Ken Holdorf
Ken Holdorf (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 89. Holdorf was disqualified from the Democratic primary scheduled on August 11, 2020.
Elections
2020
See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2020
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent John Nygren defeated Karl Jaeger in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Nygren (R) | 68.7 | 22,823 |
 | Karl Jaeger (D) | 31.2 | 10,374 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 10 | ||
| Total votes: 33,207 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Karl Jaeger advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karl Jaeger | 99.9 | 3,076 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 4 | ||
| Total votes: 3,080 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ken Holdorf (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent John Nygren defeated Andi Rich in the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Nygren | 83.4 | 5,189 |
 | Andi Rich | 16.6 | 1,032 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Total votes: 6,222 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
2018
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2018
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent John Nygren defeated Ken Holdorf in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Nygren (R) | 66.9 | 17,091 |
 | Ken Holdorf (D) | 33.1 | 8,461 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 13 | ||
| Total votes: 25,565 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Ken Holdorf advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ken Holdorf | 100.0 | 2,429 |
| Total votes: 2,429 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent John Nygren advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Nygren | 100.0 | 5,747 |
| Total votes: 5,747 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ken Holdorf did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ken Holdorf completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Holdorf's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
First, I would address the problem of contamination of Wisconsin's water supplies from various pollution sources across the state. Many citizens are struggling with pollution from manure in their private wells. Others, are dealing with lead pipes leaching lead into their water supplies, and the threat of sulfide mining with the repeal of Wisconsin's Prove It First Law. Second, issue is the struggles of family farms. Western Wisconsin led the nation in farm related bankruptcies. Farming plays a significant role in Wisconsin's economy and is therefore crucial to ensuring the success of those who feed the rest of us. Third issue is support for a fully funded public education system. Over the course of the past eight years, Wisconsin's k-12, UW-System, and technical colleges endured records cuts to their budgets. We must make every effort to educate today's children who will be tomorrow's skilled workforce. Investing in our public education system would also go a long way toward addressing the skilled trade shortage.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
We must make every effort to protecting and preserving natural resources, particularly water. Wisconsin is one of several other states that is in close proximity to 20% of the world's fresh water supply and we must do everything we can to protect this limited natural resource. With various sources of contaminants placing water supplies at risk, I believe it is important to have environmental policies in place that will protect our natural resources without hindering economic growth.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson because he was confident in both the political power of ordinary citizens and the government's ability to promote the public good.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I encourage people to read the book "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Be true to your values and remember that the people elected you to represent them.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I take the time to listen to people and hear their concerns. I believe that by including citizens in developing solutions to the many problems our state faces, we make them feel valued.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Our American Constitution guarantees citizens' rights to representation. Elected officials should communicate the wishes of their constituents and be transparent with them by involving them in the process of implementing policies that puts their interests first.
What legacy would you like to leave?
To bring honesty and integrity as an elected representative that would gain the trust of the people.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The assassination of a leader for civil rights for all Americans, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the first event I remembered at the age of 6.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was delivering newspapers, which I performed for a year.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas because it is a time when family comes together to celebrate the birth of Christ. The togetherness, love, and appreciation of family sharing a meal, cup of eggnog, and exchanging presents expresses important values of love, sharing, and giving something of ourselves.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
While I see some benefit in previous experience in government, I do not believe it is a requirement to run for elected office. People gain experience from other walks of life as well as non-governmental positions they held that provide them the needed credentials.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Controlling pollution of our water sources, addressing the many infrastructure issues pointed out by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and providing affordable healthcare for all state citizens.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
To have a partnership that works together for the common good of all citizens.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Legislators, regardless of party affiliations working together in the spirit of teamwork would be of great benefit because it enables the best results in policies that achieves the shared goal of "A Wisconsin To Believe In."
What process do you favor for redistricting?
A non-partisan commission appointed to draw fair district lines that promotes participation by people in the election process.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I would want to be a member of the Joint Finance Committee to participate in the process of ensuring taxpayer money is spent in their best interest.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
