Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Kim Butler (Wisconsin)
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Kim Butler (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 28. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Butler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Kim Butler earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Grinnell College in 1983. Her professional experience includes working as a television producer, content writer, and business owner. Butler has served as the chair of the Polk County Democratic Party, the chair of the 7th Congressional District Democratic Party, and the secretary of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.[1][2][3]
Butler has been affiliated with the following organizations:[2]
- Polk County Lakes and Rivers Association
- League of Women Voters
- Polk County and 7th CD Democratic parties
- Citizen Action of Western WI
- Working Families Party
Elections
2020
See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2020
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 28
Incumbent Gae Magnafici defeated Kim Butler in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 28 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Gae Magnafici (R) | 63.9 | 21,678 |
 | Kim Butler (D)  | 36.1 | 12,230 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 3 | ||
| Total votes: 33,911 | |||
| = 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 28
Kim Butler advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 28 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kim Butler | 100.0 | 3,615 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Total votes: 3,616 | |||
| = 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 28
Incumbent Gae Magnafici advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 28 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gae Magnafici | 99.9 | 6,503 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 5 | ||
| Total votes: 6,508 | |||
| = 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
Endorsements
To view Butler's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
2018
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2018
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 28
Gae Magnafici defeated Kim Butler in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 28 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gae Magnafici (R) | 59.0 | 14,441 |
| Kim Butler (D) | 41.0 | 10,028 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 4 | ||
| Total votes: 24,473 | |||
| = 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 28
Kim Butler advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 28 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kim Butler | 100.0 | 3,061 |
| Total votes: 3,061 | |||
| = 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 28
Gae Magnafici advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 28 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gae Magnafici | 100.0 | 4,665 |
| Total votes: 4,665 | |||
| = 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
Kim Butler completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Butler's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I am a 14 year cancer survivor, a mom, a community volunteer and small business owner. I'm running to get affordable, accessible healthcare for Wisconsin, fully fund our public schools, tech colleges and universities, and bring family supporting jobs to our district. I will work to reopen our schools and economy safely, and better than before. My husband and I moved to Balsam Lake 19 years ago to raise our children. Our small business started in our basement, and now employs 17 people. I started volunteering at my kids school after I recovered from cancer treatment. I've been on the Unity Community Education Council, ran the district Girl Scout Program, ran the AYSO district soccer program for 6 years, was elected to the Half Moon Lake Protection and Rehabilitation Board, and still Edit a bi-annual 28 page newsletter for them. I also serve as a Board Member of the Polk County Lakes and Rivers Association where I monitor the County Board's ESC meetings. I have served as Chair of the Polk County Democratic Party for several years, and was elected as Chair of 7th Congressional District Democratic Party, where I also serve on the Democratic Party of WI Administrative Committee. I run to represent everyone in the district, not just people who vote for me, and I will be an accessible legislator. I understand the issues, and will work to create long term solutions that benefit our district.
- Too many people in our district and across the state are underinsured or uninsured. As a mom, a cancer survivor and small business owner, affordable healthcare is a personal issue with me.
- Our rural schools need fair funding, and our school funding, while greatly improved, still falls short in funding Special Education.
- No one who works 40 hours a week should live in poverty. I want to bring family supporting jobs to this area, and will fight for $15/hour
Schools and public education, health insurance, the environment and income inequality. Everyone deserves a chance at the American dream but it's out of reach for many. I see too many people working hard, at multiple jobs, who can't make ends meet. This isn't right. Since the 1980s, big corporations and ultra wealthy people have stopped paying their fair share of taxes, and it shows in bad roads, crumbling infrastructure, underfunded schools, and strained safety net programs. Here in rural WI, we need affordable high speed broad band for local entrepreneurs, for people to work remotely, and for our schools.
We need farm programs that help our small farmers rather than give big subsidies to giant corporate farms. We need to protect our environment that provides clean air and water to us, and brings enjoyment for all, and millions of tourist dollars to our state. I believe s representative's job is just that - to represent the constituents in her district, not just the simple majority who voted her in. I'll listen to and work for everyone In our district.
We need farm programs that help our small farmers rather than give big subsidies to giant corporate farms. We need to protect our environment that provides clean air and water to us, and brings enjoyment for all, and millions of tourist dollars to our state. I believe s representative's job is just that - to represent the constituents in her district, not just the simple majority who voted her in. I'll listen to and work for everyone In our district.
