Pete Karas

Pete Karas earned a high school diploma from William Horlick High School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse in 1983.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Pete Karas is a Wisconsin small business owner, community advocate, and independent-minded candidate for Secretary of State. He lives in Muskego and previously owned Suburban Bourbon, where he worked closely with customers, employees, and local suppliers. That experience gave him a practical understanding of how state policies affect everyday people trying to run a business and support their families.

He has been active in grassroots political organizing and ballot access efforts across Wisconsin, helping independent and third-party candidates get on the ballot and advocating for reforms that give voters more meaningful choices. Frustrated by the limitations of the two-party system, Pete has focused on expanding competition, transparency, and accountability in state government.

Pete is running for Secretary of State to bring a stronger administrative focus to the office — improving record-keeping, public access to information, and modernization of outdated systems — while supporting reforms like ranked-choice voting and more open, responsive government.

He believes public office should be about stewardship and service, not party loyalty, and is committed to making state government more accessible and accountable to the people of Wisconsin.

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?

Independence from the two-party system.

Pete Karas' candidacy positions himself outside the traditional Republican–Democratic framework. His campaign focuses on the role of independent and third-party candidates in Wisconsin politics and emphasizes competition, institutional reform, and alternatives to major-party dominance as part of his overall approach to the office.Election and structural reform -

Pete Karas highlights election-related reforms as a priority, including support for policies such as ranked-choice voting and expanded ballot access. His campaign presents these issues as part of a broader effort to increase voter participation, improve representation, and update aspects of Wisconsin’s electoral system.Administrative focus and transparency -

Pete Karas’s campaign emphasizes the administrative responsibilities of the Secretary of State’s office, including maintaining accurate public records, improving access to government information, and modernizing outdated systems. His platform frames the role as primarily operational and service-oriented, emphasizing efficiency, clarity, and public accountability.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Electoral reform. Breaking the two-party stranglehold