Jobs, Economy, and Local Labor Unions:
Jobs, Economy, and Local Labor Unions:
Jobs, Economy, and Local Labor Unions:
Growing up in Wisconsin, my family struggled. Mom and Dad worked long hours, my brothers and I shared a room and relied on the free lunch program, while my sister faced serious health issues leading to crippling medical bills. Despite it all, their hard work gave us a shot at a better life, and I became the first in our family to graduate college. After many years of hard work, they now live a comfortable middle-class life. My journey helped me understand the challenges working families face in our ever-changing economy.
As a candidate for U.S. Congress in Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District, I am committed to building an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. My vision is clear: uplift the working poor, grow the middle class, and ensure the rich pay their fair share. As a proud supporter of labor unions, farmers, and the working class, I will fight for policies that strengthen our communities, from the dairy farms of Fond du Lac to the manufacturing hubs of Oshkosh and Sheboygan. Together, we can create a thriving, fair, and inclusive economy that reflects the hardworking spirit of our district.
Wisconsin’s 6th District is the heart of America’s Dairyland, a region of rolling farmlands, bustling factories, and tight-knit communities. Yet, too many families struggle to make ends meet, afford a home, or secure a good-paying job. For too long, Representative Glenn Grothman has prioritized corporate interests and the wealthy over the needs of working families. Grothman's record of opposing a living wage, weakening labor unions, and supporting tax cuts for the rich has left our district behind. It’s time for a change. My policies will empower workers, support our farmers, and make housing affordable, ensuring every resident has a fair shot at the American Dream.
Below is my comprehensive plan to transform our economy, create opportunity, and restore fairness. These policies are designed to resonate with the hardworking people of Wisconsin’s 6th District: farmers, factory workers, small business owners, and families striving for a better life. As always, I am open-minded and ready to listen and work with those in WI-06 to do what's best for our communities.
No one working full-time should live in poverty or rely on federal assistance to survive. I’ll fight to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, ensuring a living wage for workers in Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and across the 6th District. This will uplift the working poor, boost consumer spending, and strengthen our local economy. Additionally, I’ll push to eliminate tax incentives for corporations whose low wages force workers onto federal assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. In 2023, over 13 million workers earning less than $15/hour relied on such programs, burdening taxpayers while corporations profit. By tying tax breaks to fair wages, we’ll hold companies accountable, reduce public costs, and support working families, ensuring the rich pay their fair share.
Why I’m Different: Glenn Grothman has repeatedly opposed raising the minimum wage, siding with corporations over workers. In 2014, he dismissed wage increases as unnecessary, ignoring the struggles of low-wage workers. I’ll stand with you, not big business, to ensure every job pays enough to live on.
Labor unions are the backbone of the middle class, fighting for fair wages, safe workplaces, and dignity for workers. I’ll protect and expand collective bargaining rights, oppose right-to-work laws, and support legislation that makes it easier for workers to organize. Strong unions mean stronger communities, from the factory floors of Oshkosh to the public sector workers across our district.
Oppose worker misclassification: Unfairly denies workers their rightful protections and benefits.
Support Davis-Bacon prevailing wages and Project Labor Agreements: Ensures fair compensation and strong labor standards for workers on federal projects.
Support the Faster Labor Contracts Act: Promotes fair and timely collective bargaining by requiring employers to negotiate with newly formed unions within 10 days, ensuring workers secure their first contract without excessive delays.
Support the Warehouse Worker Protection Act: Ensures safe working conditions and fair treatment for warehouse workers by addressing issues like unrealistic quotas and lack of transparency in workplace policies.
Protecting Retirement Benefits: Strengthen retirement and pension security by protecting and expanding defined-benefit pension plans and ensuring workers can retire with dignity through robust federal safeguards.
Protecting American Trade: Targeted tariffs and fair trade policies that prioritize American workers, protect domestic jobs from unfair foreign competition, and promote industries critical to our economy.
Antitrust Enforcement: Advocate for vigorous antitrust enforcement in labor markets to prevent corporate monopolies from suppressing wages, limiting job mobility, and undermining workers’ bargaining power.
Addressing AI: Comprehensive retraining programs and income support for workers displaced by AI and automation, ensuring they have pathways to new, high-quality jobs in emerging industries.
Why I’m Different: Grothman has a long history of undermining unions. He supported Governor Scott Walker’s 2011 budget bill that stripped public workers of bargaining rights and dismissed union supporters as “college kids having fun.” His 10% AFL-CIO score in 2023 shows he’s no friend to labor. I’ll be a fierce advocate for unions, ensuring workers have a voice.
Agriculture is the lifeblood of our district, with dairy and grain farming driving our economy. I’ll push for fair milk pricing, subsidies for sustainable practices, and expanded market access to help our farmers thrive. By investing in rural communities and protecting our farmlands, we can create jobs and ensure the next generation of farmers can succeed.
Why I’m Different: While Grothman claims to support farmers, his policies often favor large agribusiness over small family farms. His support for trade deals that hurt dairy farmers shows a disconnect from our district’s needs. I’ll put our farmers first, ensuring they have the tools to prosper.
