Jeff Smith - All I Want For Christmas

As I reflect on the past year and the historic campaign season, I want to thank the voters who showed up and did their civic duty by casting their ballots. I know not everyone reading this voted, but the outcome of our elections is the true definition of our democracy. As I am in the middle of my four-year term and won't be up for reelection until 2026, I’m immensely grateful I get to continue serving each of you in the Wisconsin State Senate.

Campaigns are great opportunities for someone like me. I enjoy meeting new people, so knocking on doors is right up my alley. While I only find someone home at about 1 in 5 doors, there are enough conversations each day to give me a sense of what folks expect from their elected legislators. With a new legislative session about to begin in January, I look forward to continuing those conversations with my stop-and-talk listening sessions when the weather warms up. 

Too many think they can’t trust elected officials or that their vote doesn’t matter, but your vote is the life-blood of our democratic-republic. It isn’t easy to learn all you want to know about each person on the ballot. Especially when candidates only want you to see the positive side of themselves. It’s harder to make your choice at the polls when fewer and fewer open forums are scheduled for candidates to debate. How do you know who or what to believe if the public can’t ask the candidates questions?

I often encounter confusion over state and federal offices and responsibilities. Because there’s little or no coverage of the day-to-day workings of state government, most people just don’t know what happens in Madison. We’re overshadowed by the national drama. This allows legislators to operate with very little scrutiny and accountability. So, during a campaign, it’s the best time to educate voters about what elected officials do and how we serve.

That brings me around to the duties of the branches of government. The top of the ticket gets the attention but many forget that the governor or president isn’t able to do much more than what the legislature or congress send them to approve (or veto). The legislature can determine what’s funded and by how much. The governor might negotiate using the power of the veto pen, but it’s the work of your elected leaders that make, or break, how our government actually functions.

That’s why holding a majority in the Legislature is so valuable. Whoever holds that majority determines what bills get public hearings and votes, what committees are created and who chairs them, and even when and how often the body meets in session. 

I’m always struck by voters who say they are disappointed when the government isn’t working, but they plan to vote for the party already in charge. Since 1994, Republicans have held the majority in our State Assembly 28 out of 30 years while also holding the Senate majority most of those sessions.

Before redistricting was enacted, most elected officials didn’t feel the need to show up for public forums because there were so few seats that were even competitive.  In turn, most elected officials didn’t feel the pressure to hold public hearings or pass legislation, even on issues strongly favored by their constituents. I hope that will change now that we have fairer maps where Democrats have a real possibility of winning the majority in 2026. 

That’s also why I offered a resolution the last two sessions to allow citizens to gather signatures to place binding referendum questions on the ballot. Elected officials shouldn’t be able to refuse action on clearly-decided issues overwhelmingly favored by voters. Citizens need to have the power.

Moving forward, I’m hopeful that more folks will stay engaged when it comes to what elected officials can do to improve our communities and the issues that matter most to Wisconsin.