Secretary of State Candidates Respond to WEMTA Questions

Secretary of State Candidate Responses

Republican and Democratic primaries are required in this race. WEMTA asked every Secretary of State candidate the following questions. Their responses are compiled below and appear in the order in which their names are listed on the ballot. The Office of Secretary of State is important to WEMTA because they serve on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, which oversees the Common School Fund. 

1. State Legislators have debated the idea of eliminating the Office of the Secretary of State in past legislative sessions. What is your position on this issue?

Jay Schroeder (R): Did not respond.

Spencer Zimmerman (R): Did not respond.

Doug La Follette (D), Incumbent: I strongly oppose the elimination if the SOS and the State Treasurer's offices.

I have fought against this idea for many years. Rather I support returning the important duties that have been taken away from these two offices.

Arvina Martin (D): I firmly believe that the Office of Secretary of State should not only be retained, but should have duties returned to the office. Last Spring’s referendum showed that Wisconsinites want to see another constitutional office, the State Treasurer, remain, and I believe that this carries over to the Secretary of State’s office as well. I think this shows that the people of Wisconsin are interested in seeing the duties of government spread across many branches, leading to more transparency as well as checks and balances. First and foremost, the Secretary of State should be a champion of democracy, and have a strong role overseeing elections, making sure they are fair, and working to increase participation. Unfortunately, over 40 years, leaders of both parties have lost faith in the incumbent, and essentially all of his responsibilities have been stripped from the office. It’s time for a reset in which we restore the Secretary of State’s office under new leadership.

2. What do you believe the role of the secretary of state is in relation to public education in Wisconsin?

Jay Schroeder (R): Did not respond.

Spencer Zimmerman (R): Did not respond.

Doug La Follette (D), Incumbent: In addition to the critical role on the Board of Land Commissioners where I have and will fight to protect the funds and work to earn as much interest as possible for the School Libraries.  The SOS can play a role in educating people about the importance of Democracy and education.  I will continue to work on and talk about environmental issues.

Arvina Martin (D): The Secretary of State should be a vocal and visible champion for strong public schools in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the current Secretary of State does the bare minimum, and almost every single duty has been taken away. I will be a visible champion for public schools, traveling the state and advocating for increased investment in our classrooms and libraries. As you know, the Secretary of State is a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, managing the funds that are ultimately allocated to school libraries. The Secretary of State needs to be a strong leader to ensure that funding is protected and increased. We have an important stewardship responsibility to our land, and to ensure we protect funds that go to public schools and school libraries. I also think that the Secretary of State can use the office to promote civic participation, including encouraging Wisconsinites’ participation in elections and in the US Census. By encouraging active this participation, we can be assured that our school districts’ populations are counted accurately, ensuring that our public schools are properly funded.

3. Legislation introduced during the 2017-18 legislative session would have eliminated the requirement that Common School Fund distributions be given to school libraries. What is your position on this proposal?

Jay Schroeder (R): Did not respond.

Spencer Zimmerman (R): Did not respond.

Doug La Follette (D), Incumbent: I was against this and will continue to fight any such very dangerous ideas.

Arvina Martin (D): I absolutely am against this proposal. These funds are necessary for our school libraries and should not be touched. I’m aghast that the strong tradition of using revenues from our public lands to support libraries would be threatened, and I’ll be an active and strong voice, traveling across the state, to stop legislation like this and promote legislation that would strengthen schools.

4. Legislation introduced during the 2017-18 legislative session would have ended the BCPL Trust Fund Loan Program. What is your position on this proposal?

Jay Schroeder (R): Did not respond.

Spencer Zimmerman (R): Did not respond.

Doug La Follette (D), Incumbent: What can I say; dumb and dangerous idea from a group of right-wing folks.

Arvina Martin (D): I am against this as well. The loans provide accessible loans to municipalities and school districts to invest in their facilities, operations, and programs. With so many cuts to state funds that used to go to local units of government, these loans help continue improvements, and investments in their futures. If we can help fund our schools by offering reasonable loans to other Wisconsin units of government, we should most definitely do so.

5. How will you ensure that the Common School Fund and other BCPL trust funds are receiving all required deposits from fines, fees and forfeitures and other constitutionally required funding streams?

Jay Schroeder (R): Did not respond.

Spencer Zimmerman (R): Did not respond.

Doug La Follette (D), Incumbent: This has been an ongoing issue; I and the staff have been working to get Revenue and DOA to send these funds to the Board.  I would help if we, with your help, can get the Legislature to return this responsibly to the State Treasurer.

Arvina Martin (D): I will make sure that I am a responsive and attentive member of the Board of Commissioners, and am actively involved with staff responsible for collecting such fees. I will coordinate with other offices, including a rejuvenated State Treasurer, and members of the legislature. You can count on me to be a strong, visible, champion for democracy and public education.

6. What issues or policies will you prioritize if elected? 

Jay Schroeder (R): Did not respond.

Spencer Zimmerman (R): Did not respond.

Doug La Follette (D), Incumbent: Returning duties to the office and as a Land Commissioner working to protect the Trust Funds and earn interest for the schools.

Arvina Martin (D): My biggest priority as Secretary of State will be to fight for fair, open, and free elections. Most other states’ Secretaries of State are responsible for the administration of statewide elections. I would fight to return these duties back to our Secretary of State’s office, and while those duties remain in the executive branch, I would be a vocal advocate for civic participation, by making sure that voters are empowered with the proper information needed to cast their ballots. I will work to register voters and advocate for reforms like automatic voter registration. I will work with young people to promote civic participation. I will use my bully pulpit to advocate for participation in the Census and for Fair Maps. I would also work with municipal clerks and election staff to help ensure that our voting process is accessible and run smoothly. I believe that in a rapidly changing world, where we are worried about protecting civil rights, public education and the right to organize, our elections are the cornerstone of our ability to make change. Wisconsin used to have a proud tradition of voter participation, and I would love to return that legacy to our state.

The unfortunate reality is that over 40 years, leaders of both parties have lost faith in the incumbent, and essentially all of his responsibilities have been stripped from the office. It’s time for a reset in which we restore the Secretary of State’s office under new leadership.