Honesty, a willingness and openness to listening to others and different opinions. Respecting experts and science. Respecting constituents and their opinions. Being willing to vote against party, and maybe also against one's personal opinion to best represent their district. A willingness to learn about policy issues, and work to see all sides, plus creativity to form solutions. The ability to put people over politics.
Honesty, compassion and empathy, and a curious mind. Respect for others and their opinions. Creative problem solving. Critical thinking skills.
That I was a kind person, and an honest person who was a good mother, a good daughter, a good wife, and a good person. That I used my gifts and skills to help others.
After babysitting jobs, the first real job I had was in high school , scooping ice cream in a local ice cream parlor. I did this at a couple places throughout high school and it prepared me to be a waitress during and after college. It was hard work, especially when a movie at the local theatre would end and the line stretched out the door. Scooping rock hard ice cream into hand packed pints, loading 5 gallon rounds into the cooler, cleaning out the coolers and machines each night, while working fast, remembering orders, and being friendly was good training. As was working a night shift the night before a final exam. I still like waitressing, and did catering work while I was a full time TV producer to earn a down payment for my first house.
Recently, Bryan Stephenson's "Just Mercy" because it showed how much good there is in people, whether they are fresh faced attorneys just out of law school, or convicts on death row and the families that love them. It also showed what a challenge and obstacle racism is in our criminal justice system.
Either Nancy Drew or Katniss Everdeen
Who Let the Dogs Out
Stage 3C Cancer diagnosis , which is one step down from terminal when my kids were 5 and 7 was a test of my strength, and made me realize what was important. I endured multiple surgeries, months of chemo and radiation, intense pain and took it all so that my kids would have a mother, so that I could be there for them to graduate high school. Things I used to be annoyed or worried about stopped mattering, and I developed greater compassion. I promised I would give back to my community if I got through it, and I have. I have 2 successful kids in college now, and I am blessed.
The 2 year assembly is immediately accountable to their district. The districts are also small enough that the Representative can really get to know their district. The longer terms for Senate allow the Senators to develop more expertise on their committees about issues, etc.
No, but I think they need to demonstrate an interest in policy, a willingness to learn and listen to other opinions, and experience working in their community and with others.
Healthcare, school funding, rebuilding the infrastructure, and protecting our farmers and the environment.
Collaboration and compromise. There should be a respectful, friendly give and take, and neither side should expect to win all the time.
Yes. As a TV producer, and as a volunteer I always seek to get to know my coworkers. Creative solutions come out of relationships, and hearing the other side's opinion or expertise.
Non partisan Iowa model where a committee prepares the maps, ignoring past election data, and tries to make simple, fair maps based on county and municipal boundaries and landscape features. Counties should not be split if possible, and districts should be competitive for both parties.
Education, health care, Colleges & Universities, Medicaid oversight, Tourism, Families and Children, Labor, Environment, Corrections, Consumer Protection.
Rep. Katrina Shankland knows policy, is a strong advocate, is accessible to constituents, and beloved by her constituents. Senator Patty Schachtner is compassionate, authentic, and genuinely cares about her constituents and how to solve problems.
Maybe State Senate. Otherwise, no.
I've heard many stories,but the ones that I hear the most are people advocating to legalize marijuana, especially medical marijuana. Many people can only find relief from pain, seizures, trauma and PTSD, and addiction through marijuana. I think it's cruel not to allow this. One man on disability wrote to me who could not tolerate opioids, which I can understand as I have issues with opioid pain meds, and he needed a legal way to get relief for his chronic pain.
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.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Kim Butler participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on September 19, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Kim Butler's responses follow below.[4]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | Affordable healthcare Fully funded public schools and family supporting jobs[5][6] |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | Healthcare and education. I am a mom of teenagers, a 12 year cancer survivor and co-owner of a small business so I buy my insurance through the ACA. I remember the days before the ACA when our family of 4 had 3 insurance policies. I wanted fairly and fully funded public schools. I see how education can lift a family out of poverty in one generation.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[6]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Kim Butler answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?
