Endorsement: Kieso For State Assembly

Thanks to the State Supreme Court doing away with some of the gerrymandering in this state, it is exciting times for many Wisconsin voters.  I have the pleasure of having three Democrats to choose from in Tuesday's primary election for the 14th Assembly District.  The three candidates are Nate Kieso, Angelito Tenorio and Brady Coulthard.

As the reader could have picked up by the title, I am supporting Kieso.  Let me explain why.  Like I did before I retired, Kieso is a social worker in Milwaukee County.  The only difference is that while I worked for Milwaukee County, Kieso works for a private agency.  But the work is the same and so I know that Kieso has to be a kind and compassionate man.

Also, Kieso is a member of AFSCME.  I am also a member in good standing for 29 years.  Kieso is also a member of the executive board of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, as I was for a number of years. For obvious reasons, Kieso has earned the endorsement of most of the major unions.  That tells me that his priorities match up with mine. 

And sure enough, according to his website, he is all for affordable and sufficient healthcare for all, for public education, a sustainable infrastructure and, of course, worker's rights.  

I have also had the opportunity to meet Tenorio when he knocked on our door while canvassing.  Tenorio has a solid background, as well, having been a teacher, a veteran and a former city alderman.  His priorities are similar to Kieso's. 

While Kieso gets the edge by the virtue of being a union brother and of our common experiences, if Tenorio would happen to win the primary, I would gladly support him in November.

Coulthard has struck me as a bit of a disappointment.  While he touts being pro-labor, it appears that is solely because he was on the Labor Caucus of the Democratic Party.  In other words, he is a politician but not union, per se.  He has also been misleading by showing a picture of him standing with CWA members, giving the impression that he was endorsed by them, which he admitted was not the case.