Citizen Action of Wisconsin 2026 Spring Election Endorsements
Endorsed candidates completed a Citizen Action 2026 candidate questionnaire. They were interviewed by Citizen Action members from the regional organizing cooperatives and recommended for endorsement.
All endorsements are voted on and approved by the statewide Citizen Action of Wisconsin Board.
Please make sure to vote by Tuesday, April 7th.
For more information about voting early, registering to vote, finding your polling location.
Judge Chris Taylor – State Supreme Court
Citizen Action’s board of directors voted unanimously to endorse Judge Chris Taylor for Wisconsin Supreme Court. After studying Judge Taylor’s record, and asking a series of questions about her legal philosophy, we are convinced that she is the only candidate in the race that can be relied upon to uphold equal justice under the law.
We are especially impressed with Judge Taylor’s nuanced understanding of the rights guaranteed by the Wisconsin Constitution, many of which go beyond the protections in the U.S. Constitution.
Citizen Action Driftless Organizing Cooperative
Jake Williams – La Crosse School Board
Jake Williams is running for the La Crosse School Board and brings a strong command of the issues facing the district. He demonstrates a clear understanding of school finance, student support systems, and the broader legislative landscape, including awareness of Citizen Action’s public education priorities. Jake will be particularly attentive to special education services and the need to ensure every student receives the support they deserve.
Citizen Action members appreciate that Jake came prepared to his interview, was well organized, and articulated his vision clearly and thoughtfully. He has developed a realistic campaign plan to win.
Jake says: “I’m running to put students and their success first. This includes ensuring that we support our teachers and staff, giving them the resources they need to deliver the best possible education.
I’m a progressive, running because I care deeply about La Crosse’s public schools and am committed to helping make our community the best it can be.
I have a background in public administration, and currently on the city’s Municipal Transit Utility Board. I would be honored to earn your vote.”
Learn more about Jake Williams.
Trevor Sprague – La Crosse School Board
Trevor Sprague is an incumbent seeking re-election to the La Crosse School Board. He brings the experience and steady leadership of a seasoned board member.
The team was impressed by his deep knowledge of district issues and how comfortably he navigated complex topics you would expect from a veteran in the role.
Trevor thinks it’s vital that the state re-examine and pull back on the private school voucher program that siphoned hundreds of millions of dollars away from public schools and further exacerbated their financial challenges La Crosse district faces.
He has been active and engaged throughout his time on the board, demonstrating a strong commitment to students, families, and public education.
Learn more about Trevor Sprague.
Kelly Leibold – La Crosse County Board District 1
Kelly Leibold is running for re-election to the La Crosse County Board after a strong first term marked by energy, preparation, and a solid progressive record. She is knowledgeable about the issues facing the county and brings both passion and diligence to her work.
As a cancer survivor and active member of Citizen Action’s Healthcare Action Team, Kelly brings lived experience to policy conversations, particularly around healthcare access and affordability.
The team was impressed by Kelly’s enthusiasm, work ethic, and ability to communicate clearly and effectively. She represents a new generation of progressive leadership and has already demonstrated that she can turn values into action.
Learn more about Kelly Leibold.
Grant Mathu – La Crosse County Board, District 6
Grant Mathu, is a graduate of Citizen Actions Movement Politics Academy for candidates. Grant has served on the La Crosse County Board since 2022, and has proven himself to be a thoughtful, hardworking leader.
He brings experience, institutional knowledge, and a clear progressive vision to county government. Throughout his service, Grant has demonstrated a strong grasp of policy and a consistent commitment to advocating for policies that support working families and strengthen our community.
Citizen Action values Grant’s passion, preparation, and steady leadership. He is running a well-organized campaign with a solid support team behind him and a clear plan to engage voters.
Learn more about Grant Mathu.
Beth Piggush – La Crosse County Board District 7
Beth Piggush is running for an open seat on the La Crosse County Board and brings extensive experience in public service and delivering meaningful policy outcomes.
As a climate professional, she offers valuable expertise at a time when local leadership on sustainability and resilience is increasingly important. Though she’s new to running for elected office, she performed strongly in the interview and demonstrated clear preparation and thoughtfulness.
Citizen Action appreciates that Beth approaches issues with care and a commitment to due diligence, particularly around schools and housing.
Learn more about Beth Piggush.
Lia Manock – La Crosse County Board District 17
Lia Manock is running for the La Crosse County Board as a challenger and impressed the team with her positivity, preparation, and depth of knowledge. She offered thoughtful, in-depth responses to questions and demonstrated a strong understanding of the issues facing the county.
Her enthusiasm for public service and commitment to doing the work were clear throughout the conversation.
The team was especially energized by Lia’s clear vision and confident leadership style. She brings both substance and passion to the race.
Learn more about Lia Manock.
