Public Health Professionals Need to be Engaged this Election Cycle (And Every Election Cycle)

The 2026 election cycle is shaping up to be one of the most consequential—and uncertain—in recent Wisconsin history. For public health professionals across the state, this moment presents both a challenge and an opportunity: a challenge in navigating unfamiliar political terrain, and an opportunity to ensure that public health priorities are clearly understood as new leadership takes shape in Madison.

What makes this election cycle so unique is that, regardless of the outcome in November, Wisconsin will experience a complete turnover in its top state leadership. On January 4, 2027, we will have a new governor, as Governor Tony Evers has announced he will not seek re-election. We will also see new legislative leadership, with Speaker Robin Vos—the longest-serving speaker in state history—not running again, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu stepping away as well. This type of leadership reset is rare and creates a significant transition point where relationships, credibility, and issue awareness must be reestablished.

At the same time, we are operating in unfamiliar electoral territory. This will be the first gubernatorial election in 16 years without an incumbent on the ballot. Wisconsin also stands on the verge of potential historic outcomes—whether that is the continuation of Democratic control of the governor’s office for an unprecedented stretch or a shift that reshapes partisan balance in the state. With several candidates emerging from diverse professional and political backgrounds, the race underscores how fluid and unpredictable this moment is.

Equally important is the evolving landscape within the Legislature. While overall turnover remains within historical norms, the composition of that turnover is notable. A disproportionate number of retirements are coming from Republican incumbents, including several in highly competitive districts that will determine legislative control. For the first time in over a decade, control of both the State Senate and Assembly is genuinely in play, with narrow margins meaning that a small number of races will determine the majority in each chamber.

Despite this uncertainty, one key point is often overlooked: the majority of legislators will still return next session. Many represent districts that are not competitive and will remain central to policymaking regardless of which party holds the majority. That reality reinforces a critical point for the public health field—relationships matter, and the engagement efforts undertaken now will carry forward into the next legislative session.

Given the likelihood of narrow majorities and entirely new leadership, the pace and direction of policymaking could vary significantly. Divided government could slow legislative movement as leaders establish priorities and navigate internal dynamics, while unified control could result in rapid policy action. In either case, the early stages of a new administration and legislative session are when priorities are set and communication channels are established.

This is why engagement in this election cycle is so important for public health professionals. The period between now and November is not just about electoral outcomes—it is about building awareness and relationships, introducing candidates to key public health issues, and ensuring they understand the impact of these issues on communities across Wisconsin before they take office.
The August 11 primary and November 3 general election may feel distant, but they are approaching quickly, and the window for meaningful engagement is already here. In a state where elections are often decided by narrow margins and voter participation remains high, individual involvement can make a meaningful difference.

The bottom line is this: regardless of who wins in November, Wisconsin will enter 2027 with new leadership, narrow legislative margins, and significant uncertainty about policy direction. For public health professionals, now is the time to be active and visible. Practical ways to engage include registering to vote—or confirming registration at www.myvote.wi.gov—learning about candidates and their perspectives on public health issues, attending town halls or listening sessions, participating in candidate forums or community events, and sharing your perspective as both a constituent and a public health stakeholder. Collectively, these steps will help ensure that public health priorities are understood and considered as Wisconsin’s next chapter of state government takes shape.

National Public Health Week is a time for us to celebrate the contributions of public health workers — contributions that are made possible by dedicated funding for agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration. These agencies are responsible for hundreds of programs that strengthen the public health workforce and are aimed at fighting both chronic and infectious disease. Unfortunately, once again, the president is proposing deep cuts to these and other Health and Human Services agencies. This, on top of efforts to fire federal staff and dismantle essential programs, threatens to weaken the ability of the public health system to respond to emerging public health threats, fund public health research and keep our communities healthy. As Congress begins the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process, strengthening public health funding for CDC, HRSA and other agencies needs to be a top priority.

Take a moment during National Public Health Week to contact your members of Congress and urge them to adequately fund CDC and HRSA and to stand up to any current or future attempts to dismantle or weaken our public health agencies as they work to develop the FY 2027 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill.

