1 00:00:05,806 --> 00:00:09,543 >> The following program is a PBS Wisconsin original 2 00:00:09,610 --> 00:00:12,646 production. >> Winning candidates to be 3 00:00:12,713 --> 00:00:16,583 the next governor are pounding the snowy pavement 4 00:00:16,650 --> 00:00:19,520 and coping with stressful times. 5 00:00:19,586 --> 00:00:23,156 Farmers find strength in connection. 6 00:00:25,592 --> 00:00:29,796 I'm Frederica Freyberg. Tonight on "Here& Now", we 7 00:00:29,863 --> 00:00:31,698 continue our interviews with candidates for 8 00:00:31,765 --> 00:00:34,801 governor. Tonight we speak with the first of many 9 00:00:34,868 --> 00:00:36,670 challengers in the Democratic primary. 10 00:00:36,737 --> 00:00:39,640 [MUSIC] Then a story of tragedy and 11 00:00:39,706 --> 00:00:44,077 hope. As farmer suicides have increased over the 12 00:00:44,144 --> 00:00:46,547 years. Increasingly, they're asking for help. 13 00:00:46,613 --> 00:00:49,950 It's "Here& Now" for December 12th. 14 00:00:51,552 --> 00:00:54,154 >> Funding for "Here& Now" is provided by the Focus 15 00:00:54,221 --> 00:00:58,892 Fund for Journalism and Friends of PBS Wisconsin. 16 00:01:05,766 --> 00:01:08,936 >> As we continue our interviews with the 17 00:01:09,002 --> 00:01:12,039 candidates running in the Wisconsin primary election 18 00:01:12,105 --> 00:01:15,075 for governor, we start with current Lieutenant Governor 19 00:01:15,142 --> 00:01:18,478 Sarah Rodriguez "Here& Now" senior political reporter 20 00:01:18,545 --> 00:01:21,715 Zach Schultz with Moore Rodriguez. 21 00:01:21,782 --> 00:01:24,418 >> Thanks for joining us. >> Thank you so much for 22 00:01:24,484 --> 00:01:28,155 having me. know who you are that well, 23 00:01:28,222 --> 00:01:30,757 tell us who you are and why you're running for governor. 24 00:01:30,824 --> 00:01:33,227 >> So I am the current lieutenant governor here in 25 00:01:33,293 --> 00:01:36,230 Wisconsin, but I have spent most of my career in health 26 00:01:36,296 --> 00:01:38,298 care. I'm actually a nurse by background, and I've 27 00:01:38,365 --> 00:01:40,834 worked in so many different roles within health care, 28 00:01:40,901 --> 00:01:44,104 whether it's night shifts in the E.R. all the way to 29 00:01:44,171 --> 00:01:47,007 being an executive within a health care system, and one 30 00:01:47,074 --> 00:01:50,978 of my roles as lieutenant governor is that I get to 31 00:01:51,044 --> 00:01:53,780 go to all 72 counties, and I have done that every 32 00:01:53,847 --> 00:01:56,116 single year that I have been lieutenant governor. 33 00:01:56,183 --> 00:01:59,119 And when I talk to people there, they're telling me 34 00:01:59,186 --> 00:02:01,622 the same thing, that they are doing everything right, 35 00:02:01,688 --> 00:02:03,891 but they're feeling squeezed. And whether 36 00:02:03,957 --> 00:02:08,195 that's accessible, affordable health care, 37 00:02:08,262 --> 00:02:12,766 child care, we keep raising our taxes to pay for our 38 00:02:12,833 --> 00:02:15,736 public schools. I mean, these are the things that 39 00:02:15,802 --> 00:02:18,005 people are talking to me about, and these are the 40 00:02:18,071 --> 00:02:20,507 things that I would like to be able to address as 41 00:02:20,574 --> 00:02:23,377 governor. that drives you as a 42 00:02:23,744 --> 00:02:26,079 candidate, or perhaps a lane within the Democratic 43 00:02:26,146 --> 00:02:28,615 Party that may define you? >> I think that I have so 44 00:02:28,682 --> 00:02:30,851 much experience within health care, which is a 45 00:02:30,918 --> 00:02:32,553 complicated space, and we've seen what's happening 46 00:02:32,619 --> 00:02:35,088 now in Washington, where they're taking away the 47 00:02:35,155 --> 00:02:38,058 subsidies for the people who are going to get 48 00:02:38,125 --> 00:02:39,960 their insurance on the exchange. These are small 49 00:02:40,027 --> 00:02:42,162 business owners, these are farmers. These are people 50 00:02:42,229 --> 00:02:45,098 who are trying to make a living, and their premiums 51 00:02:45,165 --> 00:02:47,968 are going to double, maybe even triple in Wisconsin. 52 00:02:48,035 --> 00:02:50,237 And so having somebody who has that expertise in 53 00:02:50,304 --> 00:02:53,207 healthcare to be able to do that here in Wisconsin and 54 00:02:53,273 --> 00:02:55,008 actually make a demonstrable difference in 55 00:02:55,075 --> 00:02:56,643 people's lives, that's something that I'm really 56 00:02:56,710 --> 00:02:59,112 excited about. >> How much money do you 57 00:02:59,179 --> 00:03:02,516 think you're going to need to raise in order to be 58 00:03:02,583 --> 00:03:06,053 successful in this primary? know, I've been talking 59 00:03:06,119 --> 00:03:08,021 about this with so many different people, and it is 60 00:03:08,088 --> 00:03:10,791 going to be millions of dollars to be able to be 61 00:03:10,858 --> 00:03:13,660 successful in the primary. But I've got support all 62 00:03:13,727 --> 00:03:17,064 over the state. I've got endorsements in all 72 63 00:03:17,130 --> 00:03:19,933 counties. I got the first statewide union endorsement, 64 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:24,204 it's AFSCME, it's the public workers, municipal 65 00:03:24,271 --> 00:03:26,173 municipality workers, and was just really proud and 66 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:28,876 honored to be able to get that endorsement and 67 00:03:28,942 --> 00:03:30,878 excited about all the support that I'm seeing all 68 00:03:30,944 --> 00:03:32,913 across the state. >> When it comes to a 69 00:03:32,980 --> 00:03:35,115 competitive primary. How do you personally define the 70 00:03:35,182 --> 00:03:37,484 difference between negative campaigning versus defining 71 00:03:37,551 --> 00:03:39,653 differences between candidates? 