Meet the candidates running for Wisconsin's 86th Assembly District seat

Incumbent Republican John Spiros will face challenger Democrat John Small in the Nov. 5 general election for Wisconsin's 86th Assembly District.

The 86th Assembly District contains the cities of Marshfield and Pittsville and the villages of Spencer, Stratford, Edgar and Marathon City. The district spans the northern half of Wood County, a significant portion of western Marathon County and a small piece of northwestern Portage County.

Wisconsin State Assembly representatives serve two-year terms. Spiros has served six terms in the seat since 2013.

To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit the My Vote Wisconsin website.

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the district and why they are running for the position.

John Small

Residence: Marathon City

Age: 78

Occupation and education: Retired; Village of Marathon Board of Trustees, President, 2005-19; State of Wisconsin Animal Health Inspector, 1973-2005; bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Relevant experience: Marathon County Board of Supervisors District 33, 2006-16; Marathon City Fire Department captain, 1982-2005; Wisconsin Air National Guard, retired master sergeant, 1969-1989; Marathon County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, 2008-19; League of Wisconsin Municipalities and Alliance of Cities Board of Directors, 2009-14; American Legion, 1994-present

Campaign website/Facebook page: JohnSmallWI86th.com and John Small for the 86th Assembly – WI on Facebook

John Spiros

Residence: Marshfield

Age: 62

Occupation and education: Vice president of safety and claims at Roehl Transportation. Current representative for the 86th Assembly District. Associate degree in criminal justice from Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska.

Relevant experience: I served six years in the U.S. Air Force before beginning my career in law enforcement. After serving as a police officer, I entered the transportation industry, which is where I have been since. Prior to running for Assembly, I served eight years on the Marshfield Common Council. I have proudly and effectively represented the 86th Assembly District in the Capitol since 2012.

Campaign website/Facebook page: https://www.spirosforassembly.com and Re-Elect Representative John Spiros on Facebook

Why are you running for office?

Small: I am running for the 86th Assembly District because I have a lifetime dedication to community service. Most of this service has been at the local level and now is the time to contribute at the state level.

Spiros: As when I first ran for public office, my motivation continues to be cutting taxes for hard-working Wisconsinites. I’m proud that I’ve played a large role in bringing Wisconsin’s tax burden to an all-time low by cutting over $31 billion during my time in office. Next session, I look forward to continuing to cut taxes for seniors and middle-class families during this time of Bidenflation, continuing to bolster public safety, supporting the local economy and local agriculture, and ensuring that central Wisconsin is a place where people want to both raise families and retire, with good schools and safe communities.

What makes you the better candidate in this race?

Small: I am a candidate because of my experiences. I have 28 years with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, 14 years as a village president, 10 years as a county board supervisor, and I am past president of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. Interaction of the Legislature with local governments and state agencies is too important to be neglected. My voluntary work career has included 20 years with the Wisconsin Air National Guard, 31 years with the American Legion, 23 years with the Marathon City Fire Department, and 10 years with AFSCME Wisconsin State Employees Union, Security and Public Safety, Local 333.

Spiros: As a veteran, former law enforcement officer and business executive, I bring a level-headed perspective with real-world experience to the Assembly in order to make the best decisions on behalf of Wisconsinites. My record in the Assembly is crystal clear: I’ve worked to cut taxes by over $31 billion, I’ve bolstered public safety as the chairman of the Committee on Criminal Justice & Public Safety, and I have an extremely strong record of pushing back against the radical, left-wing policies of the Evers Administration. I am the only candidate with the leadership experience and seniority needed to be an effective legislator.

What is the most pressing issue facing Wisconsin, and how would you address it?

Small: Climate change is one of my issues. Environmental sustainability is a balance of economics and the wise use of natural resources. The interaction of electric cars and the ethanol industry must be balanced. Wind and solar farms of electric companies must account for agriculture. Transparent regulations on siting and permitting must be balanced with landowner land rights and be an open, balanced process with no late surprises for either party.

Spiros: The radical, left-wing policies of the Evers Administration would destroy our state and turn Wisconsin into Minnesota 2.0 if left unchecked. I sit on the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, which is a critical mechanism to stop the policies that will destroy Wisconsin and keep the bureaucracy in check. Just this past year, the committee has stopped vaccine mandates, the erosion of parental rights, loosening of ID requirements and last-minute changes to election administration. Only experienced, truly conservative legislators sit on this committee, and I will continue to use this mechanism to keep Wisconsin sane.

What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?

Small: Other important issues are where the doctor/patient needs are paramount. Child care with correctremuneration needs to be addressed. Clean water, air and soil must be treasured and protected.

Spiros: I consistently hear about high taxes, especially from seniors. I helped put together a huge tax cut for seniors earlier this session, but it was unfortunately vetoed by the governor. Next session, I will continue to work to cut taxes for seniors and middle-class families struggling with Bidenflation. My constituents are also concerned about public safety. I am the strongest supporter of law enforcement in the Assembly, and as chairman of the Committee on Criminal Justice & Public Safety, I will continue to fight to make sure that those who keep our communities safe have the resources needed to be effective.

Residents of central Wisconsin are seeing increasing costs in necessary and everyday expenses such as housing, child care, groceries, health care and transportation. If elected, what will you do to help residents who are struggling to make ends meet?

Small: As president of the Marathon County Economic Development Corporation, I learned that inflation is a supply-and-demand process that is not controlled by government. Government may only influence inflation by the use of taxes, tariffs and regulatory ease. As I try to solve problems, I will research, confer with professionals, and caucus for remedies to propose legislation to improve the middle class.

Spiros: I will continue to fight to keep money in people’s pockets through tax cuts, as we all feel the effects of the spiraling inflation Democrats have caused. This past session, I worked to make child care more affordable through increased tax credits, provide farmers with low-cost health insurance, and allow advanced practice registered nurses to practice to the full extent of their training and increase access to rural health care. Next session, I will work toward ensuring electric vehicles contribute to transportation funding (as the gas tax burden currently falls on the middle class) and bringing more good jobs to the local economy.

As costs have increased for individuals, so have the costs for our local units of government. Our local schools and technical colleges, municipalities and counties are limited in how much local tax levies can be raised. These limits were set decades ago and adjustments to them are rare and inadequate for matching increases in cost of living and inflation. If elected, what would you do at the state level to reduce the burden on local residents who have to consider levy limit referendums for school districts, public safety workers or large transportation projects so frequently in elections?

Small: I am opposed to referendums as a usual funding mechanism. As an example, school funding is about 50% state, 15% federal, and the balance is local. When dependence on the local property tax is insufficient, a referendum is called. Why should you be paying property tax for schools and again on a referendum for that school? Obviously, with a budget surplus and lacking local funding, the formula is not working and must be better balanced for residents and public schools.

Spiros: Recently, the Legislature passed a historic increase in shared revenue payments. Every unit of local government received a minimum 20% increase in shared revenue, and some in the 86th Assembly District received an over 200% increase (yes, you read that right). These increased payments will support local EMS, fire, police and local infrastructure for years to come. The Legislature has also reached two-thirds funding of public schools and expanded school choice to give families the best options for their children. I look forward to continuing to cut bureaucratic nonsense at the state and supporting the government closest to the people.

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Marshfield News-Herald: Meet the candidates running for Wisconsin's 86th Assembly District