Amy Noel – La Crosse County Board District 21
Amy Noel is running for an open seat on the La Crosse County Board and brings a strong healthcare background to the race.
As a new candidate, she impressed the team with her professionalism and thoughtful approach to public service.
She will represent a district with a range of perspectives and demonstrates a willingness to engage seriously with the issues facing the county.
The MP team believes Amy Noel would be a strong addition to the County Board and recommends endorsement.
Learn more about Amy Noel.
Citizen Action Northwest Organizing Cooperative
Greg Banchy – Eau Claire County Board, District 7
Greg Banchy is running for an open seat on the Eau Claire County Board, District 7, in a rural district south of the City of Eau Claire.
He and his campaign team have been knocking doors for over a month in the Town of Washington and the Town of Pleasant Valley, working hard to win!
Fair taxation, access to affordable housing and health care, and protecting our votes are some of his top priorities.
Citizen Action likes his background as a lawyer for seniors, his support for Medicare for all, and his care for the environment, all of which are important for the role of county board supervisor.
Learn more about Greg Banchy.
Matthew Crowe – Mayor of Menomonie
Matthew Crowe has served two years on the Menomonie City Council. He has a young family and works in the field of environmental engineering and sustainability, and showed knowledge and commitment to the city’s climate goals and support for public transit.
He is running a serious campaign, and he came out on top of a three-way primary February 17 that included the incumbent!
Citizen Action likes his focus on reducing poverty, improving rental housing, and his interest in school voucher transparency.
Learn more about Matthew Crowe.
Dan Hardy – Chippewa County Board, District 18
Dan Hardy is running on the west hill of the City of Chippewa Falls. He is involved in social justice work, formerly led the Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center, and is involved in foster care.
His campaign plan includes yard signs, door hangers, and postcards.
Citizen Action likes his focus on health care, school funding, and labor rights, and felt like he would be a thoughtful decision-maker.
Dan says: “As a long time member of the Chippewa Valley and a lifetime advocate of social justice I see my part of the movement as one that is integral and hopefully through my actions and words has helped to motivate others to speak up and stand for what they believe.”
Citizen Action North Central Organizing Cooperative
Tom Neal – Wausau City Council District 4
Tom Neal has a strong labor history, and has shown a willingness to cooperate with CAW and our members.
He supports moving toward renewable energy.
He opposes the actions of ICE.
He has long been a supporter of our Healthcare advocacy, including the BadgerCare Public Option.
Learn more about Tom Neal.
Kathryn Ruland – Wausau School Board
Kathryn Ruland is new to running for public office and is very passionate about it. She has children that have experienced the schools in the district, and she brings a more diverse background with her than many of the people currently on the board.
She believes in religious freedom and is a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
She is willing to co-govern with Citizen Action members in the area and is very supportive of the issues that Citizen Action advocates for.
Bill Conway – Marathon County Board District 16
Bill Conway has a history of co-governing with Citizen Action members while on the County Board.
He strongly supports our advocacy work around Healthcare, climate/utilities, wages and more.
Bill is actively working in the community to protect our neighbors from ICE, and has voiced these views in his role on the County Board, with the Sheriff’s Department.
As Bill says, “I’ve been a friend to Citizen Action’s efforts for years and I have the utmost respect for the organization, staff, and volunteers.”
Citizen Action members excitedly recommend Bill.
Dr. Elizabeth Potter-Nelson – Stevens Point School Board
Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Potter-Nelson was appointed to the Stevens Point School District last September to fill a vacancy.
She is an educator with a doctorate in Educational Sustainability and brings experience as a former high school science teacher. She has over 15 years of experience in K-12 education and has worked at institutions like MIT.
She has agreed to work closely with Citizen Action members.
Dr. Elizabeth says: “I believe in the power of public education to help shape the lives of students and also recognize that the education system failed and continues to fail many of our students.
School Boards have a unique opportunity to address these systemic issues head on at the local level. If re-elected my top priorities are: (1) transparency around taxes and school finances, (2) addressing the opportunity gap for our students, (3) proactive and equitable decision making around declining enrollment.”
Learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Potter-Nelson.
Citizen Action Northeast Organizing Cooperative
Pete Borchardt – Brown County Board District 10
Pete Borchardt is a community member in Northeast Wisconsin that is heavily involved in activism and often serves as a marshal.
He has a passion for ensuring that county workers are paid a living wage, that we don’t use AI to replace our workers, and removing flock and 287G agreements from our law enforcement agencies.
Pete says: “I hope to give a voice to people who feel they don’t have a voice and do everything in my power to help accomplish our agenda. I’ve worked as a marshal in protests and helped organize them. I believe on the ground organizing in our communities is the best way to accomplish our goals, and that’s what I will continue to do.”