72 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:43,023 >> Well, we're all going to have to make our arguments 73 00:03:43,090 --> 00:03:46,159 to the voters. We're all going to have to say what 74 00:03:46,226 --> 00:03:48,295 we're bringing to the table and what type of 75 00:03:48,362 --> 00:03:50,364 experiences we have that are going to make us good 76 00:03:50,430 --> 00:03:53,066 governors. And I would say for myself, I'm one of the 77 00:03:53,133 --> 00:03:55,903 only candidates. I am the only candidate in the race 78 00:03:55,969 --> 00:03:58,205 who's actually been able to flip a district from red to 79 00:03:58,272 --> 00:04:01,608 blue. I did that when I was in the assembly. I'm also 80 00:04:01,675 --> 00:04:04,311 somebody who has extensive private industry experience 81 00:04:04,378 --> 00:04:06,914 elected office. That's a good balance between those 82 00:04:06,980 --> 00:04:09,049 two things. I know what it's like to work shift 83 00:04:09,116 --> 00:04:12,819 work. I know what it's like to be an executive within a 84 00:04:12,886 --> 00:04:15,556 what it's like to be an elected official. You're 85 00:04:15,622 --> 00:04:17,891 going to need all those skills to make sure that 86 00:04:17,958 --> 00:04:20,294 you have a governor who's going to be ready on day 87 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:23,096 one. at all these candidates 88 00:04:23,163 --> 00:04:26,033 should be thinking more in terms of which candidate 89 00:04:26,099 --> 00:04:27,901 maybe has an issue they most closely align to, or 90 00:04:27,968 --> 00:04:30,971 is it about electability? >> I think it's both. I 91 00:04:31,038 --> 00:04:33,574 think you can look at the issues for all the 92 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,844 different candidates and values, but then we also 93 00:04:36,910 --> 00:04:40,047 have to look to the general to see who's going to be 94 00:04:40,113 --> 00:04:41,949 able to get across the finish line in November. 95 00:04:42,015 --> 00:04:43,817 >> Most of the candidates in this race have 96 00:04:43,884 --> 00:04:46,220 connections to either Madison or Milwaukee. What 97 00:04:46,286 --> 00:04:48,655 are you doing to reach the rest of the state? Rural 98 00:04:48,722 --> 00:04:51,859 areas, exurban areas? live in Waukesha County. 99 00:04:51,925 --> 00:04:53,994 And so that is not that is very different than 100 00:04:54,061 --> 00:04:56,897 Milwaukee County. But what I am doing in the primary 101 00:04:56,964 --> 00:04:59,867 is I am again going to all 72 counties. We are doing 102 00:04:59,933 --> 00:05:02,703 listening sessions all across the state because I 103 00:05:02,769 --> 00:05:05,105 firmly believe you can't lead unless you listen. And 104 00:05:05,172 --> 00:05:07,708 so that's how I'm doing my outreach. I'm going to 105 00:05:07,774 --> 00:05:10,677 continue to do that tour all across the state, 106 00:05:10,744 --> 00:05:12,946 hearing what people want in their governor, hearing 107 00:05:13,013 --> 00:05:15,148 what's going on in their communities, because all 108 00:05:15,215 --> 00:05:17,951 politics is local and we need to be able to listen 109 00:05:18,018 --> 00:05:19,720 to our constituents. >> What impact do you think 110 00:05:19,786 --> 00:05:23,690 Donald Trump will have on this election? 111 00:05:23,757 --> 00:05:26,860 chaos in Washington right now. And I think when we're 112 00:05:26,927 --> 00:05:30,330 looking at who could possibly be the Republican 113 00:05:30,397 --> 00:05:33,734 governor candidate, that's Tom Tiffany there is very 114 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,004 little daylight between him and Trump. And so if that 115 00:05:37,070 --> 00:05:40,374 chaos in Washington could absolutely trickle down 116 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:43,577 into into Wisconsin, if somebody is going to be 117 00:05:43,644 --> 00:05:46,513 electing Tom Tiffany as governor. 118 00:05:46,580 --> 00:05:49,716 >> Thank you so much for having me. 119 00:05:50,651 --> 00:05:53,020 you'll get to know those running in the August 120 00:05:53,086 --> 00:05:56,857 primary for governor. Last week, you heard from two 121 00:05:56,924 --> 00:06:00,761 Republicans in the race. Up next, Zach sits down with 122 00:06:00,827 --> 00:06:03,463 Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. 123 00:06:03,530 --> 00:06:05,766 >> David Crowley, thanks for joining us. 124 00:06:05,832 --> 00:06:09,403 >> So happy to be here. Thank you for having me. 125 00:06:09,469 --> 00:06:13,340 >> So for voters who don't elevator pitch, introduce 126 00:06:13,407 --> 00:06:16,476 running? husband. I'm a father. I'm 127 00:06:16,543 --> 00:06:19,780 the Milwaukee County executive and a lifelong 128 00:06:19,847 --> 00:06:21,748 Wisconsinites. And I was born and raised in the city 129 00:06:21,815 --> 00:06:24,818 of Milwaukee. And I know there's so much that our 130 00:06:24,885 --> 00:06:27,821 entire state has to offer. And so I'm running for 131 00:06:27,888 --> 00:06:31,091 in the state, I believe in its people. But more 132 00:06:31,158 --> 00:06:32,926 importantly, I know how to deliver results. And I know 133 00:06:32,993 --> 00:06:35,729 that there are a lot of people who are dealing with 134 00:06:35,796 --> 00:06:37,731 the affordability crisis. And, you know, there are 135 00:06:37,798 --> 00:06:40,067 many families who are getting less, even if 136 00:06:40,133 --> 00:06:41,735 they're making more and more money today. And so 137 00:06:41,802 --> 00:06:44,204 with life getting more