Our State Candidates - Scroll down to read about them.
My platform is union/ workers to include paid sick leave/ personal leave, fully paid and improved FMLA, and Bereavement.
Nate
41st Assembly District
https://www.zimdarsforwisconsin.com/
Nate Zimdars lives in Ripon, Wisconsin where he grew up on his family’s hobby farm raising sheep and poultry for 4-H and FFA projects. Just down the road was Zimdars Family Farm, the 200 hundred cow dairy farm that has been in the Zimdars family for 145 years. The farm, is still owned and operated by his uncles and cousins, and is where Nate spent much of his childhood learning the value of hard work and the importance of supporting your neighbors through hard times.
Nate received his Associates Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac in 2014. During this time, Nate served as a State FFA Treasurer with the Wisconsin FFA. He then transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied History and Political Science. Following his time at Madison, Nate served as a volunteer for a year with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Young Adult in Global Mission Program in the West African nation of Senegal where he taught English and worked at a dairy cooperative. Upon returning from his year in Senegal, Nate worked for the ELCA’s national church office traveling across the country speaking about global service and encouraging congregations and donors to financially support various global ministries. In addition to his full time job working on the production line at Saputo Cheese in Alto, Wisconsin, he helps with milking cows on Zimdars Family Farm when able and delivers keynotes on topics including his experience in international living, the importance of agriculture advocacy, and raising awareness of sexual assault with interested groups.
Nate’s love of service has led to current opportunities serving locally as the President of the Ripon FFA Alumni chapter, sitting on the Board of Directors for the Fond du Lac County Farm Bureau, and is an elected member of the Ripon Area School Board and the Ripon Education Foundation. At the state level, Nate serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault and is the President Elect of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni. Nate believes that giving back to the people and organizations that have helped shape and form him into the man he is today is the best way to honor that support.
Aaron Wojciechowski, 23, is a 2-term local elected official, aftercare educator, and proud UW Oshkosh Graduate. Aaron is focused on bringing back honest forward-thinking leadership and ensuring every Wisconsinite has a seat at the decision making table. As the next State Senator for district 18, Aaron will fight to make health care more affordable and accessible, ensure our public schools are well-funded, pass meaningful criminal justice reform, and create a sustainable economy that works for everyone.
I grew up in a mixed family. My mother is the child of an immigrant who came to the United States to achieve the American dream. My mother showed me what real strength and courage is. Being a mother, providing for our family, and ensuring we had a good life can be tough when life continuously knocks you down, but my mom never gave up. My father was a small business owner who served 4 years in the U.S. Marines. He taught me financial responsibility, practical life skills, and what true respect meant. I can’t tell you how many nights we spend debating politics. My dad is conservative and very politically opinionated, but he always said he would vote for me when given the chance. Family always came first, it transcended any political differences we had. Neither of my parents went to college, but they believed in the value of getting a good education. My family always pushed us to think for ourselves, work hard, and pursue our dreams. Their love and support is just one of the many reasons I’m here today. Not only did my parents contribute to my upbringing, but my siblings did too. My sister Shannen, my brother Ricky, and my twin brother Alex. We grew up without much and often struggled to keep up with basic needs. I shared a small room with my two brothers and like most siblings we didn’t always get along, but we always looked out for one another. Growing up low income made it challenging to be a kid, but thanks to various assistance programs and community support we managed to get by. Despite the hardships I grew up with, my parents instilled in me the drive to work harder, to be involved, and to create positive change wherever I went.
Aaron moved to Oshkosh in 2015 and graduated in December 2019 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with degrees in economics and political science. He is the first in all of his family to graduate from college. Aaron is concluded his second 2-year term on the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors in April of 2020. Since becoming a part of the Oshkosh community, Aaron has worked around the Fox Valley and on the UW Oshkosh campus to create positive change. His full time job is working at Webster Stanley elementary school educating kids.
Joe Lavrenz
52nd Assembly District
joelavrenzforassembly@gmail.com
Joe Lavrenz lives in Fond du Lac and grew up in Taycheedah. He is a Goodrich High School graduate. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from UW Oshkosh and then worked Spectrum Communications assisting customers with fixing Internet or computer issues. Currently, Joe is working for Pitney Bowes where he assists customers with printer, postage meter and computer problems. Joe enjoys helping people get the most or best out of their products or services.
Joe would like to work to provide better healthcare, improve worker rights, and help restore our education system. He feels he would bring a problem solving style to the office where he could use troubleshooting skills to benefit the most people.