Both WPHA and WALHDAB recently agreed to sign on to an American Diabetes Association-led coalition letter to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) in an effort to improve access to personal continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices among Medicaid recipients in Wisconsin.   CGMs are effective in helping individuals with diabetes manage their condition and are accepted as standard care for those who have type 1 diabetes and are recommended for people with type 2 diabetes. 

At this time, CGMs are available to Wisconsin Medicaid beneficiaries through the program’s medical benefit, although prior authorization is required.  DHS has recently made a number of changes to expand Medicaid coverage for CGMs, including no longer requiring that an endocrinologist be a member of the patient’s health care team, as well as ending the requirement that the individual test themselves with a blood glucose monitor four times each day.  In addition, the coalition letter requests DHS to do the following:

• Ensure streamlined coverage for those under 21 years of age,
• Expand access to coverage through the pharmacy benefit, and
• Eliminate the requirement for a minimum number of daily insulin administrations.

Any response received from DHS will be shared in a future WPHA/WALHDAB newsletter. 

Legislative Council Study Committee Members Announced

As mentioned in a prior WPHA/WALHDAB monthly newsletter, the legislature organizes study committees in even-numbered years to hold public hearings and perform in-depth reviews of various state policy matters facing Wisconsin.  Legislators and members of the public are members of these committees.  Once these committees complete their series of public hearings in late 2022 or early 2023, they will draft legislation to address these policy areas and submit them to the legislature for possible consideration. 

Three of these committees will likely be of interest to WPHA/WALHDAB members:  the Study Committee on Occupational Licenses, the Study Committee on Uniform Death Reporting Standards and the Study Committee on Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities.  In early June, the legislature selected members of all study committees.  The Occupational Licenses committee includes two members from the health care field – a senior vice president from the Wisconsin Hospital Association and the director of business development from a rural community clinic.  The Uniform Death Reporting Standards committee includes two medical examiners and a public health nurse.  The Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities committee includes the founder and CEO of a Milwaukee organization that helps formerly incarcerated individuals find jobs, a dean at Milwaukee Technical College and two recruitment professionals.

These committees will likely hold their first meeting later this summer.  The committees will hold public, in-person meetings in Madison once per month until they have completed their work.  It is likely that these committee meetings will be streamed live on Wisconsin Eye.  Of course, the WPHA/WALHDAB government affairs team will monitor the work of these committees.  

DSPS Eliminates Fees to Increase Participation in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

In early June, the state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) announced that the agency is no longer charging fees to integrate the Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (ePDMP) into electronic health record systems managed by health systems and other health care entities.  The intent is to simplify access for health care organizations, as well as increase wider participation within the health care community.  To apply for a no-monthly fee ePDMP integration or for more information, go to the ePDMP website.

Governor Evers Signs Order to Prevent Infant Formula Price Gouging

On May 26, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed an emergency order that states there is a “period of abnormal economic disruption” with respect to infant formula and prohibits retailers in Wisconsin from selling such formula at “unreasonably excessive prices”.  This is enforceable by the state’s price gouging law, which includes fines up to $10,000.  This emergency order is in effect for 90 days from May 26.

For more information on our state’s price gouging law, including how to file a formal complaint, go to:  https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PriceGouging.aspx

Spotlight--2022 State Legislative Campaign – 19th State Senate District

Starting in this month’s newsletter, we will highlight one notable race for a particular state legislative district.  This month, we will highlight the 19^th Senate District, a Fox Valley district that includes the communities of Appleton, Menasha and Neenah. 

The 19^th Senate District is represented by Roger Roth (R-Appleton), who is currently running for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor. With Senators Roth’s departure, the district could be competitive, as Senator Roth was re-elected to this position in 2018 with a margin of 6.5 percent over his Democratic opponent. However, the August 9 Republican primary will likely determine who will be the next Senator for the 19^th Senate District due to the Republican lean of this district. The following is a brief overview of the two Republican candidates seeking the nomination for the 19^th Senate District, as well as the one Democratic candidate. 

The candidates for the 19^th Senate District are Republicans Rachael Cabral-Guevara and Andrew Thomsen, as well as Democrat Kristin Alfheim. 

Rachael Cabral-Guevara is currently an incumbent State Representative, representing Neenah and portions of Menasha and Appleton in the 55th Assembly District.  She is a member of the Assembly Health Committee, in addition to working as a nurse practitioner.  Rep. Cabral-Guevara also operates the Nurse Practitioner Health Services, LLC clinic in Appleton.  Her healthcare platform includes medical transparency and accountability, fighting medical fraud and supporting mental health treatment/rehabilitation programs.    