expensive and families 138 00:06:44,271 --> 00:06:46,907 getting Streu's, it doesn't mean that we can't help 139 00:06:46,974 --> 00:06:48,809 Wisconsinites out. And that's why I'm running for 140 00:06:48,876 --> 00:06:50,978 governor to be a governor for all of us. 141 00:06:51,044 --> 00:06:53,981 >> Is there a single issue that drives you, or perhaps 142 00:06:54,047 --> 00:06:55,849 a lane within the Democratic Party that 143 00:06:55,916 --> 00:06:58,785 defines you? affordability crisis 144 00:06:58,852 --> 00:07:01,922 because things are rising in costs, whether we're 145 00:07:01,989 --> 00:07:04,424 talking housing, whether we're talking groceries, 146 00:07:04,491 --> 00:07:06,760 we're seeing utilities and people are seeing the rise 147 00:07:06,827 --> 00:07:09,162 in inflation under this current administration, and 148 00:07:09,229 --> 00:07:11,798 they want somebody who's going to be there for them, 149 00:07:11,865 --> 00:07:14,902 not just the governor who's going to listen, but who's 150 00:07:14,968 --> 00:07:16,703 built solutions from the ground up, who's going to 151 00:07:16,770 --> 00:07:20,307 make sure that people are at the table who are 152 00:07:20,374 --> 00:07:22,843 directly impacted by the sure that they can be a 153 00:07:22,910 --> 00:07:25,746 part of the decision making. At the same time. 154 00:07:25,812 --> 00:07:28,649 >> How much money do you need to raise in order to 155 00:07:28,715 --> 00:07:31,718 be competitive and win this primary? 156 00:07:31,785 --> 00:07:34,688 to tell you that it's unfortunate how much money 157 00:07:34,755 --> 00:07:37,824 is being spent in elections that we have been breaking 158 00:07:37,891 --> 00:07:39,826 many, many different records when it comes down 159 00:07:39,893 --> 00:07:43,063 to campaign spending. We've seen that in the two 160 00:07:43,130 --> 00:07:46,033 Supreme Court races here locally. But I also don't 161 00:07:46,099 --> 00:07:49,169 think that we should play behind the eight ball. And 162 00:07:49,236 --> 00:07:50,971 so I'm going to continue to fundraise here locally to 163 00:07:51,038 --> 00:07:53,841 make sure that we have enough resources to get us 164 00:07:53,907 --> 00:07:56,610 over, not just the primary election, but to get us 165 00:07:56,677 --> 00:07:58,979 through the general as well. >> When it comes to a 166 00:07:59,046 --> 00:08:01,982 primary like this, what is the line for you personally 167 00:08:02,049 --> 00:08:03,817 between negative campaigning against a 168 00:08:03,884 --> 00:08:06,553 member of your own party versus defining maybe some 169 00:08:06,620 --> 00:08:08,589 flaws or some issue differences between you and 170 00:08:08,655 --> 00:08:11,525 an opponent? >> You know, these 171 00:08:11,592 --> 00:08:14,862 elections are opportunities for the electorate to know 172 00:08:14,928 --> 00:08:17,865 who each person is. And so we're going to just stick 173 00:08:17,931 --> 00:08:20,734 to the facts, stick to the things that, you know, we 174 00:08:20,801 --> 00:08:23,070 have done on this, on this campaign trail, what I have 175 00:08:23,136 --> 00:08:26,740 done as Milwaukee County Executive. This isn't about 176 00:08:26,807 --> 00:08:28,642 mudslinging. This is really about focusing on how we 177 00:08:28,709 --> 00:08:31,845 are going to deliver results for those that we 178 00:08:31,912 --> 00:08:35,082 represent. No matter if you live in an urban, suburban 179 00:08:35,148 --> 00:08:37,951 or rural area, this is about how to make sure that 180 00:08:38,018 --> 00:08:39,987 we're going to make life easier for those families, 181 00:08:40,053 --> 00:08:42,256 for those individuals, for those workers every single 182 00:08:42,322 --> 00:08:44,825 day. And that's what we're going to focus on, because 183 00:08:44,892 --> 00:08:47,694 that's what matters. That's not a Republican or 184 00:08:47,761 --> 00:08:50,998 about the Wisconsin agenda. >> So for voters who only 185 00:08:51,064 --> 00:08:54,134 care about winning, of seeing their party win, do 186 00:08:54,201 --> 00:08:56,537 you think they should be focusing more on the issues 187 00:08:56,603 --> 00:09:00,574 that candidates represent >> Well, we got to focus on 188 00:09:00,641 --> 00:09:03,844 on both. We got to focus on the issues that are 189 00:09:03,911 --> 00:09:05,846 affecting communities all across this entire state. 190 00:09:05,913 --> 00:09:08,916 But we also need someone who has experience. You 191 00:09:08,982 --> 00:09:12,019 know, I bring a very unique executive leadership, 192 00:09:12,085 --> 00:09:14,788 spending seven years in the state Capitol, but also 193 00:09:14,855 --> 00:09:18,025 serving as the county executive for the past five 194 00:09:18,091 --> 00:09:21,061 years. And so I'm the only candidate in this race that 195 00:09:21,128 --> 00:09:22,829 has experience in the legislature, but actually 196 00:09:22,896 --> 00:09:24,965 running a government, balancing billion dollar 197 00:09:25,032 --> 00:09:28,602 budgets and really tackling the issues head on. So I 198 00:09:28,669 --> 00:09:31,305 think it's a it's a combination of both, but 199 00:09:31,371 --> 00:09:34,842 it's about how do we outside of our comfort zone, 200 00:09:34,908 --> 00:09:37,611 go all across the entire state of Wisconsin to let 201 00:09:37,678 --> 00:09:40,013 voters know what we're putting on the table? 