Schneider said he wants to “continue to highlight what we have to offer while still maintaining our rural charm.”

A special election is being held this spring after the 14-year incumbent, Marinette Republican John Nygren, resigned last month to become executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans.

Five candidates – four Republicans, Schneider, Elijah Behnke, Michael Kunesh and Debbie Jacques, and one Democrat, Karl Jaeger – registered their campaigns with the Wisconsin Elections Commission prior to the Friday, Jan. 8, filing deadline to run in the special election.

The partisan primary to narrow the field of candidates is scheduled for Feb. 16, prior to the April 6 general election with the winner finishing out the remainder of the two-year term in office Nygren vacated after he was re-elected last November.