Andrew Thomsen is a recently retired sales professional and small business owner with experience in the pulp and paper industry.  If elected, he intends to be a full-time legislator.  He is running on a platform that includes a number of issues, including health care policy.  According to his website, he notes the following related views:

• “Healthcare must be patient centered.”
• “Healthcare must adhere to free market principles in order to provide improved service at a reduced cost.”
• “Increased resources and funding for mental health research and treatment.”

Kristin Alfheim is a member of the City of Appleton’s Common Council and has served on the city’s Taskforce on Resiliency, Climate Mitigation and Adaptation.  She is currently a Retirement Income Certified Professional and has worked in the financial services and insurance industry for over 20 years.  In addition, she served as the president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 2019, as well as on the organization’s board of directors.  Her campaign website addresses her view on a number of policy areas, including health care.  In particular, her website states the following:  “We need to reduce the administrative burdens on doctors and nurses so they can spend more time helping their patients.  Kristin also believes alternative medicine options may provide affordable, non-addictive solutions to add to our traditional protocols.”  

On December 21, the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of a lawsuit the Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty (WILL) – a conservative legal organization – filed on behalf of two Dane County residents against Public Health Madison & Dane County challenging their mask mandate.  Their argument contends that, under state statute, local public health directors do not have the authority to issue mask mandates – only local governmental legislative bodies (e.g., county boards) have the authority to do so.  WILL filed a related lawsuit in November 2020 directly with the Wisconsin Supreme Court but, at that time, the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected that lawsuit, ruling that the lawsuit needed to be heard at the circuit court level first.  Subsequently, WILL filed such a lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court and a judge ruled against WILL last summer.  WILL then appealed directly to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, bypassing the court of appeals.  This is the case that the state Supreme Court has agreed to hear.  Attorneys were directed to submit arguments to the court within 10 days of December 21.  However, it is unknown when the state Supreme Court will hear arguments.  According to media reports, the court could issue a ruling by summer 2022. 

Dane County Extends Mask Mandate

Due to high hospitalization rates and concerns regarding the Omicron COVID-19 variant, Dane County recently announced that it is extending its mask mandate until February 1, 2022.  In particular, it requires individuals who are two years old and older to wear a face covering inside while others are present.  The mandate includes an exception if all of the people in the enclosed space are fully vaccinated.  The previously issued mask mandate expired on January 3. 

FEMA Sending Medical Staff to Green Bay for COVID-19 Support 

n December 21, Governor Evers and the Department of Health Services announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be sending additional medical staff to support Bellin Health’s COVID-19 response in the Green Bay area.  Specifically, 20 U.S. Navy medical professionals will be stationed in the Green Bay area to provide this temporary support.

DHS Awards Grants to Promote Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations

In early December, the Department of Health Services announced that they awarded $8.1 million to non-profit organizations throughout Wisconsin to work towards equity with respect to COVID-19 vaccinations.  The intention is for organizations who are trusted messengers in their respective communities to address vaccine hesitancy and accessibility to the vaccine – with a particular focus on communities of color and other underserved populations.

Evers Administration Announces $30 Million Investment in Food Security

Earlier this month, the Evers Administration announced that they are granting $30 million to the two largest hunger-focused non-profit organizations in the state – the Hunger Task Force and Feeding Wisconsin – to address food insecurity throughout Wisconsin.  In particular, each organization may receive up to $15 million to purchase food supplies and will be allowed to use up to $5 million to address storage and logistics costs.

Legislative Council Interim Study Committees

Assembly and Senate leadership will soon begin reviewing proposals for Interim Study Committees that will meet in 2022.  In even-numbered years, the Legislative Council - the legislature's in-house non-partisan group of attorney advisors - organizes study committees that perform in-depth reviews of various state policy matters facing Wisconsin.  Committees are comprised of both legislators and citizen members.