202 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:42,349 >> Most of the Democrats in this race have connections 203 00:09:42,416 --> 00:09:44,985 either to Madison or Milwaukee. How do you reach 204 00:09:45,052 --> 00:09:47,855 the rest of the state? Rural Wisconsin Outstate 205 00:09:47,921 --> 00:09:50,157 >> Well, I think it's no secret. I'm uniquely 206 00:09:50,224 --> 00:09:52,826 positioned to bring out more Democratic votes out 207 00:09:52,893 --> 00:09:54,728 of Milwaukee County than any other candidate in this 208 00:09:54,795 --> 00:09:58,932 race, especially winning with 85% of the vote. With 209 00:09:58,999 --> 00:10:01,835 my last reelection just in 2024. But it's about 210 00:10:01,902 --> 00:10:04,638 showing up. Folks want a governor who's going to 211 00:10:04,705 --> 00:10:07,007 listen, who's going to be there for them, and make 212 00:10:07,074 --> 00:10:09,843 sure that they're at the table when it comes down to 213 00:10:09,910 --> 00:10:12,045 figuring out those solutions. And I'm the only 214 00:10:12,112 --> 00:10:13,947 candidate who has to, that has a proven track record 215 00:10:14,014 --> 00:10:17,985 that I can deliver on the things that we're talking 216 00:10:18,051 --> 00:10:20,921 campaign trail in 2023, you know, I worked together to 217 00:10:20,988 --> 00:10:22,990 build a coalition all across the state of 218 00:10:23,056 --> 00:10:25,025 Wisconsin, building stakeholders, government 219 00:10:25,092 --> 00:10:28,829 business leaders to pass act 12, which allowed for 220 00:10:28,896 --> 00:10:32,165 more money to come from Madison, to go to every 221 00:10:32,232 --> 00:10:34,067 local municipality, no matter its size, so they 222 00:10:34,134 --> 00:10:36,937 can invest in things that matter for them. Things 223 00:10:37,004 --> 00:10:40,974 like fire, police, housing, transportation, the quality 224 00:10:41,041 --> 00:10:44,144 of life issues that matter to those local residents. 225 00:10:44,211 --> 00:10:47,114 And I'm going to continue to do that as the next 226 00:10:47,181 --> 00:10:48,949 governor of Wisconsin. >> What impact do you think 227 00:10:49,016 --> 00:10:51,919 Donald Trump will have on this primary, first of all, 228 00:10:51,985 --> 00:10:54,821 and on the election in general? 229 00:10:54,888 --> 00:10:57,558 know, no matter who is in the highest office in the 230 00:10:57,624 --> 00:10:59,826 land, whether that's a Democratic Joe Biden or 231 00:10:59,893 --> 00:11:02,095 President Donald Trump, they're going to put their 232 00:11:02,162 --> 00:11:04,998 thumb on this scale. But I think it's extremely 233 00:11:05,065 --> 00:11:08,068 important that it's not just about fighting back 234 00:11:08,135 --> 00:11:09,870 against many of these dangerous policies that 235 00:11:09,937 --> 00:11:12,139 we're seeing coming out of Washington, D.C. it's about 236 00:11:12,206 --> 00:11:15,008 what vision, what agenda? As Democrats are we going 237 00:11:15,075 --> 00:11:17,878 to put on the table? I know that I'm frustrated with 238 00:11:17,945 --> 00:11:20,681 who's occupying the white House like many others, but 239 00:11:20,747 --> 00:11:23,083 also as a healthy level of frustration with Democrats 240 00:11:23,150 --> 00:11:27,387 and Republicans not being able to put an agenda on 241 00:11:27,454 --> 00:11:30,057 the table, not bringing a cohesive message to really 242 00:11:30,123 --> 00:11:33,026 energize the base and put something put an 243 00:11:33,093 --> 00:11:34,962 alternative out there. And we're going to do this on 244 00:11:35,028 --> 00:11:38,131 this campaign, making sure that folks understand that 245 00:11:38,198 --> 00:11:41,635 this is going to be a new campaign, whether you're a 246 00:11:41,702 --> 00:11:43,604 Democrat, Republican or independent, or don't care 247 00:11:43,670 --> 00:11:46,907 about politics in general. There's room on this 248 00:11:46,974 --> 00:11:49,843 campaign for you. >> All right. David Crowley, 249 00:11:49,910 --> 00:11:52,279 thanks for your time. >> Thank you so much. Thank 250 00:11:52,346 --> 00:11:55,015 you for having me. >> Another of the total of 251 00:11:55,082 --> 00:11:58,685 seven Democrats running for governor, State Senator 252 00:11:58,752 --> 00:12:01,755 Kelda Roys tells us about her experience and 253 00:12:01,822 --> 00:12:04,791 candidacy in this interview with Zac Schultz. 254 00:12:04,858 --> 00:12:08,662 >> Kelda. Roys, thanks for joining us. 255 00:12:08,729 --> 00:12:11,331 Zach. elevator pitch, introduce 256 00:12:11,398 --> 00:12:14,034 yourself and say, why are you running for governor? 257 00:12:14,101 --> 00:12:16,904 >> I'm running for governor because Wisconsin needs 258 00:12:16,970 --> 00:12:19,907 higher wages, lower costs and more freedom. We face a 259 00:12:19,973 --> 00:12:22,943 huge threat from the Trump administration, and we need 260 00:12:23,010 --> 00:12:25,779 a governor who is willing to stand up to the bullies 261 00:12:25,846 --> 00:12:29,750 and billionaires and fight to protect Wisconsinites 262 00:12:29,816 --> 00:12:32,152 same time, we also have an incredible opportunity to 263 00:12:32,219 --> 00:12:35,756 actually elect a governor who is able to govern and 264 00:12:35,822 --> 00:12:39,159 pass laws with a new, fairer legislature. 