Peter Schmidt

Schmidt: New districts not friendly to rural area

Published by admin on Fri, 05/24/2024 - 5:49pm

The newly drawn Wisconsin legislative districts are weighted to give greater power to urban and suburban areas of the state, Rep. Peter Schmidt said during a listening session May 20 at the Breed Community Center.

Schmidt, R-Bonduel, noted for example the 89th Assembly District, which formerly included parts of Oconto and Marinette counties, is now entirely enclosed in Brown County. Rep. Elijah Behnke, who represents the old 89th, has to run against Schmidt in a Republican primary if he wants to stay in the Assembly.

Lines drawn in 6th Assembly District primary

Published by admin on Wed, 05/01/2024 - 2:21pm

State Rep. Peter Schmidt said he welcomes a Republican primary election in the 6th Assembly District, on the heels of Rep. Elijah Behnke’s announcement April 30 that he will enter the race.

Behnke to challenge Schmidt in GOP primary

Published by admin on Tue, 04/30/2024 - 3:33pm

State Rep. Elijah Behnke has announced his candidacy for the 6th Assembly District seat, setting up a primary contest with fellow Republican Rep. Peter Schmidt.

Behnke scheduled a news conference at Shawano County Republican Party headquarters for April 30 to announce his decision.

Behnke has represented the 89th Assembly District since he won an April 2021 special election to fill the unexpired term of then-Rep. John Nygren. He was re-elected to a second two-year term in November 2022.

Shawano County GOP’s censure of Schmidt still stands

Published by admin on Thu, 03/21/2024 - 12:26pm

State Rep. Peter Schmidt, R-Bonduel, will not be supported by the Shawano County Republican Party in a bid for reelection in 2024.

In a statement issued March 20 by the party, GOP leaders said the censure of Schmidt taken at its 2023 caucus remains in effect due to Schmidt’s lack of transparency about his personal life prior to the 2022 primary.

Days after the primary, it was revealed that Schmidt had been the victim of a blackmail attempt by a worker on his family farm, who had a video of Schmidt performing oral sex on another man.

AJR 60 advocates for church freedoms

Published by admin on Mon, 02/26/2024 - 12:08pm

Rep. Peter Schmidt, R-Bonduel, is co-authoring a joint resolution intended to protect church services in the event of another pandemic or other state emergency.

Assembly Joint Resolution 60 will curtail health departments’ abilities to close religious worship centers in the future, as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic prompted the state to limit gatherings to 10 people or less. The joint resolution passed the Assembly and is expected to be heard next by the Senate.

Schmidt bills address meat, dairy labeling

Published by admin on Thu, 01/25/2024 - 12:42pm

Food that’s not raised on a farm doesn’t face as much regulation as the products farmers produce, according to Rep. Peter Schmidt, and he has a couple of bills circulating through the Wisconsin Legislature that could even the playing field.

Assembly Bill 555 would require meat created with lab-grown animal cells to be labeled as such. Schmidt, R-Bonduel, noted that he’s heard reports of restaurants running out of farm-grown meats and turning to lab meats as a substitute.

Schmidt votes for not tracking private gun transactions

Published by admin on Fri, 01/19/2024 - 11:54am

State Rep. Peter Schmidt, R-Bonduel, voted in favor of legislation ensuring that private firearm transactions are not tracked, and the data is not collected.

“I co-authored this legislation to prevent government and corporate overreach,” Schmidt said. “We have certain rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution, including the right to bear arms, and as the amendment states, that shall not be infringed.”

Schmidt supports Republicans’ medical cannabis bill

Published by admin on Fri, 01/12/2024 - 3:57pm

Legislation that would legalize medical cannabis was brought forth by Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, but with a lot of restrictions that make the measure different from ones other states have passed.

Smokeable cannabis for medicinal uses would not be allowed under the law, and the cannabis would only be available at five locations in Wisconsin run by the state. The medical cannabis would only be distributed to severely ill people with chronic diseases like cancer, and a doctor’s diagnosis would be required, as well as a $100 fee to get into the program.

Schmidt votes for farmland preservation bill

Published by admin on Fri, 11/17/2023 - 5:00pm

State Rep. Peter Schmidt, R-Bonduel, said in a press release that he was proud to support farmers by voting in favor of updates to the Farmland Preservation Program, which provides tax credits for good conservation practices.

“As a lifelong dairy farmer in Wisconsin, I strongly support the preservation of our precious farmland,” Schmidt said. “Preserving our farmland will ensure the security of our food supply while protecting Wisconsin’s farming industry.”

Schmidt votes for bill allowing Baby Boxes

Published by admin on Fri, 11/17/2023 - 4:53pm

State Rep. Peter Schmidt, R-Bonduel, voted in favor of legislation that will provide parents a way to confidentially give up their newborn infants without facing charges.

Assembly Bill 369 would allow municipalities to install newborn infant safety devices.

“I am pro-life from conception to natural death,” Schmidt said. “We need to do everything possible to protect life, which this legislation does.”