Sasha Ripley

Sasha Ripley earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, additional education from Madison College, and additional education from Marian College. Her career experience includes working as an educator.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Sasha Ripley. I am an educator from a working-class family. I was born in and have lived in the 13th Senate District most of my adult life. My grandparents were small business owners in Marquette County. They owned a small resort and landscaping business on Montello Lake. My father was a mechanic, worked road construction and is a Vietnam veteran. I was the first person on my mother’s side of the family to graduate from college. I put myself through college as a single mother and earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and History from UW Stevens Point, a graduate certification in Adult Alternative Education from Marian college, and a medical coding degree from Madison College. I was the Education Navigator for Sauk County until we lost funding and the position was eliminated. I am currently teaching GED/HSED classes to adults.

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?

I am running for Wisconsin State Senate because the people of Wisconsin deserve a representative who shows up and fights for working and middle-class families, small business owners, and farmers. I want to help Wisconsin residents build a better economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthiest Wisconsinites and the big corporations. We need new ideas and big, bold changes. Establishment politics isn't working for Wisconsin anymore. I want to help the community that I love and make a positive impact that truly improves people's lives. I hope people will vote for a neighbor and a friend instead of a letter next to the unknown name of a stranger who doesn't show up for you or your community.I support fully funding our public schools and lowering property taxes. We had 7 public school referendums in the 13th district. We need our rural public schools. They are an integral part of our communities and our rural culture. Rural schools are important to our kids, parents, homeowners, school staff, and small businesses. We must elect legislators who will work to restructure the way we fund our public schools so they can once again provide the great education that our kids deserve and attract and retain the best educators, while also lowering our property taxes. We can’t continue placing such a high tax burden on our homeowners and we can’t tax our retired people out of their homes.We need a pause on building data centers until we have strict regulations, transparency, and input from the public. We must elect legislators who will stand up to big corporations and fight to protect our rural communities, our natural resources, and our farms. We need to ensure that companies building data centers pay their fair share of taxes from the beginning and throughout the entirety of the project and pay 100% of the costs to build, maintain, and use the facilities. Wisconsin residents should not foot the bill for building new infrastructure, upgrading the electrical grid, or increasing gas, water, and electric rates. We must demand transparency and put an end to the use of NDA's and other sneaky and unethical tactics.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Our rural way of life is worth fighting for. We've been ignoring our rural communities for too long and it's time to start paying attention again. Too many people in Wisconsin can’t afford their rent or to buy a home of their own. The American dream of owning your own home is quickly disappearing. Young people graduating from college or getting married and starting a family can’t afford housing. I will focus on increasing the supply of housing and bringing down prices. We must build rental housing and modest single-family homes in rural areas that are affordable for the average Wisconsin family. Rural Wisconsin residents are often forgotten when it comes to housing. Increasing supply results in more competition and less demand.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

WEAC

Wisconsin AFL-CIO

Wisconsin Progress