By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
After a politically-charged month of back and forth between Republicans and Democrats, it seemed only fitting that fireworks came from both sides of the aisle Tuesday night at a 63rd Assembly District candidate forum at Union
Grove Union High School.
Incumbent Republican Robin Vos and challenger Democrat Andy Mitchell squared off and answered 11 questions in the forum hosted by the American Association of University Women’s Racine branch.
Both were also afforded opening and closing statements. The differences were clear.
Mitchell joked that his 32-year marriage showed his record of compromise and cooperation.
He also pledged that, because he hasn’t accepted special interest money while campaigning, that he would represent everyone in the 63rd district.
Vos, the current Assembly speaker, repeated much of what’s been said by the Republican Party in the past weeks.
“I’m proud of where Wisconsin is, and where Racine County is,” Vos said, touting the work Gov. Scott Walker did to erase the state deficit and turn around job growth.
The questions touched on everything from voter ID to same-sex marriage to the idea of raising Wisconsin’s minimum wage.
Vos said he is for voter ID, against same-sex marriage (but for equal rights) and against changing the minimum wage.
Mitchell came in almost exactly the opposite, saying that he didn’t believe there was a need for voter ID – but if it was implemented, people needed better options than just the Department of Motor Vehicles.
He supported same-sex marriage, and said, “We don’t get to vote on civil rights” when Vos argued that the legislature and not the courts should be in charge of those decisions.
Mitchell also challenged the idea that raising the minimum wage would cost the state money. Instead, he said, the additional money would stimulate local economies.
Vos argued against it, saying that minimum wage is a minimum, that people rarely stay at that wage for any period of time and that raising a minimum wage would cost the state more money with public employees.
Both took the expected sides on Act 10 – Vos for, Mitchell against – and came down on the same side of the medical marijuana debate. With Burlington resident Sally Schaeffer having campaigned to make CBD oil available as a seizure treatment during the spring, both said the law needs to allow for medical marijuana as an option.
Both also agreed in concept that the two parties needed to find a better way to work together.
“Even if I win this election, the Assembly is still going to be Republican,” said Mitchell, who also believes that a balance of power among the governor, Assembly and Senate is key.
Vos agreed, saying that “the way you work together is to find areas to compromise,” but he pointed out that many bills did receive bipartisan support during Gov. Walker’s tenure.
Mitchell said many of those bills were guaranteed bipartisan support, rather than hot-button topics.
But when asked to best define why voters should elect them, the two varied. Vos said he has been a life-long Racine resident, and the first in his family to go to college. Proud of being a business owner as well as a state representative, he added that he had many different focuses and perspectives.
“I’m proud of the people I represent, and from where I come from,” Vos said. “I will always do what’s right for Racine County.”
Mitchell responded by saying he has filled many different positions – including being a firefighter and now a special education teacher – and that perspective is what is needed.
“What affects me will affect everyone in the 63rd district,” Mitchell said. “I think my background is going to be an advantage.”
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