265 00:12:39,226 --> 00:12:41,995 >> Is there a single issue that drives you, or perhaps 266 00:12:42,062 --> 00:12:44,231 a lane within the Democratic Party that may 267 00:12:44,298 --> 00:12:47,067 define you? >> I think it's all about 268 00:12:47,134 --> 00:12:50,270 making it possible for working people to have the 269 00:12:50,337 --> 00:12:54,308 freedom to thrive in this have seen their wages 270 00:12:54,374 --> 00:12:55,876 stagnate or even go down. Meanwhile, the cost of 271 00:12:55,943 --> 00:12:58,212 living are skyrocketing. Everything from housing to 272 00:12:58,278 --> 00:13:01,748 healthcare, childcare and utilities is going up. We 273 00:13:01,815 --> 00:13:03,951 have to make Wisconsin a place where people can 274 00:13:04,017 --> 00:13:07,254 afford to live and have a good life. 275 00:13:07,888 --> 00:13:09,723 need to raise to be competitive and win this 276 00:13:09,790 --> 00:13:12,259 primary? And will that leave any room for the 277 00:13:12,326 --> 00:13:13,961 general election after that? >> Yeah, I'm very confident 278 00:13:14,027 --> 00:13:16,597 that we're going to have a good pot of money that's 279 00:13:16,663 --> 00:13:18,732 been raised by the Democratic Party and 280 00:13:18,799 --> 00:13:20,767 national partners for whomever our nominee is. I 281 00:13:20,834 --> 00:13:23,837 think the primary, it depends on who all is 282 00:13:23,904 --> 00:13:26,106 running, but I'm confident I'm going to have the 283 00:13:26,173 --> 00:13:28,775 resources needed to run a strong campaign and prevail. 284 00:13:28,842 --> 00:13:31,678 >> When it comes to a competitive primary, you're 285 00:13:31,745 --> 00:13:34,982 no stranger to those. your view, between negative 286 00:13:35,048 --> 00:13:38,051 campaigning against a versus defining differences 287 00:13:38,118 --> 00:13:40,621 between candidates? >> Well, I think primaries 288 00:13:40,687 --> 00:13:42,856 are really important opportunity for voters to 289 00:13:42,923 --> 00:13:44,958 vet the candidates and see what their experience is, 290 00:13:45,025 --> 00:13:48,195 see how they perform under pressure. There's going to 291 00:13:48,262 --> 00:13:50,097 be a huge spotlight on Wisconsin. This is an 292 00:13:50,163 --> 00:13:52,900 incredibly important high stakes race in one of the 293 00:13:52,966 --> 00:13:54,801 most pivotal states in the country. And it is 294 00:13:54,868 --> 00:13:57,971 essential that we have a governor who not only is 295 00:13:58,038 --> 00:14:00,107 able to stand up to the Trump administration when 296 00:14:00,174 --> 00:14:02,809 needed, but also capable of actually making the change 297 00:14:02,876 --> 00:14:05,045 that we need in this narrow window of opportunity that 298 00:14:05,112 --> 00:14:08,081 we're going to have. >> When primary voters are 299 00:14:08,148 --> 00:14:09,883 looking at these candidates, should they be thinking in 300 00:14:09,950 --> 00:14:12,886 terms of which issue they most closely relate to, a 301 00:14:12,953 --> 00:14:14,888 candidate or simply electability? 302 00:14:14,955 --> 00:14:18,158 >> Well, I think each voter is going to decide for him 303 00:14:18,225 --> 00:14:20,661 or herself what matters. And I ask everyone in 304 00:14:20,727 --> 00:14:23,330 Wisconsin for your vote on August 11th and November 305 00:14:23,397 --> 00:14:26,900 3rd. But I really want to make the argument that 306 00:14:26,967 --> 00:14:29,036 whatever the issue that you care about is, the most 307 00:14:29,102 --> 00:14:32,206 important thing is having a governor who can win and 308 00:14:32,272 --> 00:14:34,641 who can actually get things done. I have spent over 20 309 00:14:34,708 --> 00:14:37,244 years working in and around state government in a 310 00:14:37,311 --> 00:14:40,047 variety of capacities as a legislator in the Senate 311 00:14:40,113 --> 00:14:42,316 and the Assembly, as the only candidate running that 312 00:14:42,382 --> 00:14:45,018 served on the Joint Finance Committee, small business 313 00:14:45,085 --> 00:14:48,655 owner, mom, attorney and I have been able to get 314 00:14:48,722 --> 00:14:52,292 meaningful legislation passed on a whole variety 315 00:14:52,359 --> 00:14:56,096 of issues through every split. Those skills are 316 00:14:56,163 --> 00:14:58,799 going to be essential for our next governor. If we 317 00:14:58,866 --> 00:15:01,034 want to actually make change in this state. 318 00:15:01,101 --> 00:15:04,238 >> All of the Democrats running for office have 319 00:15:04,304 --> 00:15:05,772 connections either to Madison or Milwaukee. What 320 00:15:05,839 --> 00:15:08,909 is your job in terms of introducing yourself to the 321 00:15:08,976 --> 00:15:10,711 rest of the state, especially rural Wisconsin, 322 00:15:10,777 --> 00:15:14,081 that may not recognize your name? 323 00:15:14,147 --> 00:15:16,850 spent my career traveling around the state and 324 00:15:16,917 --> 00:15:19,786 building relationships and trying to build democratic 325 00:15:19,853 --> 00:15:23,991 power. And I'm actually from Taylor County. I was 326 00:15:24,057 --> 00:15:26,827 born in Marshfield, grew up in a one room schoolhouse 327 00:15:26,894 --> 00:15:28,862 in rural Taylor County, north of highway 29. I'm 328 00:15:28,929 --> 00:15:32,099 the only candidate that had a pet goat as a child, and 329 00:15:32,165 --> 00:15:34,868 so it's been really fun for me to travel around the 330 00:15:34,935 --> 00:15:37,671 state, areas where I have deep family roots or other 331 00:15:37,738 --> 00:15:39,940 connections that I've built throughout my career, 332 00:15:40,007 --> 00:15:42,776 reconnect with people and meet new people, and the 333 00:15:42,843 --> 00:15:45,012 reception has been really strong. 334 00:15:45,078 --> 00:15:48,182 impact of Donald Trump will be on this election? 