Spiros seeking seventh term in state legislature
BY MIKE WARREN
EDITOR
MARSHFIELD – Rep. John Spiros (R-Marshfield) is seeking reelection to the Wisconsin State Assembly, in an 86th district that has the same name, but is now very different geographically.
“I’m the current 86th District representative,” Spiros told us July 16. “I’ve served this district for the last twelve years. With the maps changing now, with four districts coming into one, I truly believe that we need leadership more today than we’ve needed it in the past in the Assembly, and I believe I can bring that and I can continue doing what I’ve been doing for the state for the last twelve years, and actually what I did prior to that for the city of Marshfield as an alderman (2005-13).”
Spiros was first elected to the Assembly’s 86th district in 2012. Now, under new maps approved in February, that district has shifted more to the south and west, and encompasses a portion of Portage County, a larger portion of Wood County and a smaller portion of Marathon County.
“I ran in the 70th (Assembly district) back in 2010, and the 70th encompassed almost all of this district, other than Marathon, Marathon City, Stettin, so I think – for the most part – my name recognition is good,” Spiros said. “And that’s been the biggest challenge going to doors is trying to explain that, ‘Do you know that your district changed?’ It’s usually two out of four people that will say, ‘No, I didn’t know that,’ so I try to explain it to them. Overall, I liked the prior maps,” added Spiros. “I was disappointed that the governor’s map basically put multiple representatives – especially on the Republican side – against one another. So, from that standpoint I was disappointed. However, it is what it is as we move forward.”
Spiros says “the leadership piece” makes him the best choice among the three Republican hopefuls whose names are on the ballot in the Aug. 13 Primary runoff.
“I think I bring a level-headed perspective with first-hand experience to the role, in order to make the best decisions on behalf of Wisconsinites,” he told us. “I have an extensive record of being able to push back on some of these radical or left-leaning policies and bills, so a lot of this is bringing that level-headed perspective, but bringing that experience and leadership that I have in this role and being able to work with the Republicans, being able to work across the aisle when we need to.
“Since I’ve been elected, we’ve cut taxes by over thirty-three billion dollars,” Spiros continued. “I remember someone telling me, ‘There’s no way you’re going to be able to reduce taxes.’ We’ve been able to reduce taxes, keep the deficit down, reduce our bonding, reduce borrowing and we’re solvent,” he added.
The Air Force veteran and former police officer also touts his record as chairman of the Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, and its work on a bill which increased charges against those transporting or distributing fentanyl.
Spiros also cites bills he authored which increased protections for railroad maintenance workers and which goes after school staff and/or volunteers guilty of sexual misconduct against students in schools.
“And what happened was there’s a gray area within the statutes and was able to bring this bill forward and get it passed, and we actually had a child who was abused in school and it didn’t fit into any of the statutes, so we had to basically put together a statute, and that was a bi-partisan bill and we worked hard on getting that bill done,” Spiros recalled.
“We’re working hard on a lot of AI (artificial intelligence) issues,” he added. “I’ve been working with some of the prosecutors’ offices on AI because AI is definitely changing. There’s a good side of it and there’s a bad side of it from a theft standpoint, really against seniors, so we’re working on that.”
A Republican Primary now looms Aug. 13 between Spiros, Trine Spindler (Rozellville) and Rep. Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield). |
Rep. Spiros issued a statement March 19 after announcing his reelection campaign for the 86th Assembly District, which he has represented since 2012. His announcement followed a similar one made by Rep. Rozar, who has represented the 69th Assembly District since January 2021. Spindler is a political newcomer.
The newly re-drawn 86th Assembly District now includes portions of Wood, Marathon and Portage counties.
In Wood County, the 86th now covers the cities of Marshfield and Pittsville, the villages of Arpin, Auburndale, Hewitt, Rudolph and Vesper, and the towns of Arpin, Auburndale, Cameron, Cary, Hansen, Lincoln, Marshfield, Milladore, Richfield, Rock, Rudolph, Sherry, Sigel and Wood.
In Marathon County, the villages of Edgar, Fenwood, Marathon City, Spencer and Stratford now find themselves entirely in the new 86th, along with the towns of Bergen, Cassel, Cleveland, Day, Eau Pleine, Emmet, Green Valley, Marathon, McMillan, Rib Falls, Spencer and Wien, and a portion of Stettin.
Parts of Portage County which now find themselves in the realigned 86th are the village of Junction City, and the towns of Carson and Eau Pleine.
The entire village of Milladore – which falls in parts of Wood and Portage counties – is also now in the new 86th Assembly district.