Jeff Foster

Jeff Foster was born in Wisconsin. He graduated from Hamilton High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 1979 and a graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh in 1988. His career experience includes working as a dairy farmer and social worker. He has been affiliated with the Wisconsin Farmers Union.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Jeff Foster and my wife and I live on our eighty acre farm in Dunn County. I have two grown children and five grandchildren. I have a B.A. in interpersonal communication from UW-Milwaukee, taken graduate courses in Social Work, and earned an M.B.A. from UW-Oshkosh. I worked in Child Protective Services as a social worker on the Menominee Reservation. After purchasing our farm, I became the sixth person in Wisconsin to milk sheep commercially. I co-founded the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative and served as its first president. My flock grew to 300 and I milked up to 150 ewes twice daily. When both of the cheese makers who were buying my milk went out of business, I went to work for, and retired from Xcel Energy, Inc. I have been active in my community, serving as a delegate to both the Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District Democratic Convention and the Wisconsin State Democratic Convention for five years. I ran for election to the State Assembly in 2024 and for Dunn County Supervisor in 2026. I am a member of Wisconsin Farmers Union and Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Freedom as a value we all share. Freedoms under threat include reproductive freedom, the freedom of citizens to vote in the least restrictive manner, and freedom from gun violence.Family values. Our children deserve high quality daycare and the best public education possible. Families benefit from the security of paid medical leave.Community as a value. Accessible and affordable health care is a human right. Young people should be able to see a future for themselves and a family in their hometowns. Incentivizing apprentices and graduates to stay in, or return to, their family farm or hometown will sustain and grow small communities. Farmers, manufacturers, and retail businesses keep communities vibrant. Investing in small communities will pay huge dividends.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public education, property taxes, health care, child care.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Jeff Foster and my wife and I live on our eighty acre farm in the 67th district portion of Dunn County. I have a B.A. in interpersonal communication from UW-Milwaukee, graduate courses in Social Work, and an M.B.A. from UW-Oshkosh. I worked in Child Protective Services as a social worker on the Menominee Reservation. After purchasing our farm, I co-founded the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative and served as its first president. I milked up to 150 ewes twice a day. When my cheese maker market dried up, I went to work for, and retired from Xcel Energy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Freedom as a value we all share. Freedoms under threat include reproductive freedom, the freedom of citizens to vote in the least restrictive manner, and freedom from gun violence.Family values. Our children deserve high quality daycare and the best public education possible. Paid family medical leave provides temporary financial security.Community as a value. Accessible and affordable health care is a human right. Apprentices and graduates who stay in, or return to, their hometowns sustain and grow small communities. New business owners and existing businesses keep communities vibrant. Investing in small communities will pay huge dividends.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Health care, education, and housing.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my father. He was very principled, generous, hard-working and supportive. I miss him every day.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official, to be trusted by their constituents, must demonstrate honesty and integrity.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am compassionate while analytical, curious and open-minded while principled, thorough while goal-oriented.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of an elected official are listening to their constituents and preparing for, and acting on, legislation.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that I remember was the day President Kennedy was assassinated. I was ten years old and had run home for lunch like I did every day. While eating and watching "As The World Turns" with my mother, when the announcement of the shooting came over the T.V.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship between the governor and the legislature consists of regular and consistent communication.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Wisconsin's greatest challenges over the next decade will be healthcare, education, housing, and environment.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

I believe that it is critical for legislators to build relationships with their colleagues.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The initial use of emergency powers should rest with the executive branch. The legislature should have some recourse in the case of gregious misuse of power.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Th Reproductive freedom, allowing abortion up to the condition of fetal viability.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, IBEW WI Local 14, WEAC, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Progress.

What committees interest you?

Agriculture, Health, education, environment.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Funded programs should provide annual audits which comment on adherence to performance benchmarks.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

A ballot initiative for statute and constitutional amendment would allow greater democracy for Wisconsin.