335 00:15:48,248 --> 00:15:52,986 >> I think that people in Wisconsin are feeling angry 336 00:15:53,053 --> 00:15:57,824 and hopeless about the economic situation, the 337 00:15:57,891 --> 00:16:01,094 chaos and the corruption that we are seeing by this 338 00:16:01,161 --> 00:16:02,596 administration is unprecedented, and we're 339 00:16:02,663 --> 00:16:07,034 also seeing him shredding our Constitution and the 340 00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:10,904 and as a patriotic American, I think that what Trump is 341 00:16:10,971 --> 00:16:12,840 doing is totally unacceptable, and we need 342 00:16:12,906 --> 00:16:16,276 to have strong governors who are willing to stand up 343 00:16:16,343 --> 00:16:20,347 and hold him accountable, you know, private 344 00:16:20,414 --> 00:16:22,916 paramilitary force that he's building with ICE. We 345 00:16:22,983 --> 00:16:26,453 can have secure borders without violating people's 346 00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:28,755 rights and destroying the things that make this 347 00:16:28,822 --> 00:16:30,824 country good. >> Kelda Roys, thanks for 348 00:16:30,891 --> 00:16:32,426 your time. >> Great to be with you. 349 00:16:32,492 --> 00:16:35,395 Thank you. >> Wisconsin health 350 00:16:36,797 --> 00:16:39,633 new federal guidance on hepatitis B vaccinations 351 00:16:39,700 --> 00:16:42,836 for newborns and maintaining current 352 00:16:42,903 --> 00:16:45,672 guidance that babies should get the shot within 24 353 00:16:45,739 --> 00:16:48,509 hours of birth. State Department of Health 354 00:16:48,575 --> 00:16:51,211 Services Chief Medical Officer Doctor Ryan 355 00:16:51,278 --> 00:16:55,115 Westergaard shared more. >> Guidance from Wisconsin 356 00:16:55,182 --> 00:16:57,985 Department of Health Services is unchanged, 357 00:16:58,051 --> 00:17:00,888 actually, and that is that all children should get 358 00:17:00,954 --> 00:17:03,724 vaccinated with three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine, 359 00:17:03,790 --> 00:17:06,660 and the first dose should be given in the first 24 360 00:17:06,727 --> 00:17:08,929 hours of life. This is a standard that has been 361 00:17:08,996 --> 00:17:11,765 going on for a very long time, and has been very 362 00:17:11,832 --> 00:17:14,801 successful in reducing the prevalence of hepatitis B 363 00:17:14,868 --> 00:17:17,204 in Americans, and we're very concerned that if that 364 00:17:17,271 --> 00:17:19,606 were to change that we would lose ground, that 365 00:17:19,673 --> 00:17:22,776 there would be more hepatitis B among infants. 366 00:17:22,843 --> 00:17:25,279 And that's very dangerous because hepatitis B can 367 00:17:25,345 --> 00:17:27,981 cause lifelong chronic liver disease and result in 368 00:17:28,048 --> 00:17:31,185 cancer and cirrhosis and problems that we have the 369 00:17:31,251 --> 00:17:34,054 ability to prevent. >> How are patients and 370 00:17:34,121 --> 00:17:37,024 families to kind of make sense of childhood or even 371 00:17:37,090 --> 00:17:40,093 Covid vaccine schedules when the federal advisers 372 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:43,697 are guiding one thing and the state is coming back in 373 00:17:43,764 --> 00:17:48,302 and saying no, maintain our current guidance. 374 00:17:48,368 --> 00:17:50,938 >> Our hope is that we can put the best available 375 00:17:51,004 --> 00:17:54,408 science out there, communicate clearly on what 376 00:17:54,474 --> 00:17:57,077 we think the science says, understand that people will 377 00:17:57,144 --> 00:17:59,246 have questions. Encourage people to ask those 378 00:17:59,313 --> 00:18:02,149 questions of their clinician for whom with 379 00:18:02,216 --> 00:18:04,852 whom they have a relationship, and when the 380 00:18:04,918 --> 00:18:06,887 science is available and those conversations happen, 381 00:18:06,954 --> 00:18:10,023 we're confident that people can make the right decision. 382 00:18:10,090 --> 00:18:12,593 And in this case, the evidence is pretty clear 383 00:18:12,659 --> 00:18:15,762 that hepatitis B vaccination for all 384 00:18:15,829 --> 00:18:20,067 children is is the safest approach and the most 385 00:18:20,133 --> 00:18:22,302 effective approach to preventing this particular 386 00:18:22,369 --> 00:18:25,005 virus. >> In other health related 387 00:18:25,072 --> 00:18:29,309 news, the number of farmers facing significant mental 388 00:18:29,376 --> 00:18:33,614 health challenges has been increasing for decades. But 389 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,016 "Here& Now"? Reporter Steven Potter has this 390 00:18:36,083 --> 00:18:38,919 story about the efforts of state funded programs and 391 00:18:38,986 --> 00:18:42,723 the growth in volunteer groups stepping up to meet 392 00:18:42,789 --> 00:18:46,159 the need and help farmers. As a warning, the following 393 00:18:46,226 --> 00:18:51,031 story does discuss suicide. >> He was always the the 394 00:18:52,799 --> 00:18:55,903 happy guy who had a good story to share, and 395 00:18:55,969 --> 00:18:57,871 everybody's like, I never would have thought your dad 396 00:18:57,938 --> 00:19:00,274 would have done this. >> Growing up in 397 00:19:00,340 --> 00:19:02,042 northwestern Wisconsin, where her family has raised 398 00:19:02,109 --> 00:19:05,179 cows and grown crops on the same stretch of land since 399 00:19:05,245 --> 00:19:08,482 the 1880s, Jennifer Webster remembers her father as a 400 00:19:08,549 --> 00:19:11,185 proud farmer. >> I think my dad chose to 401 00:19:11,251 --> 00:19:13,854 farm because he truly enjoyed it. He enjoyed 402 00:19:13,921 --> 00:19:16,790 being a steward of the land. >> She says. The work was 403 00:19:16,857 --> 00:19:19,793 difficult but rewarding. >> Especially like when you 404 00:19:19,860 --> 00:19:22,696 plant the crop, you see it through to the growing 405 00:19:22,763 --> 00:19:24,898 season and then you harvest it. And he really enjoyed 406 00:19:24,965 --> 00:19:27,868 to to see all of his hard work pay off. 407 00:19:27,935 --> 00:19:29,870 >> But over the years things changed. 