Corporate stock buybacks, where companies repurchase shares to boost stock prices, often enrich wealthy shareholders and executives at the expense of workers and communities. In 2025, U.S. companies are projected to spend over $1 trillion on buybacks, funds that could support jobs, wages, or infrastructure. I’ll push for a 4% federal excise tax on stock buybacks, raising $246 billion over 10 years to fund job training, infrastructure, and healthcare in Wisconsin’s 6th District. This tax encourages companies to reinvest in workers—through better pay, union support, or training—and in communities like Oshkosh and Sheboygan. For companies that pay dividends instead, married households earning under $94,000 pay no taxes on qualified dividends, benefiting working families while the rich pay their fair share. This policy ensures corporations prioritize our workers and local economy over Wall Street profits.
Why I’m Different: Glenn Grothman supported the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which fueled a surge in corporate buybacks benefiting the wealthy, not workers. His votes prioritize corporate interests over economic fairness. I’ll fight for policies that put workers and communities first, ensuring corporations invest in our district’s future.
Healthcare costs are crushing working families. I support Medicare for All or a robust public option to ensure every resident has access to affordable, quality care. From rural clinics to urban hospitals, no one should go bankrupt because of medical bills. Affordable healthcare means more financial security for our families.
Why I’m Different: Grothman’s votes to cut healthcare funding (including roughly $1 TRILLION in Medicaid cuts) and his support for budgets that weaken access show he’s out of touch with our needs. I’ll make healthcare a right, not a privilege, for every resident of the 6th District.
Owning a home is part of the American Dream, but skyrocketing prices are locking families out. I’ll push for housing reforms to increase supply and bring down costs, including:
Incentivizing Affordable Housing: Offer tax credits and federal grants to developers who build affordable housing units in both rural and urban areas of the district, ensuring more homes for working families.
Reforming Zoning Laws: Ease restrictive zoning to allow more housing construction, allowing for more homes in growing areas like Oshkosh and Manitowoc, while preserving the character of our communities.
Assisting First-Time Homebuyers: Provide grants and low-interest loans to help working families and young couples buy their first home, making homeownership accessible again.
Taxing Multiple Home Ownership: Propose an increased federal tax on owning multiple homes, with higher rates for corporations and individuals owning three or more houses. This tax will discourage speculative purchases that drive up prices, keeping homes available for local families. Revenue from this tax will fund affordable housing programs, directly benefiting our district.
These reforms will boost housing supply, lower costs, and protect our communities from being priced out by big money. Whether you’re a factory worker in Sheboygan, a farmer in Calumet County, or a retiree in Waupun, my plan ensures you can afford to stay in the district you love.
Why I’m Different: Grothman has ignored the housing crisis, focusing on deregulation that benefits developers, not working families. My reforms will directly address affordability, ensuring our district is a place where everyone can find a home.
Good-paying jobs require skills, and I’ll fund vocational training programs tailored to our district’s needs: manufacturing, agriculture, and emerging industries like renewable energy. By partnering with local colleges and employers, we’ll prepare workers for high-demand careers, growing the middle class and strengthening our economy.
Why I’m Different: Grothman’s focus on deregulation over workforce development has left workers behind. I’ll invest in your future, ensuring you have the skills to compete in a changing economy.
From crumbling roads to spotty internet in rural areas, our infrastructure needs an upgrade. I’ll support investments in transportation, high-speed internet, and clean water systems to create jobs and improve quality of life. Better infrastructure means more opportunities for businesses, farmers, and families across the district.
Why I’m Different: Grothman’s support for budget cuts has limited infrastructure investment, leaving rural areas underserved. I’ll prioritize projects that create jobs and connect our communities.
Small businesses are the heart of our economy, from family farms to local shops. I’ll provide tax incentives, access to capital, and technical assistance to help them grow and create jobs. By supporting small businesses in manufacturing and agriculture, we’ll keep our economy strong and local.
Why I’m Different: Grothman’s policies often favor large corporations over small businesses. I’ll focus on the entrepreneurs and farmers who make our district unique, ensuring they have the support to thrive.
We can protect our environment while creating jobs. I’ll support renewable energy projects, like solar and wind, and promote sustainable farming practices that preserve our land and water. These efforts will create good-paying jobs while ensuring our natural resources are here for future generations.
Why I’m Different: Grothman’s lack of focus on green jobs and environmental protection ignores the potential for economic growth. I’ll balance our agricultural heritage with innovation, creating a sustainable future.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can boost our economy, from dairy farms to factories, but it must not cost jobs. I’ll support AI adoption with grants for farmers and businesses, fund retraining for workers facing automation, and regulate AI to protect rights. By investing in skills for AI-driven jobs, we’ll keep Wisconsin competitive globally while growing the middle class.
Why I’m Different: Grothman’s support for corporate-friendly policies, like the 2024 AI deregulation bill, ignores workers’ needs. I’ll ensure AI creates opportunities for our district, not just profits for big business, unlike his hands-off approach.
I’m running for Congress because the people of Wisconsin’s 6th District deserve a representative who fights for them, not just corporate interests or the wealthy elite. Glenn Grothman’s record shows he’s out of step with our values, from opposing a living wage to undermining unions and prioritizing tax breaks for the rich. I’ll be a champion for workers, farmers, and families, delivering real solutions to the challenges we face.
My policies are rooted in fairness, opportunity, and community. By raising wages, strengthening unions, supporting our farmers, reforming housing, and ensuring the rich pay their fair share, we can build an economy that works for all of us. Together, we can make Wisconsin’s 6th District a place where every family can thrive.