This story first appeared in UpNorthNews
Ben Brist is familiar with the sentiments of frustration expressed by many.
“People are mad right now and they’re frustrated. … Republican leaders in both Washington and in our state legislature in Madison, have made life more expensive, made it harder to afford everyday things like rent, electricity, groceries, and prescription drugs,” said Brist.
Amid the pivotal legislative elections in Wisconsin, Democrat Ben Brist aims to challenge Republican State Assemblyman Bob Donovan in the 61st Assembly District, covering parts of southwest Milwaukee and its suburbs.
Brist’s Military Background
A native of Madison, Ben Brist served as a paratrooper in the Army 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq and Kuwait, later advancing to Company Commander in the 4th Infantry Division.
Post-military, Brist worked with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, drawing inspiration from their dedication to public service, he shared with UpNorthNews.
Residing in Greendale with his wife Hannie, a former military intelligence officer, Brist expresses intentions to start a family.
Having personally visited around 2,500 homes in the district, Brist engaged in 500 conversations, identifying core voter issues such as the rising cost of living, healthcare expenses, and hefty property taxes.
“I talked to a retired woman in the Milwaukee part of my district who had to come out of retirement to go back to work part time because she couldn’t keep up with costs and didn’t know how she would make her rent payments,” Brist said. “She had recently started selling her plasma to make ends meet.”
“Another district constituent, a retired Army vet, told me he was trying to decide between paying his property taxes so he could keep his house, paying his We Energy bill so he could keep his electricity on and paying to get his car fixed so he can still get around,” Brist said.
His Campaign Priorities
Highlighting the Republican dominance in Wisconsin’s state Assembly and Senate since 2011, Brist criticizes their refusal to expand Medicaid/Badgercare, a decision he believes would alleviate healthcare costs.
“That should be a day one priority,” Brist said. He advocates for a statewide public-option healthcare plan.
Brist holds Donovan accountable for elevated costs, criticizing his votes against Medicaid expansion, public education funding, and price caps on essential prescription drugs like insulin.
He attributes increased state costs to school vouchers and seeks their elimination. “We cannot afford to continue to fund two education systems: a private school system paid for by taxpayer-funded vouchers of up to $13,371 per pupil, and a public school system,” Brist said.
“This has led to struggling school districts and sky-high property taxes. Undoing vouchers won’t be a quick or simple process, but we have to do it over time.”
Drawing a Contrast
Brist and Donovan diverge sharply on reproductive rights. Donovan, who has labeled abortion “manifest wickedness,” voted to maintain the state’s 1849 abortion ban and supported a 14-week abortion ban, both of which faced opposition from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Brist aims to repeal the 1849 law and legally enshrine abortion rights for Wisconsin women. “We should all be able to agree that decisions about abortion should not belong to a legislator in Madison,” Brist said.
Comparing his military experience with Donovan’s two-decade tenure on the Milwaukee Common Council, Brist emphasizes his commitment to impactful public service for all district residents, transcending political divides.
“It’s living a life where you’re actually pursuing public service and one where you’re just seeking public office,” Brist said. “It’s that ability to find that common purpose and work with anybody to get stuff done to make Wisconsin a better place.”
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