408 00:19:29,937 --> 00:19:32,973 >> He had had a rough spring just with how the 409 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:36,643 farming economy was going. He had mentioned to my mom 410 00:19:36,710 --> 00:19:39,213 that farming wasn't fun anymore a couple of months 411 00:19:39,279 --> 00:19:41,615 before he had died. >> And then her father, 412 00:19:41,682 --> 00:19:44,151 Bryan Webster, made one last decision that would 413 00:19:44,218 --> 00:19:47,087 send shockwaves through his family and the local 414 00:19:47,154 --> 00:19:49,423 farming community. >> He died by suicide, 415 00:19:49,489 --> 00:19:53,160 actually, on our farm in August of 2023. 416 00:19:54,828 --> 00:19:57,631 >> While no one expected he would take his own life, 417 00:19:57,698 --> 00:20:00,300 her father did have known problems with his mental 418 00:20:00,367 --> 00:20:03,036 health problems he was trying to solve. 419 00:20:03,103 --> 00:20:06,073 >> He was actually seeking medical care for depression. 420 00:20:06,139 --> 00:20:09,977 He was on medication and actually was going to go to 421 00:20:10,043 --> 00:20:13,847 therapy. But for whatever reason, he couldn't find a 422 00:20:13,914 --> 00:20:17,451 solution to to different things that were bothering 423 00:20:17,518 --> 00:20:19,853 him. alone in the grief of 424 00:20:21,822 --> 00:20:24,958 losing a farmer and loved one to suicide. According 425 00:20:25,025 --> 00:20:27,895 to the federal centers for Disease Control. Suicide in 426 00:20:27,961 --> 00:20:32,299 rural parts of America increased 46% from 2000 to 427 00:20:32,366 --> 00:20:35,769 2020. That's nearly twice the suicide rate of urban 428 00:20:35,836 --> 00:20:40,007 areas. More specifically, according to the National 429 00:20:40,073 --> 00:20:42,409 Rural Health Association, farmers and agriculture 430 00:20:42,476 --> 00:20:45,946 workers have a suicide rate that's 3.5 times higher 431 00:20:46,013 --> 00:20:48,549 than the general population. Several individuals, 432 00:20:48,615 --> 00:20:50,817 organizations and government agencies are 433 00:20:50,884 --> 00:20:53,687 trying to make sense of these heightened suicide 434 00:20:53,754 --> 00:20:57,758 statistics. One of them is Karen Endres, who runs the 435 00:20:57,824 --> 00:20:59,793 Farmer Wellness Program for the State of Wisconsin Farm 436 00:20:59,860 --> 00:21:03,197 Center. >> When farmers don't take 437 00:21:03,263 --> 00:21:05,832 care of their emotional wellness, it becomes very 438 00:21:05,899 --> 00:21:10,003 challenging. They're isolating. They also 439 00:21:10,070 --> 00:21:13,040 overwork, and it gets to be very stressful. The number 440 00:21:13,106 --> 00:21:15,976 one stressor for farmers is time management. There's 441 00:21:16,043 --> 00:21:19,913 just not enough time in the day to get everything done 442 00:21:19,980 --> 00:21:23,650 that we need to get done to take care of our land, as 443 00:21:23,717 --> 00:21:26,954 well as take care of our livestock. 444 00:21:27,354 --> 00:21:29,756 as a dairy farmer, Endres says that agricultural work 445 00:21:29,823 --> 00:21:32,793 is full of uncertainty. >> We don't have a lot of 446 00:21:32,860 --> 00:21:36,196 stability, so that is a very large stressor for 447 00:21:36,263 --> 00:21:39,833 farmers is the market conditions. And in the 448 00:21:39,900 --> 00:21:42,769 world we are today when we just we don't have control 449 00:21:42,836 --> 00:21:46,106 over trade agreements and other things, and that can 450 00:21:46,173 --> 00:21:48,842 add a lot of pressure when you don't know what your 451 00:21:48,909 --> 00:21:51,879 income will be. >> Webster adds that there 452 00:21:51,945 --> 00:21:53,914 are several other stressors, like severe weather and 453 00:21:53,981 --> 00:21:57,718 sick animals. >> You kind of have to be 454 00:21:57,784 --> 00:21:59,686 able to adjust. >> But she says some 455 00:21:59,753 --> 00:22:02,623 farmers are not able to adjust and can't cope with 456 00:22:02,689 --> 00:22:05,993 the pressure. so they kind of crawl into 457 00:22:06,059 --> 00:22:07,995 a hole. Because farmers are very prideful, they think 458 00:22:08,061 --> 00:22:11,532 that they can manage it. We're finding more and more 459 00:22:11,598 --> 00:22:14,268 farmers are experiencing depression because they're 460 00:22:14,334 --> 00:22:16,904 keeping it all bottled up. So it's really hard to 461 00:22:16,970 --> 00:22:20,774 really be able to express those and put your pride 462 00:22:20,841 --> 00:22:22,643 aside and say, and raise your hand and say, I'm 463 00:22:22,709 --> 00:22:24,778 struggling. >> There are state run 464 00:22:24,845 --> 00:22:26,413 programs designed specifically for farmers 465 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:29,016 struggling with their mental health. 466 00:22:29,082 --> 00:22:31,985 >> We connect farmers to either in-person or 467 00:22:32,052 --> 00:22:36,023 telehealth visits with licensed clinical social 468 00:22:36,089 --> 00:22:38,892 workers, counselors throughout our state that 469 00:22:38,959 --> 00:22:41,662 are interested in working with farmers. 470 00:22:41,728 --> 00:22:45,032 >> Endres says. A 24 over seven mental health 471 00:22:45,098 --> 00:22:47,067 helpline, as well as online support groups and therapy 472 00:22:47,134 --> 00:22:50,070 vouchers offered through the state's Farmer Wellness 473 00:22:50,137 --> 00:22:53,273 Program, have seen a spike in interest over the last 474 00:22:53,340 --> 00:22:56,944 few years. increase in the volume of 475 00:22:57,010 --> 00:23:00,013 calls, whether that's more people being aware of the 476 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:03,884 program or increased stress on our farms. But it's all 477 00:23:03,951 --> 00:23:06,987 of us out there. We're dealing in some very heavy 478 00:23:07,054 --> 00:23:10,023 times right now. >> Overall, the 24 over 479 00:23:10,090 --> 00:23:12,893 seven farmer helpline has seen nearly 750 calls this 480 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:16,730 year, and the therapy voucher system has grown 481 00:23:16,797 --> 00:23:20,968 from about 200 vouchers issued in 2021 to 500 482 00:23:21,034 --> 00:23:23,904 vouchers issued this year. Farmers are also becoming 483 00:23:23,971 --> 00:23:27,541 more willing to share with each other. 