Wisconsin 37th Assembly District candidates offer contrast for voters

Posted: Oct. 22, 2012

Democratic candidate Mary Arnold and Republican candidate John Jagler will square off in November for the opportunity to represent the constituents of the 37th Assembly District.

The two emerged as contenders from a crowded primary field that emerged after district was reconfigured. The district covers most of Ixonia and includes parts of four different counties: Jefferson, Dodge, Columbia and Dane and has a population of approximately 50, 000.

The candidates were asked the following questions with a 50-word limit for answers.

Q What's your highest priority: the economy, jobs, health care, taxes or something else? How would you address this?

Arnold: Voters tell me that job creation, affordable health care and education are their priorities. I will return economic development decisions to the cities and counties, rather than the top-down approach, which has taken away local control. I will support the Affordable Care Act and our excellent public education system.

Jagler: The top priority of the next legislative session should be getting people back to work in Wisconsin. Due to a lack of leadership in Washington and constant political uncertainty caused by the recalls, job creators are holding back on expanding or relocating here.

Q What's your stance on Act 10?

Arnold: I disagree with the provisions of Act 10. Collective bargaining is democracy in the workplace. State budget problems should not be solved by taking away rights from working and middle class families.

Jagler: Act 10 was a bold and necessary action to help get Wisconsin's economy back on track. Through Act 10 and the budget which followed, the state turned a $3.6 billion budget deficit into a projected surplus without raising taxes.

Q Beyond initiatives already in place, what can the state do to attract businesses?

Arnold: Businesses are looking for healthy, well-educated well-trained workers. I will encourage support for local development initiatives. I will work to provide incentives for companies that use Wisconsin-made products. Tourism is a strong industry that brings in millions in revenue and deserves more support.

Jagler: Government cannot create jobs, but it can improve the environment for job creation. We need to give businesses certainty in the regulatory climate and cut the red tape that discourages businesses for expanding and creating jobs. The political games played with the mining bill is a perfect example.

Q Should the state implement a voter ID law?

Arnold: Taxpayer money should not be wasted on this issue. The voter ID provisions of Act 23 are burdens on many citizens and would not have prevented the few cases of voter fraud that have been documented in Wisconsin. Voting should be as accessible as possible for all eligible voters.

Jagler: The state should absolutely put in place the sensible voter ID law passed by the Legislature last session. I am deeply troubled that it appears that it will be hung up in the courts and won't be in place in time for the November election.

Mary Arnold

Age: 64

Address: 954 Dix St., Columbus

Family: married; two children

Previous elected offices held: none

Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Wisconsin-Madison; master's degree, California State University, both in social work

Military: no

John Jagler

Age: 42

Address: 601 Clyman St., Watertown

Family: Married; three children

Previous elected offices held: no

Education: attended UW-Parkside and the American School of Broadcasting in Madison, associate's degree in communications.

Military: no