Study committees hold hearings, during which they hear public testimony – including from subject-matter experts – on state policies that may need to fixed or updated.  Once a committee has completed receiving public testimony, it generally drafts legislation for possible introduction and consideration by the legislature.  Hoven Consulting will keep an eye out for the study committees that are created – it is possible that one or more of the study committees could be of interest to WPHA/WALHDAB.  Also, if WPHA/WALHDAB would like to suggest the creation of a study committee on a particular topic, please let Hoven Consulting know. 

State Medicaid Director Resigning

According to media reports, state Medicaid Director Jim Jones will resign this month.  He served for nearly three years in this role at the Department of Health Services (DHS).  Lisa Olson, who currently serves as the Deputy Medicaid Director and previously served as the assistant deputy secretary at DHS, will take over as the Medicaid Director in January 2022.  Prior to her service at DHS, Ms. Olson worked at the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association. 

Politicians on the Move

In early December, State Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) announced that she will not run for re-election in 2022 and will run for the statewide Secretary of State position instead.  She was elected to the State Assembly in 2010 and currently serves as the Vice Chair of Joint Committee on Finance.

Earlier this year, State Representative Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) was the first member to announce that he will not run for re-election in 2022.  He was first elected in 2006 and currently serves as the Chair of the Agriculture Committee.

On December 13, State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh), who is the Assembly Minority Leader, announced that he will step down from his leadership position on January 10, 2022.  He is a Democrat and was first elected to the Assembly in 2006.  He has not yet announced whether he will run for re-election to his Assembly seat in 2022. 

On December 20, State Representative Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) was elected by her colleagues to serve as the next Assembly Minority Leader.  Rep. Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) was elected to serve as the next Assistant Minority Leader. 

In addition, State Representative Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) recently announced that she will run for the position of Kenosha County Executive in the spring 2022 election.  She was first elected to the State Assembly in 2000 and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.

State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) also recently announced that he will not run for re-election in 2022.  He was first elected in 1998.  He is a member of the Joint Finance Committee and the Senate Health Committee.

State Representative Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) has announced that she will run to replace Sen. Erpenbach.  She was first elected in 2012.  She currently serves as the Assembly Assistant Minority Leader and she will step down from that position on February 14, 2022.  She currently serves on the Assembly Insurance Committee, among several other committees. 

State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) has announced that he will not run for re-election next year.  He was first elected to the Assembly in 2010.  He currently serves as the Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. 

While most sitting legislators were either unchallenged or were expected to handily win their primaries, we had our eyes on the following races: 

• 60th Assembly District GOP Primary - Ozaukee County: Rep. Brooks v Chris Reimer
• 82nd Assembly District GOP Primary - Franklin: Rep. Skowronski  v Theodore Kafkas
• 90th Assembly District Dem Primary - Green Bay: Rep. Staush Gruszynski v Kristina Shelton
• 6th Senate District Dem Primary - Milwaukee: Sen. LaTonya Johnson v Michelle Bryant
• 10th Senate District GOP Primary - Northwest Wisconsin: Rep. Stafsholt v Cherie Link

After votes were totaled, the only incumbent to lose was Democrat Representative Staush Gruszynski, who faced a tough reelection bid following allegations of sexual harassment from a legislative staffer earlier this year

Also of note, State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald won the Republican Primary in the 5th Congressional District. Fitzgerald is seeking to replace longtime Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, who is not seeking reelection. Fitzgerald's primary victory essentially guarantees his seat in Congress as the 5th District is overwhelmingly conservative. With Fitzgerald leaving the Senate, the Republican caucus will now be in search of a new Majority Leader, the most powerful position in the State Senate.

The state is now set for the November 3 general election. All 99 Assembly seats are up for election as well as 16 of the 33 Senate seats. For complete primary results, please see here.

Yesterday also marked the release of a new Marquette University Law School poll, which provides the latest insight on voter preferences 3 months out from the presidential elections as well as opinions on handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and popularity of masking.

According to the new numbers, former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump 49% to 44% respectively. In June Biden held a six point lead. 

Trump's approval rating dropped one point since the last poll to 44%. His disapproval rating increased 3 points to 54%.

In his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump's approval rating hit a new low at 40% with 58% disapproving of his handling of the issue.

In contrast, Democratic Governor Tony Evers received a 57% overall approval rating; a three point increase since June. Additionally, his disapproval rating dropped one point to 37%.