484 00:23:28,208 --> 00:23:30,744 groups were up over 50% in attendance last year. We 485 00:23:30,811 --> 00:23:33,747 created a new group last year just to fill the 486 00:23:33,814 --> 00:23:37,784 demand of people wanting to connect, wanting to talk. 487 00:23:37,851 --> 00:23:41,088 >> Aside from the cost of a therapist and the 488 00:23:41,154 --> 00:23:44,725 and getting an appointment, there's another barrier 489 00:23:44,791 --> 00:23:47,227 from seeking help with their mental health. And 490 00:23:47,294 --> 00:23:49,630 that's the stigma behind admitting that they need 491 00:23:49,696 --> 00:23:53,133 help in the first place. >> They work really long 492 00:23:53,200 --> 00:23:55,769 hours, and a lot of them are just you're raised to 493 00:23:55,836 --> 00:23:59,506 be very independent and self-reliant. 494 00:23:59,973 --> 00:24:02,709 Southwest Health Behavioral Services in Grant County, 495 00:24:02,776 --> 00:24:06,046 says that her client base of farmers and their 496 00:24:06,113 --> 00:24:08,916 problems continues to grow. >> The biggest ones I 497 00:24:08,982 --> 00:24:12,186 probably see are like the depression and anxiety. And 498 00:24:12,252 --> 00:24:14,955 then also, again, kind of starting to use substances 499 00:24:15,022 --> 00:24:16,990 to help cope because they don't know where else to 500 00:24:17,057 --> 00:24:18,792 turn. >> But once farmers do get 501 00:24:18,859 --> 00:24:21,929 some help, things begin to improve. 502 00:24:21,995 --> 00:24:24,865 >> Just helping to kind of get over that stigma or 503 00:24:24,932 --> 00:24:28,702 that that kind of sense of, I'm really hesitant to do 504 00:24:28,769 --> 00:24:31,572 this. You can tell, like they're starting to take 505 00:24:31,638 --> 00:24:34,041 care of themselves a little bit more, or they're 506 00:24:34,107 --> 00:24:35,609 starting to feel like spirits are up a little 507 00:24:35,676 --> 00:24:38,212 more. >> We're all working 508 00:24:38,278 --> 00:24:41,648 together to try to help farmers understand that 509 00:24:41,715 --> 00:24:45,052 it's okay not to be okay. >> Families like the 510 00:24:45,118 --> 00:24:46,787 Websters know that nothing will bring their loved ones 511 00:24:46,854 --> 00:24:49,690 back, but they can try to help other farmers from 512 00:24:49,756 --> 00:24:53,293 sinking so deep into depression and hopelessness 513 00:24:53,360 --> 00:24:54,828 that they end their own lives. And that's where 514 00:24:54,895 --> 00:24:57,998 organizations like the Farmer Angel Network come 515 00:24:58,065 --> 00:25:00,634 in. is an organization that 516 00:25:01,201 --> 00:25:04,471 focuses around farmer to farmer suicide prevention. 517 00:25:04,538 --> 00:25:09,142 We are an organization that, in western Wisconsin that 518 00:25:09,209 --> 00:25:12,346 really promotes fellowship and encouraging 519 00:25:12,412 --> 00:25:14,915 conversations in our community around farm 520 00:25:14,982 --> 00:25:17,651 mental health. the network, Webster and 521 00:25:17,718 --> 00:25:19,987 others have raised awareness about the 522 00:25:20,053 --> 00:25:22,689 struggles farmers face by hosting community events 523 00:25:22,756 --> 00:25:25,759 like picnics and educating health care providers. 524 00:25:25,826 --> 00:25:29,496 Their goal is to make farmers feel seen, 525 00:25:30,264 --> 00:25:32,900 recognized, and appreciated. >> One other thing we do is 526 00:25:32,966 --> 00:25:36,837 we do what I call random acts of kindness. So we 527 00:25:36,904 --> 00:25:38,839 give gift cards to farmers where, especially if you're 528 00:25:38,906 --> 00:25:41,875 a dairy farmer, going out for dinner with your family 529 00:25:41,942 --> 00:25:44,178 can be really challenging. >> As she and her brothers 530 00:25:44,244 --> 00:25:46,680 and mother Steil at the Webster Farm know that help 531 00:25:46,747 --> 00:25:49,383 is needed now more than ever. 532 00:25:49,449 --> 00:25:53,187 >> We definitely want to be able to give them a sense 533 00:25:53,253 --> 00:25:57,057 of hope that that that their life is, is worth 534 00:25:57,124 --> 00:26:00,928 living. Their farm is worth, is worth the fight. And 535 00:26:00,994 --> 00:26:04,765 just giving them a sense of of hope and opportunity and 536 00:26:04,831 --> 00:26:08,735 providing resources for them to help them cope. 537 00:26:08,802 --> 00:26:11,104 >> Reporting from Pierce County. I'm Steven Potter 538 00:26:11,171 --> 00:26:13,841 for "Here& Now". >> I want to talk to you. 539 00:26:13,907 --> 00:26:16,944 >> If you or someone you know is in crisis and need 540 00:26:17,010 --> 00:26:21,014 immediate mental health help, call the 988 541 00:26:22,115 --> 00:26:24,985 Wisconsin Lifeline. For more on this and other 542 00:26:25,052 --> 00:26:29,223 issues facing Wisconsin, visit our website at PBS 543 00:26:29,289 --> 00:26:31,892 Wisconsin and then click on the news tab. That's our 544 00:26:31,959 --> 00:26:34,394 program for tonight, I'm Frederica Freyberg. 545 00:26:34,461 --> 00:26:37,698 [MUSIC] >> Funding for "Here& Now" 546 00:26:48,141 --> 00:26:50,344 is provided by the Focus Fund for Journalism and 547 00:26:50,410 --> 00:26:52,880 Friends of PBS Wisconsin.