Learn more about Pete Borchardt.
Samantha Meister – Green Bay School Board
Samantha Meister is a professor at UWGB and was previously a special education teacher.
She worked as a middle school special education teacher for 7 years in the Omaha Public Schools and in higher education in Nebraska, Texas, and Wisconsin.
One of the issues she most wants to address is repairing some of the relationships between the school board and administration and the students/families.
Samantha has been a member of every union available to her and wants to continue to support collective bargaining in her role as a school board member.
She is also the parent of two current GBAPS students and one that is a recent graduate of West High School.
Learn more about Samantha Meister.
Jason Kolpack – Appleton Area School Board
Jason Kolpack is an incumbent school board member who wants to contribute to an environment that supports the needs and protects the rights of every student.
He wants to reduce barriers that hinder participation. Jason has represented the AASD at the WASB delegate assembly and supported closing the funding gap at the state level.
Jason feels that SROs have a place in the school when working on violence but not on discipline.
Jason says: “Part of my goal as a school board member is to contribute to a school environment that supports the needs and protects the rights of every student. I focus on identifying and reducing barriers that hinder participation in the education system while also supporting strong, consistent expectations for all learners.”
Learn more about Jason Kolpack.
Jon Shelton – Green Bay City Council District 4
Jon Shelton is a Professor of Social Justice and Democracy at UWGB and serves as the President of AFT Wisconsin.
Jon has served on the first ever equal rights commission in Green Bay and is still pushing for reforms that the equal rights commission recommended in housing, policing, and transportation.
He has spent time volunteering with his community to ensure people are getting what they need such as safer cross walks.
Jon is enthusiastic about standing behind his community values.
Jon says: “With all this happening in Minneapolis and elsewhere, standing up to authoritarianism has never been more important and building a world where working people can not just survive but thrive has never been more important. My professional life—I’m a professor of democracy and justice studies and I’m also President of AFT-Wisconsin—dovetails with this work, too.”
Learn more about Jon Shelton.
Joey Prestley – Green Bay City Council District 6
Joey Prestley is an incumbent city council member who currently works in the administrative offices at UWGB as a communication specialist.
Joey has stood up to various attempts to advance right wing initiatives in the city during his term and stands firm on the issues of healthcare, climate change, and immigration while focusing on the directly impacted people in his community.
He is proud to live in a neighborhood where there is socioeconomic diversity and mixed rate housing and wants to see more of that in Green Bay.
Joey says: “Green Bay and Wisconsin are both at a political tipping point where if we get the right candidates in office, we’ll be able to really invest in progressive policies for our city. There are a slew of investments I’d like the city to make to advance rights for our residents, and we will need a progressive council to do so.”
Learn more about Joey Prestley.
Rachel Maes – Brown County Board District 2
Rachel Maes is the assistant city attorney for Green Bay, she also leads a trans and non binary peer group through her volunteer work with the Green Bay Area Gender Diversity Council and other non profits.
Rachel is passionate about nuanced long term people driven approaches to better outcomes and lower recidivism rates turning into lower long term costs to the county.
She also wants to fight for resources to support homeless people in the county.
Rachel says: “I want to be part of a progressive wave that replaces many conservative voices on the County Board. I am the candidate who is best qualified, capable, and connected to prevent it flipping to the control of a Republican preacher and advance priorities that lift up and protect our neighbors.”
Learn more about Rachel Maes
Vered Meltzer – Appleton City Council District 2
Vered Meltzer works with the local literacy project teaching English to immigrants. They are an incumbent passionate about building a community with space for people to thrive together.
They were a part of the push to create a sustainability commission for Appleton and have been working to make the health department more self-sustaining.
Vered is concerned with the cost of housing in Appleton and is pushing for more affordable housing units to be made available in a way that serves the community that deeply needs them.
Vered says: “My priorities include improving traffic and pedestrian safety, addressing unique neighborhood concerns, and overseeing flood mitigation studies. I will continue to support efforts to address the housing crisis, protect our water quality, and ensure community voices guide development.”
Learn more about Vered Meltzer.
Dana Johnson – Outagamie County Board District 2
Citizen Action Southeast Organizing Cooperative
Jack Eckblad – Milwaukee County Board District 4
“I am incredibly proud to have earned the endorsement of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. We have partnered on many issues over the past two years – climate and public transportation foremost – and I look forward to continuing to build our progressive coalition elbow-in-elbow as we face new challenges over the next term.
I take the responsibility to build and expand the political movement driving progressive values and policies very seriously. It is my view that there is a broader coalition that we have yet to tap into, which can be marshalled (and must be marshalled) in support of those values. Citizen Action is a critical ingredient in that.” – Jack Eckblad
Learn more about Jack Eckblad.
Caroline Gomez-Tom – Milwaukee County Board District 14
