City of Columbus
Not in City of Columbus? Find your state's guide.
Return Ballots by Tuesday, November 5th
The Wisconsin Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Absentee ballots must be received by your municipal clerk by Tuesday, November 5 at 8PM. Vote in every race on your ballot, then share this guide with your friends and family!
State Senate
State Senator, District 14
Sarah Keyeski is a mental health counselor and nonprofit founder born and raised in Wisconsin. Keyeski grew up on a family farm and understands what it means to be part of a close-knit rural community. As a mother of six children and wife of a cancer survivor, her largest legislative priorities are quality public schools, accessible childcare, and affordable healthcare. Keyeski believes divisive politics are not beneficial for Wisconsin, and plans to work with anyone in the Legislature who shares her values. Keyeski’s opponent in this election is Senator Joan Ballweg, who has been endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Sarah Keyeski is the progressive choice in this race.
Sarah Keyeski is a mental health counselor and nonprofit founder born and raised in Wisconsin. Keyeski grew up on a family farm and understands what it means to be part of a close-knit rural community. As a mother of six children and wife of a cancer survivor, her largest legislative priorities are quality public schools, accessible childcare, and affordable healthcare. Keyeski believes divisive politics are not beneficial for Wisconsin, and plans to work with anyone in the Legislature who shares her values. Keyeski’s opponent in this election is Senator Joan Ballweg, who has been endorsed by an extreme right wing group that wants to ban abortion without exception, even when the pregnant person's life is at risk. Sarah Keyeski is the progressive choice in this race.
State Senator, District 16
Former warehouse employee and paralegal Melissa Ratcliff has been involved in Dane County politics since being elected to the Cottage Grove Village Board in 2018. Since then, she has served three terms on the Dane County Board and one term in the State Assembly, all while continuing her paralegal career. Ratcliff now plans to serve as a full-time legislator working to increase investment in roads and public safety, ensure safe communities for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and create more affordable housing. She is also a strong supporter of reproductive freedom and will fight Republican efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. Melissa Ratcliff is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.
Former warehouse employee and paralegal Melissa Ratcliff has been involved in Dane County politics since being elected to the Cottage Grove Village Board in 2018. Since then, she has served three terms on the Dane County Board and one term in the State Assembly, all while continuing her paralegal career. Ratcliff now plans to serve as a full-time legislator working to increase investment in roads and public safety, ensure safe communities for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and create more affordable housing. She is also a strong supporter of reproductive freedom and will fight Republican efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. Melissa Ratcliff is unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.
State Assembly
Representative, District 37
LaToya Bates has career experience in education, business, and social services. She leads a nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic and sexual abuse, as well as an event management company. Bates knows that Wisconsinites are facing rising costs everywhere, and is committed to finding relief for the middle class. Having worked as an educator, Bates is familiar with the struggles our schools and teachers are facing, and will fight for educational resources to be well-spent. She also plans to advocate for rural healthcare, including mental healthcare, and for the right to choose an abortion. Bates is running against Republican Representative Mark Born, who has previously been endorsed by an extremist group that wants to ban abortion, even in cases when the pregnant person's life is at risk. LaToya Bates is the clear progressive choice in this race.
LaToya Bates has career experience in education, business, and social services. She leads a nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic and sexual abuse, as well as an event management company. Bates knows that Wisconsinites are facing rising costs everywhere, and is committed to finding relief for the middle class. Having worked as an educator, Bates is familiar with the struggles our schools and teachers are facing, and will fight for educational resources to be well-spent. She also plans to advocate for rural healthcare, including mental healthcare, and for the right to choose an abortion. Bates is running against Republican Representative Mark Born, who has previously been endorsed by an extremist group that wants to ban abortion, even in cases when the pregnant person's life is at risk. LaToya Bates is the clear progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 39
Educator and school administrator Chris Gordon has lived in Wisconsin her entire life, and knows the keys to thriving rural communities are a strong local economy, high-quality schools, and dependable healthcare. She believes in achieving “equity and justice for all,” and plans to prioritize affordable housing and childcare as a member of the Assembly. Gordon is also keenly aware of water quality and environmental issues facing the 39th Assembly District, and wants to fight for improved infrastructure to safeguard central Wisconsin’s natural resources. Gordon is running against Republican Representative Alex Dallman, who has previously been endorsed by two of Wisconsin’s most radical anti-abortion organizations. Christine Gordon is the progressive choice in this race.
Educator and school administrator Chris Gordon has lived in Wisconsin her entire life, and knows the keys to thriving rural communities are a strong local economy, high-quality schools, and dependable healthcare. She believes in achieving “equity and justice for all,” and plans to prioritize affordable housing and childcare as a member of the Assembly. Gordon is also keenly aware of water quality and environmental issues facing the 39th Assembly District, and wants to fight for improved infrastructure to safeguard central Wisconsin’s natural resources. Gordon is running against Republican Representative Alex Dallman, who has previously been endorsed by two of Wisconsin’s most radical anti-abortion organizations. Christine Gordon is the progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 42
Dane County Supervisor and DeForest resident Maureen McCarville is running for the 37th Assembly District to fight for progress in the State Assembly. McCarville supports investing more in education, making healthcare more accessible, keeping Wisconsin's air, water, and land clean, enacting common sense gun safety measures, and protecting women's reproductive rights. McCarville, who served in the Wisconsin National Guard for nine years, also lists investing in Wisconsin's veterans as a priority. She is a long-time community volunteer, even getting recognized by the DeForest Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce as "volunteer of the year" for organizing the annual 4th of July parade. Opposing McCarville is Republican candidate Rebecca Witherspoon. Maureen McCarville is the progressive choice in this race.
Dane County Supervisor and DeForest resident Maureen McCarville is running for the 37th Assembly District to fight for progress in the State Assembly. McCarville supports investing more in education, making healthcare more accessible, keeping Wisconsin's air, water, and land clean, enacting common sense gun safety measures, and protecting women's reproductive rights. McCarville, who served in the Wisconsin National Guard for nine years, also lists investing in Wisconsin's veterans as a priority. She is a long-time community volunteer, even getting recognized by the DeForest Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce as "volunteer of the year" for organizing the annual 4th of July parade. Opposing McCarville is Republican candidate Rebecca Witherspoon. Maureen McCarville is the progressive choice in this race.
Representative, District 48
Attorney and former legislative aide Andrew Hysell has over twenty years of public policy experience and plans to use his expertise to represent the 48th Assembly District. Hysell has worked to holistically support veterans, advocated for public education in underserved rural areas, and supported a nonprofit seeking to lower the cost of prescription drugs. He believes in legalizing cannabis, supporting small businesses, and investing in protection for our natural resources. Hysell also has promised, on day one of the new legislative session, to introduce an amendment to the state constitution expressly codifying the right to privacy - the right to choose an abortion, the right to marry who we love, and a right to contraception. He is opposed by Republican candidate Lisa Rubrich. Andrew Hysell is the progressive choice in this race.
Attorney and former legislative aide Andrew Hysell has over twenty years of public policy experience and plans to use his expertise to represent the 48th Assembly District. Hysell has worked to holistically support veterans, advocated for public education in underserved rural areas, and supported a nonprofit seeking to lower the cost of prescription drugs. He believes in legalizing cannabis, supporting small businesses, and investing in protection for our natural resources. Hysell also has promised, on day one of the new legislative session, to introduce an amendment to the state constitution expressly codifying the right to privacy - the right to choose an abortion, the right to marry who we love, and a right to contraception. He is opposed by Republican candidate Lisa Rubrich. Andrew Hysell is the progressive choice in this race.