Priorities
Finding Common Ground
“Serving as your State Representative has reinforced what I’ve always believed: when we listen to each other, work together, and keep people at the center of every decision, our communities are stronger.”
Joe Sheehan
Why I’m running for Assembly
For good things to happen, I’ve learned over the years that the right people have to be at the table – the right experts, community partners, and the people whose lives are directly affected by the decisions we make. That’s the approach I’ve brought to Madison as your State Representative: listening first, working together, and focusing on practical solutions instead of partisan politics.
Positive change – whether it’s lowering costs for families, strengthening our public schools, protecting our environment, or expanding access to affordable healthcare – only happens when we recognize that we’re all in this together. That belief has guided my 38-year career in education, economic development, community service, and now in the State Assembly.
I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished together, but there’s more to do. I’d be honored to continue serving you and respectfully ask for your vote this November.
Standing up for Working Families
Wisconsin families are feeling the pressure of rising costs, from groceries and child care to prescriptions, utilities, and housing. As your State Representative, I have worked to lower everyday expenses by supporting Healthy School Meals for All, authoring legislation to eliminate the sales tax on over-the-counter medications and make child care more affordable through Wisconsin Shares. I believe state government should do everything it can to make the basics more affordable and help families keep more of what they earn. I’ll continue working to lower child care and healthcare costs, reduce rising utility and energy bills, and find practical solutions that make everyday life more affordable for Sheboygan families.
Standing Up for Public Education
Strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities, and every Wisconsin student deserves a great education no matter their ZIP code. As a former teacher and Superintendent of the Sheboygan Area School District, I know firsthand what students, educators, and schools need to succeed. As your State Representative, I have fought for stronger public school and special education funding, efforts to recruit and retain great teachers, and investments that reduce the burden on local property taxpayers. We simply cannot afford two school systems. I’ll continue working to ensure our public schools have the resources they need, strengthen special education funding, and put public dollars toward the public schools that serve every child.
Standing Up for Affordable Housing
The cost of housing has skyrocketed across Wisconsin, putting home ownership out of reach for too many families. I am committed to finding ways to make sure anyone who wants to buy a home has a realistic path to do so. As your State Representative I have supported the expansion of the Homestead Tax Credit, Workforce Housing Tax Credits, and supported efforts to streamline zoning and permitting to increase housing stock. I’ll continue working to lower barriers to home ownership and make sure more Wisconsin families have the opportunity to call the Sheboygan area home.
Standing Up for Accessible and Affordable Healthcare
Every Wisconsinite deserves access to quality healthcare they can afford, no matter where they live or how much they earn. As your State Representative, I have worked to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, supported expanding BadgerCare through federal Medicaid expansion, and fought to protect the services children with disabilities, family caregivers, and older adults rely on to live healthy, independent lives. Finally after more than a decade and being one of two states that did not provide postpartum medical assistance coverage, we finally passed it this year. I’ll continue working to lower costs, strengthen access to care, and make sure Wisconsin families can get the healthcare and support they need without putting their financial security at risk.
Standing Up for Women’s Reproductive Healthcare
As your State Representative, I have stood up for every person’s right to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions – free from government interference. I have voted to protect reproductive freedom, opposed efforts to restrict access to essential healthcare, and will continue working to restore the rights Wisconsinites had for nearly fifty years. I’m proud to have earned the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin because I believe these deeply personal decisions belong to individuals, their families, and their healthcare providers – not politicians.
Standing Up for Clean Air and Clean Water
Wisconsin’s clean air, clean water, and natural resources are essential to our health, our economy, and our way of life. As your State Representative, I have supported efforts to address PFAS contamination, protect Lake Michigan and our drinking water, expand clean energy, and invest in conservation. It’s time to put the brakes on unchecked hyperscale AI data center development. Wisconsin must ensure economic growth never comes at the expense of our water resources, clean energy goals, or the health of our communities. With the entire 26th Assembly District bordering Lake Michigan, I’ll continue fighting for practical solutions that protect our water, preserve our outdoor heritage, and ensure future generations can enjoy the natural beauty that makes Wisconsin home.
Standing Up for Good Roads and Safe Bridges
Safe, reliable roads and bridges keep our families safe, connect people to work, and support the manufacturers, farmers, and small businesses that drive Sheboygan’s economy. As your State Representative, I have supported investments in Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure and stronger funding for local roads and bridges so our communities have the resources they need to maintain them. I’ll continue fighting for responsible infrastructure investments that strengthen our economy and keep Wisconsin moving.
Standing Up for Public Safety
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, neighborhood, and community. As your State Representative, I have supported investments in public safety and local crisis prevention and response services that help keep our communities safe. I believe in holding people accountable when they break the law while also giving the professionals who protect and serve our communities the staffing, training, equipment, and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. I’ll continue working with local leaders and public safety professionals to keep Sheboygan safe.
