Soik announces bid for Assembly
By Brandi Makuski
County Board Supervisor Scott Soik has added his name to the lineup for the fall election.
Soik was re-elected to the District 19 seat in April. On May 23, he announced he had decided to run for the 71st Assembly seat, currently held by Katrina Shankland. Shankland, a Democrat who is seeking her fifth term in office, was first elected to the role in 2013.
Soik is the third to announce a bid for the seat. Robert Glisczinski announced his candidacy last week.
Soik is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and owns a small business in Portage Co. He just began his second term on the County Board.
“I know what it takes to run a successful business, run for office, and make meaningful change,” Soik said in an email on Monday. “It is time for me to bring that to Madison and deliver the dedicated service that the hardworking people of Portage County deserve”.
Soik said he will focus on keeping taxes and government spending low, favoring policies that will “prevent more inflation that is hurting our Central Wisconsin families.”
Soik grew up in the Town of Linwood, where he still lives with his wife Bridget, and two younger sons, Warren and Mason. Their oldest son, Parker, enlisted in the U.S. Army last year.
Soik served in the United States Marine Corps from 1993-97 and owns River Valley Specialized Machining. He previously served as Town of Linwood Board Supervisor from 2004-06, Town of Linwood Plan Commission 2004-12, Town of Linwood Plan Commission Chairman 2017-20, Portage County Board of Adjustment 2011-17, and St. Paul Lutheran School Board 2011-17.
The 71st State Assembly district includes Stevens Point and Eastern Portage County.
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.
