Pronschinske challenged by Bamonti in 92nd Assembly District

Name: Treig E. Pronschinske

Age: 44

Family: Wife Becky, Married 23 years, daughter Rachael

Present Occupation: Small business owner, residential construction/beef farmer

Other community involvement: Former youth baseball president, volunteer fireman and ambulance commission member

Why are you running for office?

I am running for re-election to the 92nd Assembly seat because I believe that I have been effective representing the people of our district in previous years. I have been engaged with the communities that I represent and will continue to do so in the future if I earn another term. Working in Madison has been a honor as well as a duty that I would hope to have made positive impacts to rural Wisconsin with short term and long term results. Our future is important and I feel that I can continue to commit my best effort to produce those outcomes.

What do you think are the significant issues facing the district?

I think there are a number of issues that are significant. The most I have been hearing about when talking with my constituents is inflation. As a legislator, the quickest and most impactful thing that can be done is to cut taxes. Although it is sometimes difficult to do, I am willing to look at all avenues to find solutions. Another issue is public safety. I will continue to support law enforcement and emergency services because this is a vital part of our community. Education is a topic that is always talked about. I am proud to have consistently supported increases in school funding in the budgets that I have voted for and will always fight for what rural schools deserve.

How, specifically do you plan to solve those issues?

To solve the issues of inflation is something that state government cannot fully control but looking at the direct state taxes is one thing that could be cut and hopefully there will be an appetite in Madison to make an impact on people’s bottom line. As for law enforcement and emergency services, supporting these entities both morally and financially are key to their success. I will continuously work with our local agencies to find solutions for their needs. Rural education is our future and I will continue to be a champion for all stakeholders and hope to increase rural school funding.

Name: Maria Bamonti 

Age: 44

Family: I live in Gilmanton with my husband, Tommy, and our 9-year-old daughter, Ella 

Educational background: University of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN (2004-2007), Bachelor of Applied Science - BS, Organizational Communication; Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, MN Diploma, Dental Assisting (1997-1998) 

Present occupation: Owner/Operator at Farm to Fork Pizza, Mondovi 

Other community involvement: I am a founding member and board president of Anthony Acres Public Charter School (2018-present). We are proud members of the Wisconsin Farmer’s Union. I completed the Leadership Eau Claire Program, through the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, class of 2018. 

Why are you running for office? 

I was initially motivated to run because no one was running against the incumbent. I believe in the democratic process, which means voters have a choice in who they are voting for. After further thought, I decided it was time to step up and fight for the people and community that I love. For too long many of us, including myself, have stayed out of politics. However, there are things in our community that we all rely on, that need someone to fight for, such as fully funded public schools, affordable healthcare, women’s rights, hi-speed internet, and clean water. 

What do you think are the significant issues facing the district? 

Affordable healthcare: Wisconsin can and should accept the $1.6 billion in federal Medicaid expansion dollars to provide coverage to over 126,000 more Wisconsinites.

Fully funded public schools: Support more funding for special education so our schools can meet the needs of all their students; fund early education programs, Head Start, and 4K; and wean private schools off the state voucher program and put that money back into our public schools. 

Ensuring access to reproductive healthcare: Every Wisconsinite should have the power to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions, I’ll fight to ensure abortion is safe, legal, and accessible. 

How, specifically, do you plan to solve those issues? 

The environment and creating a sustainable local economy are my personal priorities. My business is based on regenerative farming, and supporting other small farms and businesses. We can no longer ignore the impacts of climate change and the importance of having clean drinking water. The Mississippi River is so low that barges are no longer able to move supplies. We have neighbors who cannot drink water from their own wells because it is poisoned with nitrates. I will fight tirelessly for small businesses and small farms as I know they can lead the way to solve these issues.