Evers' handling of the COVID-19 pandemic also increased three points to 61% and decreased two points to 35% since June.

The poll was in the field after Evers issued his statewide mask mandate. According to the poll, 69% of respondents agreed that masks should be required in all public places versus 29% who disagreed. When those numbers are broken down by political affiliation there is a stark difference. 93% of Democrats agree with masking requirements versus 43% of Republicans who also agree. 

WPHA and WALHDAB lobbyists will distribute the attached written testimony in support of the amendment to committee members at tomorrow's hearing. The testimony endorses the amendment while pointing out that more needs to be done to execute a comprehensive approach to this public health concern.

*Written by WPHA's Lobbyist Michael Welsh

*Written by WPHA's Lobbyist Michael Welsh

• WHAT:  WALHDAB-WPHA Legislator of the Year presentation
• WHEN:  Wednesday, June 18 at 10:00AM (event should last no longer than 1 hour)
• WHERE:  Eau Claire Courthouse, Room G302 (main entrance, ground floor) 720 Second Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54703 (parking lot and street parking is available)
• ATTENDEES:  Sen. Terry Moulton and public health professionals from his district (Eau Claire; Chippewa; Clark; Dunn and Barron Counties)

Preserving and promoting public health is a year-round proposition, and as every WPHA and WALHDAB member knows all too well, there is no hiatus from building healthier communities. The State Legislature works a bit differently. While the business of law making is also a demanding endeavor, there is always an end date in sight. In fact, the Legislature has adjourned for the 2013-14 session and won’t reconvene until January 2015.  Legislators and candidates across the state have now shifted their focus to the campaign season and the November elections.

However, before WPHA and WALHDAB members look ahead, it’s important to pause and examine our successes and challenges during the recently concluded legislative session. Our biggest legislative achievement was passage of the Healthy Jobs Act, which will provide $15 million over the next five years to help small businesses establish employee wellness programs. The WALHDAB-WPHA Public Affairs Team also succeeded on our other top legislative priority – defeat of the Raw Milk bill, which aimed to legalize the sale of ram milk in Wisconsin.

While much of WPHA-WALHDAB’s legislative efforts were focused on the top two legislative goals described above, the Public Affairs Team also tracked and lobbied on a number of other public health-related bills – all of which can be reviewed on the WALHDAB-WPHA Legislative Grid.

Earlier this month, the state Assembly unanimously approved WALHDAB and WPHA's top legislative priority – the Healthy Jobs Act (Senate Bill 73). The bill, which was passed by the state Senate on a 33-0 vote in November, creates a workplace wellness grant program for Wisconsin small businesses. Employers who establish an employee wellness program would be eligible for a state grant equal to 30% of their overall costs of implementing the program.

Programs and services that can be offered under eligible wellness programs include chronic disease management, tobacco cessation, fitness training, nutrition education and stress management. Wellness programs would also be required to provide health risk assessments for participating employees.

As numerous studies have shown, workplace wellness programs can help businesses manage health care costs, boost worker productivity and reduce absenteeism. Employers that focus on wellness are also likely to experience fewer workplace injuries and increased employee morale.

The bill, amended by the Assembly to cap funding for the program at $3 million per year for five years, must now be sent back to the Senate for procedural concurrence. It would then be sent to Gov. Scott Walker for final approval.

But good news on the legislative front does not end with the Healthy Jobs Act.

The raw milk bill (Senate Bill 236), which would authorize dairy farms to sell unpasteurized milk to the general public, has failed to gain much momentum in the Capitol. Thanks to a strong lobbying and advocacy effort by WALHDAB, WPHA and our coalition partners in the medical community and agriculture industry, key lawmakers remain opposed to the legislation.

With the legislative session quickly coming to a close, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the raw milk bill will pass the Legislature. Most legislators understand that raw milk is an inherently dangerous product that puts children, the elderly and other vulnerable citizens at risk for serious illness.

The WALHDAB-WPHA Government Affairs Team has also been lobbying on and tracking a number of other bills that could have an impact of public health in Wisconsin, including legislation that would create a statewide program to review child deaths and a bill that would create a felony for intoxicated co-sleeping with a child if the incident resulted in harm or death to the child.

For a complete overview of legislation being tracked by WPHA-WALHDAB, please review our Legislative Grid.