Tom Michalski for State Assembly

On election night, during what I consider my “Dewey moment”; the Waukesha Freeman reported that I had “retained the 13th Assembly District.” Unfortunately, as has happened before, the tide turned when Milwaukee County’s Central Count reported around 3 a.m.

As I acknowledge my loss, I do not feel defeated. I believe the Elmbrook community has suffered the greatest defeat, shattered by the politically motivated redistricting initiated by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The new 13th Assembly District was explicitly designed to be a 60% Democratic stronghold, and Elm Grove has effectively become the new Wauwatosa.

I urge you to consider the current issues challenging Wauwatosa: rising taxes, increasing crime, and declining schools. These problems have emerged from mimicking Milwaukee’s poor management, and our community is poised to face similar challenges.

Elm Grove, the home of the state’s first woman Lieutenant Governor, Republican Margaret Farrow, is unlikely to experience thoughtful conservative leadership again in my lifetime. Much like Wauwatosa, which has changed drastically over the years, this defeat will profoundly impact our community, making Elm Grove hard to recognize in the not-too-distant future.

Reflecting on the past two years, I feel a sense of pride. My top priority was to provide more funds to local governments, and I succeeded by increasing District 13’s State Shared Revenue by nearly two and a half million dollars per year. I also had three bills signed into law, two of which fulfilled my commitment to voters regarding election security. I made it a point to listen to the community’s concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams by welcoming anyone who visited my office and having coffee with many constituents at local District restaurants. These last two years have been incredible, and I am truly honored to have served as your representative.

I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way and given their time, money, or energy. I especially want to thank my wife, Jennifer. She’s been my rock for over 25 years, and I couldn’t have done this without her.

Lastly, I would like to address Robyn Vining. You have previously represented a portion of Waukesha County, and you know that many people there have opinions that differ significantly from your own. Please take the time to listen to everyone, regardless of their views or ideologies. I hope you provide them with the support and assistance they need. Serve them well.

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Today, I humbly ask for your vote. It has been my honor being your voice in Madison for the last two years. I believe I have represented you fairly, honestly, and transparently. I hope I have done enough to earn your vote, and more importantly, your trust.

Yesterday was an amazing day. Starting off as the keynote speaker for a Turning Point rally, the day got better and better with more door knockers and support than I could have ever hoped for!

I truly appreciate the support and encouragement these last few days.

Happening shortly, I'd love for you to be there.

I'm honored to be the keynote speaker at this Saturday's Super Chase. If you plan to attend, make sure to sign up at:

Https://www.tpaction.com/brookfield

This week, Wauwatosa's school system announced they are canceling its STEM program due to its lack of diversity. In the same week, they issued this invitation to middle school students. What is my opponent's, a cheerleader of diversity, opinion on the Tosa School's priorities? I have been an unfailing proponent of STEM in our Schools. It is time for our schools to use their limited resources to prioritize basic education.

I'm honored to be the keynote speaker at this Saturday's Super Chase. If you plan to attend, make sure to sign up at:

Https://www.tpaction.com/brookfield

Stop by, I love meeting new people, and catching up with those I know.

Plans to close the third-best elementary school in the state have been announced by The Wauwatosa School District because the "student population is not as diverse as the District's overall population". Tosa schools are failing not only their students, but the taxpayer as well.

Stem programs are providing a path to your children's future and Wisconsin's future. Without Stem, too many of our children will be left behind. It's time for a change.

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The Waukesha Freeman asked for me to answer a number of questions about the top priorities for the district. I wanted to share my answers with all of you.

1. How do you plan to promote economic growth and opportunity in your district?
Economic growth relies on three key factors: a strong workforce, low taxes, and a supportive regulatory environment. As a board member of Waukesha County Technical College, I’m dedicated to ensuring our workforce remains strong by keeping tuition affordable and aligning our programs with the needs of local employers. As a legislator, I focus on maintaining low tax rates and reducing state government regulations. As a former IT professional, I recognize that Wisconsin must embrace artificial intelligence. With AI, district 13 can potentially become a leader in developing efficient and affordable healthcare.

2. What are your district priorities?
I have three main priorities:

1. Utilize the tax surplus for one-time projects that will decrease the operating costs of the Wisconsin government, and return the remaining funds to taxpayers.

2. Support Wisconsin public schools by increasing the state funding for instructing special education students from 30% to 60%.

3. I intend to promote District 13's natural advantages in healthcare. We are home to the Medical College and Versiti, the world-renowned Blood Research Center, and a growing center for Health-related AI. We can become a world leader in advanced Healthcare and benefit from the jobs that will be created.

3. What would be your approach to public safety?
Two critical issues concerning public safety need to be addressed.

First, the judicial system, including judges and district attorneys, as well as emergency services such as police, fire, and EMS, are undervalued and underpaid. I will support increased funding for these areas. Second, district attorneys have been granted excessive discretion in dismissing charges, which leads to too many violent individuals (as seen in the Christmas parade attack) being released without adequate judicial oversight. As in my first term, I will fight to pass legislation to rein in soft-on-crime District Attorneys.

4. Why should voters cast their ballot for you?
I have extensive experience in solving complex problems at various levels of local governance, including my role on the WCTC Board. During my first term, I worked to secure and voted for $2.3 million in additional shared revenue for the 13th Assembly District. In contrast, my opponent voted against this funding and has consistently rejected solutions that could benefit her constituents. My temperament and common sense enable me to collaborate effectively with all parties, even when they have differing priorities, to create achievable solutions.

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I'm glad to see that Robyn Vining is an undecided voter. Maybe this year she will vote state over party and help re-elect Tom Michalski in the 13rd District.

Endorsement Alert:

Sales Tax went up.
Property Tax is going up.
School Tax is going up.

And this from the Mayor:
“At the ICC meeting on Monday, I learned that the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Commission is going to raise its 2025 property tax levy by 3%, too. As I noted in a previous email, our executive budget proposes raising the City of Wauwatosa property tax levy by a nominal 1.18% but an effective increase over 3% (because of a decline in the values of our office and retail sectors) and in referendums to be voted on next month, Wauwatosa's taxpayers are also being asked to increase their property taxes to support the Wauwatosa School District. Given these realities, while there was some discussion in a previous Financial Affairs Committee meeting about raising our levy even more, we need to be mindful of the overall impact on our residents of tax increases, potential or otherwise, imposed by the School District, MMSD, MATC, and Milwaukee County as well as by our own 2025 budget.
Best wishes,
Dennis R. McBride
Mayor, City of Wauwatosa”
It's important to consider Mayor McBride's statement about the decline in
the values of office and retail sectors. Numerous studies have consistently shown that high taxes negatively impact economic activity within a community, ultimately leading to a decline in overall prosperity.

This is just the beginning.

In Madison, Tom Michalski voted against raising your sales tax, for
increasing your State shared revenue by $1.14M, and for increasing your school aid by 22%.

Over the past 6 years, exactly how has Robyn Vining been helping you?

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