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Evers was keynote speaker for Crawford County Dems meeting

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Tony Evers (right center), superintendent of public instruction and candidate for Wisconsin governor, spoke to an enthusiastic group at the Crawford County Democratic Party of Wisconsin meeting Oct. 18. This is only about half the crowd who attended. (Submitted photo)

By Correne Martin

Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction and candidate for governor Tony Evers was in Prairie du Chien Oct. 18, for a meeting of the Crawford County Democratic Party.

Evers was the keynote speaker at the meeting, which included a question-and-answer session with the three-term DPI superintendent. Though there was a volume of issues discussed, the key local concerns centered around school vouchers, small businesses, natural resources and the fear that the middle class is disappearing.

Evers said he felt the intimate group at the meeting supported his strategy, as a candidate, to want to invest in the state’s school systems first.

Evers touted his record in elections, noting that he received 70 percent of the vote in the last race, with 70 of the 72 counties voting for him.

“[Constituents] believe I’m reflective of their beliefs and that I’m doing a good job,” he stated. “Having a solid public education system, where our people can get the training they need, is important to our adults seeking jobs in our communities.”

Evers said educating the state’s young people is its most important “natural resource.”

He explained, “Having a strong, educated, talented workforce is important toward a solid economy. It impacts health care and even corrections. We have to make sure those kids who come from less desirable upbringings are educated so they can go down a better path for themselves and for the future of this state.”

Evers also shared with those at the Dems meeting that he wants the state’s natural resources policy to become more appropriately fit, “because it’s a huge economic boon to this state.”

He also feels strongly about treating the state’s middle class better, as he knows how important it is for people to have family-sustaining jobs.

Evers has spent most of his life in rural Wisconsin. He was first a teacher, then a principal, running several school districts. He feels he has an edge in the 2018 race because he knows many people. He’s proud to be endorsed by former Senator Herb Kohl and former Green Bay Senator Steve Kagen.

“As compared to other candidates, I’ve actually run things. I love what I’m doing. I’d never run for governor had I thought Scott Walker was doing a good job,” he said.

Ultimately, Evers intends to run a campaign and, if elected governor, act with skills toward ending divisiveness. He believes Walker started his gubernatorial career by “dividing and conquering.” He feels people are “resentive and angry.”

“I’m more interested in seeking solutions than drawing lines in the sand,” he pointed out. “One example is our roads system. We need adults in the room so we can sit down and discuss what’s best, whether it’s a gas tax, a user fee, we continue to bond or a combination of multiple things.”

Evers stands firm as a voucher opponent but he said he’s worked with the voucher supporters to make the system more transparent.

“I’ve worked with both sides,” he said. “People are going to see me talking about values (in my campaign), changing the negative and (stopping the) pitting people against each other. We need to get over that and start talking about education, our parks and natural resources, and the future of middle class in our state.”

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