APPLETON, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – The Main Street Alliance and the Appleton Area National Organization for Women invited the candidates for the 18th Senate District to a forum on Wednesday in Appleton. Shawn Phetteplace, National Campaigns Director with Main Street Alliance, said both candidates were invited and asked to attend the forum. Democratic Candidate Kristin Alfheim attended. Republican Anthony Phillips did not.
Even though only one candidate was in attendance, the organizers and residents of the 18th Senate District asked questions Alfheim.
Before answering questions, Alfheim introduced herself, referencing her history as the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Wisconsin president. That experience of working with advocacy groups traveling to Madison helped her learn to work both sides of the political aisle, red and blue.
“I have had great experience and have found great value in helping both sides find what’s purple in a topic. Help our communication be better so that we can realize we oftentimes have a shared vision,” said Alfheim. “Change can happen when you have people that want to work together to make it so.”
When asked if she would support funding the Child Care Counts program to support parents and ensure that early childhood educators receive more pay, Alfheim noted that child care is a foundational need for the community.
“Children are our society’s infrastructure,” Alfheim said. “Not only do we want to be providing the daycare opportunity. We want to make sure that they are getting an opportunity to learn and be in a great environment to get what they need – nutritionally health-wise, educationally – So that those kids have the best shot of success in school when they get there.”
One resident asked if Alfheim would consider the expectation of Badger Care, the Medicaid program in Wisconsin, to be a public option, making it easier and more affordable for small businesses who find offering health insurance to their employees to be burdensome.
“Everyone deserves the right to be insured. It does not matter who you are. If an employer is trying to offer it, let’s help them do that,” Alfheim said. “But the bottom line is everybody must be covered somehow, some way. And it’s got to be affordable to do it. And I am open to plenty of ideas to make that happen!”
Continuing on the conversation of health care and support for families. An audience member said small businesses lack the capital to offer paid leave to their employees. Does Alfheim support a universal paid leave policy for small business owners and their employees?
She said that she favors some sort of universal paid family or medical leave program because it is essential to offer new parents or people caring for ill family members the time they need.
“We have to do a better job in taking care of people, our families, and our kids. So, with that in mind, I am supportive of that because anything we can do to keep a family unit healthy from day one is essential for our entire community,” she said.
After the questions about the pain points that small business owners feel, the questions switched to topics of importance to women. Alfheim was asked if she supported the right to contraception.
“I do! I think that people should be able to control whether they choose to have children or not. I think people should be able to choose what their family dynamic looks like and feels like. And the idea of me or any other government entity getting involved in that conversation is asinine!” Alfheim said.
One member of the Appleton Area NOW asked Alfheim’s view on LGBTQ+ issues, specifically rolling back the ability for that community to marry and other rights.
“My opinion is – There has been a law. The law has been passed that you can marry whomever you would like. Period. The conversation should be over and any efforts that are being made to undermine that. Just stop!” said Alfheim.
She added later that she fully supports the rights of trans men and women.
The Equal Rights Amendment, talked about for decades, has never passed. Alfheim said she believes in the ERA.
Alfheim said, “As people on the planet, we (women) are just as valuable as anybody else. So, the Constitution should state such.”
The 18th Senate District covers Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, and parts of Oshkosh.
The Recombobulation Area and Civic Media’s 2024 Wisconsin State Legislature Voter Guide has the race for the 18th State Senate District as a district that may flip Democrat.
See the guide here.
Visit Civicmedia.us/vote to locate your polling place, check voter registration, or find information on early in-person voting.