| “ | I admire the late MN Senator Paul Wellstone, who fought for equality and fairness, and the everyday American. He was a fighter, but worked across the aisle to pass legislation. I admire Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt for the creative programs they developed which changed our nation, and Abraham Lincoln who kept our nation whole.[6] | ” |
| “ | The Conscience of a Liberal by Paul Wellstone. The Fall of Wisconsin by Dan Kaufman. Democracy in Chains by Nancy MacClean[6] | ” |
| “ | Honesty, empathy, compassion, curiosity and an open mind willing to learn.[6] | ” |
| “ | I am a creative problem solver, I love to learn and talk to people and hear many sides of a situation. I see all children as my children, I see other mothers and women as myself. I can empathize with their situation. When I see a problem, I want to fix it.[6] | ” |
| “ | Representing the interests of the people who elected them. Listening to these people. Crafting and voting for legislation to make their lives better.[6] | ” |
| “ | That any woman can run for office, win, and work hard for their constituents.[6] | ” |
| “ | I remember Bobby Kennedy being shot. My best friend, who was also six, and I wanted to go see his body lying in State. Our parents said no.[6] | ” |
| “ | After babysitting in middle school, I scooped ice cream in an ice cream store. It was hard work, and I continued to work in the Service industry as a waitress. Even when I was a television producer, I did catering jobs on the weekends to save money for my first house.[6] | ” |
| “ | I lived next door to a lovely older woman who I enjoyed talking to. Her son came home from law school one weekend, and she arranged a date. I was very uncomfortable in his corvette, and we never seemed to hit it off during dinner. I thought I did most of the talking and he had none of his mother’s charm. Yet he tried to kiss me at the end, and asked me out again, both of which I declined.[6] | ” |
| “ | I love thanksgiving. I have hosted our family every year for the last 17 except the fall I did chemo. I brine my turkey and make a great apple pie. Everyone brings something, and we have anywhere from 10 to 18 people. I set a fancy table, and afterwards we go for walks, take naps, and play Rumikub and Scrabble. Great food and time with family. No presents or commercialization.[6] | ” |
| “ | I like “The Round House” and other books by Louise Erdrich. I like seeing the lives and interior thoughts of Native Americans. Any books that show me a culture or a time other than my own.[6] | ” |
| “ | Wonder Woman or Elastigirl, the mom in The Incredibles. Real women have incredible power, but it would be fun to have super powers.[6] | ” |
| “ | My family photo albums. Because I love the memories of my family through the years and seeing how my kids have grown.[6] | ” |
| “ | Michael Jackson “Let’s Dance, Let’s Shout, Shake your body down to the ground”. It was playing at Mennards when I was buying lightbulbs. I resisted the urge to dance.[6] | ” |
| “ | Facing Stage 3C breast cancer when my kids were 5 and 7. I did not want to leave them without a mom.[6] | ” |
| “ | The Two year Assembly is much more tied to the mood of the electorate. No one in my district seems to serve very long. I think the senate let’s you learn and grow in the job and get to know your constituents better.[6] | ” |
| “ | It can help, but is not essential if someone is a quick study and enjoys learning.[6] | ” |
| “ | Bringing Wisconsin back to its progressive roots, making the university and college system once more the gem of our state. Reviving our middle class.[6] | ” |
| “ | Collaborators.[6] | ” |
| “ | I have always built relationships with my coworkers. I think the exchange of ideas is important, and makes for good solutions. Friendships lead to compromise and understanding.[6] | ” |
| “ | Iowa model.[6] | ” |
| “ | Healthcare, Education and the Environment.[6] | ” |
| “ | I will cross that bridge when I come to it.[6] | ” |
| “ | My Senator Patty Schachtner is everywhere, making herself very available to constituents and sharing her knowledge on social media. Kathleen Vinehout devours the budget and votes her conscience. Janet Bewley inspires and is very generous with her time. Chris Taylor takes risks, and Katrina Shankland connects with her constituents.[6] | ” |
| “ | Not at this point. But I don’t know.[6] | ” |
| “ | I think a lot about the people suffering from medical problems who can’t get the care they need, I also think about a mom who was 18 months clean from a meth addiction, buried in student loan debt, but trying to work hard and do right by her kids.[6] | ” |
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
Government exists to make people's lives better. "We all do better when we all do better" Senator Paul Wellstone. I have always been a creative problem solver, and when I see something not working, I step up to fix it. Affordable, accessible health care, family supporting jobs, and excellent, fully funded schools are my priorities. We need more mental health and drug addiction treatment, and to grow our economy without sacrificing our environment. Is there anything you would like to add? Endorsed by Sierra Club, EMILY's List, Wisconsin Progress, Citizen Action of Western WI, Working Families Party, WI Farm Bureau, Clean Action WI, WEAC,[6] |
” |
| —Kim Butler[2] | ||
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form October 11, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 28, 2020.
