Challenger steps forward for race in 71st Assembly
By Brandi Makuski
Portage Co. resident Robert Glisczinski has announced his candidacy for the 71st Assembly seat.
Glisczinski is a small business owner, retired millwright, and a veteran of the United States Army. He is challenging incumbent Katrina Shankland, a Democrat who is seeking her fifth term in office in the fall election. Shankland was first elected to the role in 2013.
In his campaign announcement, Glisczinski said he believes Wisconsin has suffered gubernatorial under state policies supported by Shankland.
“I decided it was time to stand up for the people of Portage County,” Glisczinski said. “We were led down a dangerous path with the governor’s never-ending emergency declarations during the early stages of the pandemic and the legislature did little to stop the harm being caused to our economy.”
He added that if elected, he would ensure that “unelected bureaucrats can never again shut down our economy as they did in 2020. Transparency, accountability, and decreased government regulation by your government are what every Wisconsin citizen deserves.”
Glisczinski called COVID-related shutdowns across the state a “disaster” that was followed by a presidential election “fraught with irregularities and outright lawlessness,” and is also calling for stronger “election integrity.”
In his campaign announcement, Glisczinski called Shankland “a professional politician who hasn’t been outside the Madison bubble in our 10 years,” adding he believes it’s time she is replaced.
Glisczinski did not say what his party affiliation is but called himself a “grassroots candidate” who is a firm believer in “healthcare freedom, providing law enforcement the tools needed to stop crime, and empowering parents to take back control of our education system.”
He also said he possesses “non-wavering support” for the 2nd Amendment, pro-life causes, religious freedom, and personal liberty.
The fall election will include several partisan positions. State offices up for grabs include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, senator, the 3rd Congressional District, and the Wisconsin Assembly.
Sheriff and clerk of courts are the only two county positions on the ballot.
Candidates could begin circulating nomination paperwork on April 15 and must return it to the county clerk’s office by June 1. The partisan primary is scheduled for Aug. 9 and the general election will be held on Nov. 8.
