Voters will have their pick among Republicans Katie Baney, Barbara Bittner, Nic Cravillion and Jacob VandenPlas in the Aug. 11 primary election.

The winner will face independent candidate Mark Becker in the Nov. 3 election.

The 1st Senate District includes Door and Kewaunee counties and parts of Brown, Manitowoc, Calumet and Outagamie counties.

The candidates shared their histories, reasons for running and what they’re hearing from constituents in a questionnaire for the NEW News Lab. Their answers have been edited for clarity, grammar, style and length.

Katie Baney

Please include relevant background information, such as your education, work and prior experience in elected office. Please be specific.

I grew up in the De Pere / Ledgeview area. My father is retired Navy and worked in the local paper and plastics industry. My mom is a retired nurse and special education aide. I graduated from De Pere High School and UW-Madison.

I have spent the past 15 years advocating for conservative policies on the state and national level. I worked in the U.S. Senate on the Committee for Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs under Chairman Ron Johnson. I worked in various roles for Speaker Paul Ryan in the U.S. House of Representatives. I also worked for Chairman Mike Rogers in the U.S. House of Representatives on the Committee for Homeland Security.

For the past five years I have worked in the private sector for Delta Defense LLC, the service provider for the United States Concealed Carry Association advocating for firearm training, education and our Second Amendment rights. In this role, I have existed at the intersection of business and government while working tirelessly to preserve our constitutional rights.
This is my first time running for elected office. I want to leverage my experience and skills to serve the people of northeast Wisconsin. My husband, Drew, and I have two children, who are the greatest blessing of my life.

What are constituents telling you are the main issues they’re facing?
Cost of living is often the top issue I hear from voters as I travel across northeast Wisconsin. Whether it’s utility bills, property taxes or hospital bills, families are struggling to afford it month to month. The 400 year property tax increase is hurting seniors on fixed incomes and pricing out younger families from homeownership. People want relief and they want Madison legislators to fight to reduce costs. I also hear from parents who are deeply concerned about their kids and their school. Public education is broken. We are spending more for worse outcomes with less and less accountability for taxpayer dollars.

What are the two main issues you see?
The greatest issue I see is the rise of socialism in the Wisconsin Democratic party. Madison liberals believe they know best and their answer to every problem is a new government program and more spending. Bureaucrats believe they know your child better than you do and should dictate private health decisions. Socialism and communism are being championed by Wisconsin Democrats and it is an existential threat to our midwestern way of life, from the family farm to the small business to our local parish.

Why should somebody vote for you?

As you decide who to vote for in this race, I’d urge you to ask: Who can deliver real results for Republicans on day one? I’ve spent my career in and around the legislative process. I’ve written bills, counted votes and beat opposition in policy fights. I’m also the candidate who can carry the argument and articulate conservative ideas clearly, and factually without flinching. As a mom, I can promise no one will fight harder for Wisconsin families to ensure our state is safe, free and prosperous for the next generation.

Barbara Bittner

Please include relevant background information, such as your education, work and prior experience in elected office. Please be specific.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Oshkosh. Work: Bittner Farms, Inc.; BAKA Enterprises, Inc., co-founder/co-owner/chief operating officer; BAKA Core Training Centers, LLC, co-owner/instructor.

What are constituents telling you are the main issues they’re facing?

The concerns I hear most often start with affordability. Families are feeling the impact of rising property taxes, higher prices at the grocery store, increasing utility costs and the overall cost of living.

Parents are also talking about education. They want strong schools focused on academics, they want meaningful school choice and they want their parental rights respected. Many have concerns about curriculum and materials they believe are not age-appropriate and want parents to have a greater voice in their children’s education.

I also hear a great deal about workforce shortages. Health care providers, schools, manufacturers, farmers and small business owners all tell me they’re struggling to find and retain qualified workers, which affects services, productivity and economic growth.
Finally, many voters continue to express concerns about election integrity. They want confidence that elections are secure, transparent and conducted fairly so that every eligible vote counts and the public can trust the results.

What are the two main issues you see?

The two biggest issues I hear about are affordability and education. Affordability affects nearly every family. People are concerned about rising property taxes, inflation, the cost of groceries, utilities and housing. Young families and first-time homebuyers are finding it increasingly difficult to afford a home, and in many communities the lack of available housing makes it harder for employers to attract and retain workers.