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email communication with Kim Butler," March 20, 2024
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Kim Butler's responses," September 19, 2018
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
Current members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Leadership
Minority Leader:Greta Neubauer
Representatives
District 1
Joel Kitchens (R)
District 2
Shae Sortwell (R)
District 3
Ron Tusler (R)
District 4
David Steffen (R)
District 5
Joy Goeben (R)
District 6
Elijah Behnke (R)
District 7
Karen Kirsch (D)
District 8
District 9
Priscilla Prado (D)
District 10
Darrin Madison (D)
District 11
Sequanna Taylor (D)
District 12
Russell Goodwin (D)
District 13
Robyn Vining (D)
District 14
Angelito Tenorio (D)
District 15
Adam Neylon (R)
District 16
Kalan Haywood (D)
District 17
Supreme Omokunde (D)
District 18
Margaret Arney (D)
District 19
Ryan Clancy (D)
District 20
District 21
Jessie Rodriguez (R)
District 22
Paul Melotik (R)
District 23
Deb Andraca (D)
District 24
Daniel Knodl (R)
District 25
Paul Tittl (R)
District 26
Joe Sheehan (D)
District 27
Lindee Brill (R)
District 28
Rob Kreibich (R)
District 29
District 30
District 31
Tyler August (R)
District 32
Amanda Nedweski (R)
District 33
Robin Vos (R)
District 34
Rob Swearingen (R)
District 35
Calvin Callahan (R)
District 36
Jeffrey Mursau (R)
District 37
Mark Born (R)
District 38
District 39
Alex Dallman (R)
District 40
Karen DeSanto (D)
District 41
Tony Kurtz (R)
District 42
District 43
Brienne Brown (D)
District 44
Ann Roe (D)
District 45
Clinton Anderson (D)
District 46
Joan Fitzgerald (D)
District 47
Randy Udell (D)
District 48
Andrew Hysell (D)
District 49
Travis Tranel (R)
District 50
Jenna Jacobson (D)
District 51
Todd Novak (R)
District 52
Lee Snodgrass (D)
District 53
Dean Kaufert (R)
District 54
Lori Palmeri (D)
District 55
Nate Gustafson (R)
District 56
Dave Murphy (R)
District 57
Kevin Petersen (R)
District 58
Rick Gundrum (R)
District 59
Robert Brooks (R)
District 60
Jerry O'Connor (R)
District 61
Robert Donovan (R)
District 62
Angelina Cruz (D)
District 63
Robert Wittke (R)
District 64
Tip McGuire (D)
District 65
Ben DeSmidt (D)
District 66
Greta Neubauer (D)
District 67
David Armstrong (R)
District 68
Rob Summerfield (R)
District 69
Karen Hurd (R)
District 70
Nancy VanderMeer (R)
District 71
Vinnie Miresse (D)
District 72
Scott Krug (R)
District 73
Angela Stroud (D)
District 74
Chanz Green (R)
District 75
Duke Tucker (R)
District 76
Francesca Hong (D)
District 77
Renuka Mayadev (D)
District 78
Shelia Stubbs (D)
District 79
Lisa Subeck (D)
District 80
Mike Bare (D)
District 81
Alex Joers (D)
District 82
Scott Allen (R)
District 83
Dave Maxey (R)
District 84
Chuck Wichgers (R)
District 85
Patrick Snyder (R)
District 86
John Spiros (R)
District 87
Brent Jacobson (R)
District 88
District 89
Ryan Spaude (D)
District 90
District 91
Jodi Emerson (D)
District 92
Clint Moses (R)
District 93
Christian Phelps (D)
District 94
Steve Doyle (D)
District 95
Jill Billings (D)
District 96
Tara Johnson (D)
District 97
Cindi Duchow (R)
District 98
Jim Piwowarczyk (R)
District 99
Barbara Dittrich (R)
Republican Party (54)
Democratic Party (45)
