Parties to pick nominees for state Senate, Assembly

Voters in eastern Oconto County have a partisan primary on either side of the aisle in the Aug. 11 fall primary election.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Democrats will choose their nominee in the 30th state Senate District, and Republicans will choose in the 89th Assembly District. Absentee ballots must be received by the time the polls close, and in-person absentee balloting closes at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14.

In Oconto County the two districts include the city of Oconto and the towns of Abrams, Little River, Little Suamico, Pensaukee and Stiles.

State Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, is retiring from the seat he has held for 20 years. Sandra Ewald of Green Bay and Jonathon Hansen of De Pere have filed for the post as Democrats.

Ewald was operations president of the Greater Green Bay Market for Aurora Health, where she had worked for 20 years, and her position was recently terminated as part of the provider’s ongoing integration with Advocate Health Care Network of Illinois.

She lists her special interests as community member well-being (both health and financial), environmental protection, education and business and community job growth.

Jonathon Hansen is a mortgage processor for Nicolet National Bank in Howard. He is a former legislative aide in Madison and is currently serving a second term on the De Pere City Council.

His top issues include economic development in Northeast Wisconsin, restoring civility to the political process, nonpartisan redistricting and affordable health care.

The winner will be on the ballot in November against Republican Eric Wimberger of Green Bay.

In the 89th Assembly District, incumbent state Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, faces a rare challenge in his own party primary.

Nygren has been elected to the Assembly since 2006, currently seeking his eighth two-year term. He has risen to leadership positions in Madison and serves as co-chair of the budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance.

He lists his top issues as education and especially rural schools, providing help for those who suffer from addiction while also cracking down on the flow of drugs into communities and tax reform.

Andi Rich of Marinette founded Hammer Construction Company and operated the firm out of Peshtigo from 2014 to 2018, when she decide to pursue an insurance career with more flexible hours so she could spend more time resisting the proposed Back 40 sulfide mine along the Menominee River.

She lists her top issues as environmental protection, ending corruption in government and spending tax dollars wisely.

The winner will be on the ballot in November against Democrat Karl Jaeger of Marinette.

Most of the rest of Oconto County is part of the 12th Senate District, currently vacant after the election of U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, and the 36th Assembly District, where incumbent Jeff Mursau, R-Crivitz, is unopposed for reelection.

State Rep. Mary Czaja-Felzkowski, R-Irma, will face Democrat Ed Vocke of Minocqua in the 12th District on Nov. 3.