The second issue I hear repeatedly is education and parental rights. Parents want schools focused on academics and preparing students for success. They want their values and religious beliefs respected, meaningful school choice and to remain the primary decision-makers in their children’s lives. Many parents have expressed concerns about age-appropriate classroom materials, policies that allow biological males in girls’ bathrooms, locker rooms, sports and other private spaces and school practices that they believe exclude parents from important decisions involving their children. Above all, they want transparency, partnership with schools and confidence that their children are learning in a safe environment.

Why should somebody vote for you?
Voters should support me because I’m not a career politician — I’m a farmer, a small business owner and someone who has spent my life serving others. I grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, built and operated businesses that served our communities for nearly 20 years, and have firsthand experience navigating government regulations, managing budgets, creating jobs and solving real-world problems.

I understand the challenges families, farmers, workers and small business owners face because I’ve lived them. I know what rising taxes, burdensome regulations and workforce shortages mean for our communities, and I’ll work to make northeastern Wisconsin a place where people can thrive, not just survive.

Just as importantly, I’ll be honest with the people I represent. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll do the work to learn it by listening to constituents, stakeholders and experts before making decisions. I won’t make promises I can’t keep, and I won’t compromise my principles for political convenience. My commitment is simple: to be a thoughtful, accessible and accountable public servant who listens first, stands up for the values of the people I represent and always puts the interests of northeastern Wisconsin ahead of politics.

Nic Cravillion

Please include relevant background information, such as your education, work and prior experience in elected office. Please be specific.

I am a northeast Wisconsin native with family roots in the area dating back to the 1850s. I was born and raised in New Franken, where I grew up on my family’s dairy farm and learned the values of hard work, faith, responsibility and service. I am an Army combat veteran and have proudly served in the military for more than 15 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan. I continue to serve in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a drill sergeant.
Professionally, I have spent more than seven years serving the people of northeast Wisconsin in the Legislature. I currently serve as the district director for state Sen. André Jacque after previously serving as the district outreach representative for state Sen. Roger Roth. In these roles, I have worked directly with constituents, local governments, businesses and community organizations to solve problems and navigate state government.

I also own and operate a small business serving the RV industry. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where I majored in public administration, political science and democracy and justice studies. I have not previously held elected office. This campaign represents my first opportunity to seek public office.

What are constituents telling you are the main issues they’re facing?
The message I hear most often from constituents is simple: life is becoming too expensive. Families are concerned about rising property taxes, the high cost of housing, increasing utility bills and the overall cost of living. Young families worry about being able to afford their first home, while seniors on fixed incomes are concerned about staying in the homes they’ve spent a lifetime paying for. I also hear from local officials, farmers, small business owners and employers who are frustrated by rising costs, workforce challenges and the increasing difficulty of maintaining essential local services without placing an even greater burden on property taxpayers.

People want government to focus on common sense priorities that make life more affordable, support economic growth and ensure northeast Wisconsin remains a great place to live, work and raise a family. That’s exactly what I’ll fight for in the State Senate.

What are the two main issues you see?

The two biggest issues I see are affordability and protecting the values that make northeast Wisconsin a great place to live, work and raise a family. First, Wisconsin must become more affordable. Families are feeling the strain of rising property taxes, housing costs, utility bills and everyday expenses. We need responsible budgeting, meaningful property tax relief, affordable and reliable energy and policies that help small businesses grow and create good-paying jobs.

Second, we must ensure the voices of northeast Wisconsin are not drowned out by the political priorities of Madison. That means protecting constitutional rights, supporting parents, standing with law enforcement, defending religious freedom, strengthening our agricultural economy and giving local communities a greater voice in the decisions that affect them. If we focus on making Wisconsin more affordable while protecting the freedoms and values that define our communities, we’ll build a stronger future for the families who call northeast Wisconsin home.

Why should somebody vote for you?
I’m running for State Senate because I believe northeast Wisconsin deserves a strong conservative voice that understands our communities, the challenges they face and how to deliver results in Madison. As an Army combat veteran, small business owner, husband, father and public servant, I’ve spent my life serving my country and community.

For the past five and a half years, I’ve proudly served as state Sen. André Jacque’s district director, working directly with residents across northeast Wisconsin to solve problems, cut through government red tape and deliver results. Through that work, I’ve built relationships, listened to constituents and gained a firsthand understanding of the issues facing our communities. For the past five and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of helping people across northeast Wisconsin navigate state government and solve problems.

Now I’m running for State Senate so I can continue that work by fighting for our communities where the decisions are made and ensuring the people of northeast Wisconsin have a strong voice in Madison.

