SPOTLIGHT RACE: Kevin Knoke for WI-AD30
I am running for the Wisconsin Assembly because I believe our state needs practical, principled leadership that puts people ahead of politics and problem-solving ahead of partisanship. My life experiences—as a teacher, veteran, outdoorsman, and parent—have shaped a clear understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and what Wisconsin families actually need from their government.
I identify as a Democrat, but I have long believed that both sides of the aisle are made up of good people with legitimate concerns. Spending my childhood summers on a family farm taught me that hard work, responsibility, and respect for the land are not partisan values. That perspective drives my belief that government should be thoughtful, limited, and effective—stepping in where it truly helps and staying out where it doesn’t belong.
I am fiscally conservative and socially progressive. I believe government should stay out of people’s wallets as much as possible and out of their personal lives entirely. I am unequivocally opposed to shifting taxes onto working families or squeezing the middle class, which I see as the engine of Wisconsin’s economy. Every tax dollar must be spent wisely and transparently.
Education is deeply personal to me. As a schoolteacher, I have seen firsthand how declining enrollment and underfunding strain public schools across Wisconsin—especially special education services. I am committed to strengthening public education through smarter resource allocation, expanded mental health services, early screening and intervention, and broader access to early childhood education. I believe public education is the most effective and cost-efficient investment Wisconsin can make, and I have serious concerns about private school vouchers undermining funding equity and evading accountability.
My commitment to veterans is personal. During my deployment in 2002, I saw firsthand the sacrifices Americans make every day to protect and serve our country. My father-in-law, a Vietnam veteran and dairy farmer, died from Agent Orange exposure. That loss reinforced my belief that Wisconsin must honor veterans not just with words, but with real support and accountability.
My connection to Wisconsin’s land and water runs deep. My family owns hunting land in Cumberland and actively participates in the DNR’s DMAP program. My wife and I spend much of our time on Beaver Dam Lake, which makes water quality and conservation issues personal, not theoretical. I believe the DNR should be guided by expert science, public input, and legislative oversight—while remaining mindful of the financial realities faced by small municipalities.
I am running for the Wisconsin Assembly to help move our state forward—by building consensus, respecting differences, protecting freedoms, and ensuring government works for the people it serves.
https://www.kevinknoke.com