Jacob VandenPlas

Please include relevant background information, such as your education, work and prior experience in elected office. Please be specific.

I am a lifelong Wisconsin resident, an Abrams native, and a 2002 graduate of Oconto Falls High School. I attended the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay while working and building my career. I proudly served 13 years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, including two deployments to Iraq as both a gunner and convoy commander. My military service taught me leadership, accountability, teamwork and the importance of putting service before self. Today, I work as a truck driver in the propane division at Door County Cooperative, where I see firsthand the challenges facing working families, farmers, small businesses and rural communities.

I also own and operate a small farm in Door County, giving me firsthand experience with the opportunities and challenges facing Wisconsin agriculture. In 2021, I founded a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans improve their mental health and reduce veteran suicide through gardening, farming and community. Through that work, I’ve partnered with schools, community organizations, volunteers, businesses and local governments to serve veterans and strengthen our communities. My community involvement also includes serving on the Door County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, participating on the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Volunteers in Action Committee, serving on the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s five-year Strategic Planning Committee, volunteering with Rural Safety Days and remaining active with VFW Post 3088.

While I have not previously served in elected office, I believe that is one of my greatest strengths. I am running because I believe our government works best when it includes citizen legislators who understand the realities facing the people they represent. My experiences as a veteran, truck driver, farmer, nonprofit founder, husband and father have prepared me to bring practical, commonsense leadership to Madison. Throughout my life, I have been guided by the principles of liberty, limited government and personal accountability, and those principles will continue to guide every decision I make as your State Senator.

What are constituents telling you are the main issues they’re facing?
The issues I hear about most often are the rising cost of living, wasteful government spending and fraud. Families are paying more for groceries, housing, energy, insurance, childcare and nearly every other basic necessity. Many people are working harder but feel like they are falling further behind.

Constituents also tell me they are frustrated when government asks them to pay more while failing to control its own spending. They want lawmakers to prioritize essential services, demand accountability from state agencies, eliminate programs that are ineffective or duplicative and make sure tax dollars are spent responsibly.

Fraud is another major concern, especially when public assistance programs, contracts or government benefits are abused. Fraud not only wastes money, it also undermines trust and takes resources away from people who genuinely need help.

My priority is to make Wisconsin more affordable while restoring accountability in government. That means scrutinizing spending, improving oversight, increasing transparency, prosecuting fraud and ensuring every tax dollar serves a legitimate public purpose. Working families should not be expected to tighten their belts while government refuses to do the same.

What are the two main issues you see?
I believe the two biggest issues facing Wisconsin are affordability and government accountability. First, the rising cost of living is putting tremendous pressure on families, seniors, farmers and small business owners. Whether it’s groceries, housing, energy, health care, childcare or insurance, people are paying more while wondering how they’re going to get ahead. Our economy should reward hard work and make it possible for people to build a future here in Wisconsin.

Second, government must earn back the public’s trust. Taxpayers expect their hard-earned dollars to be spent wisely, yet they continue to see wasteful spending, fraud and bureaucracy that too often puts government ahead of the people it serves. We need greater transparency, stronger oversight and a commitment to eliminating waste while ensuring every public dollar is used responsibly.

These two issues are closely connected. When government spends responsibly and focuses on its core responsibilities, we can create an environment that lowers costs, encourages economic growth, supports small businesses and family farms and helps Wisconsin families keep more of what they earn. My goal is simple: make Wisconsin more affordable while restoring accountability and trust in state government.

Why should somebody vote for you?
I don’t believe people should vote for me because of my party affiliation or because I promise to have all the answers. They should vote for me because they trust my character, my principles and my commitment to serve. I have spent my life serving others — as a Wisconsin Army National Guard veteran with two deployments to Iraq, as a truck driver serving rural communities, as a farmer and as the founder of a nonprofit organization. Those experiences have taught me to listen first, solve problems and put people ahead of politics.

I am not a career politician. I’m a citizen who understands the challenges facing working families, because I live them every day. I believe in fiscal responsibility, protecting our constitutional liberties, supporting our local communities and making government accountable to the people it serves.

Above all, I will always remember who I work for. Every vote I cast will be guided by the same principles that have shaped my life: liberty, limited government and personal accountability. If elected, I will be accessible, honest and willing to have difficult conversations because representing the people of the 1st Senate District is a responsibility I will never take for granted.

This questionnaire was produced as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab, a consortium of six news outlets.