Neal Plotkin

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Neal Plotkin

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 1976

Personal

Birthplace

Milwaukee, Wis.

Religion

Jewish

Profession

Small business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

Neal Plotkin (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Wisconsin State Senate to represent District 8. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Plotkin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Neal Plotkin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in 1976. Plotkin's career experience includes being the owner and operator of his own business, Plotkin Sales and Marketing.

Elections

2020

See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Wisconsin State Senate District 8

Incumbent Alberta Darling defeated Neal Plotkin in the general election for Wisconsin State Senate District 8 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alberta Darling (R)	54.2	64,906
		Neal Plotkin (D)	45.7	54,693
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	67

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 119,666
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Senate District 8

Neal Plotkin advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Senate District 8 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Neal Plotkin	99.9	17,569
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	14

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,583
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Frank Bryson (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Wisconsin State Senate District 8

Incumbent Alberta Darling advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Senate District 8 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alberta Darling	99.5	16,172
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	74

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,246
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jeremy Somers (R)

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Neal Plotkin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Plotkin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a husband, father, local businessman, substitute teacher, and sports enthusiast, and lifetime Wisconsinite who has lived in 8th senate district for over 35 years, I am passionate about this area. Born and raised on Milwaukee's northwest side, I attended MPS, and earned my Bachelor of Science degree from UW - Milwaukee. I spent over 40 years working in small business - 25 years running my small sales agency. Recently, I earned my Wisconsin Substitute Teacher's License, and spent the past 3 years teaching, primarily at Nicolet High School, in Glendale. My wife, Nancy, is a registered nurse, working on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have three adult children, and four grandchildren. I am an active participant in my local community, where you can often find me volunteering with my synagogue or with my local Democratic grassroots organization. As a proud resident of my community, and I cannot stand by as our voices are silenced by career politicians kept in office through corrupt gerrymandering.

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?

• We will end the corrupt gerrymandering that has robbed Wisconsinites of their votes, and provide Fair Maps for all.
• We support expanded access to Badger Care and Medicare for Wisconsin citizens struggling in the COVID-19 pandemic.
• We are going to return funding to communities for public school education, local infrastructure, and community support by listening to the voices of the voters

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Fair Maps and Voting Rights: Voting is a right, not a privilege. Establishing fair maps to represent everyone, and protecting your unencumbered right to voting access is our top priority.

Public Education: For our future leaders, and for Wisconsin businesses to compete nationwide and in a global economy, Wisconsin needs to fully support our public schools, UW campuses and community trade colleges.

Protecting our Natural Resources: We will all be judged by the environment we leave to future generations, and we need to do better. As legislators, we must act to protect our environment. We must empower the Department of Natural Resources to effectively guard everyone's future.

Economic Development: A strong state economy begins with strong local small businesses. I spent 40 years in small business including 24 years running and owning my own. Wisconsin's future depends on Wisconsin's leaders understanding the challenges and needs of our business citizens and communities.

Tax Fairness: Taxes fund many of the local and state programs that benefit our communities, but they should never be a burden. As your state senator, I will work to restore tax fairness for Wisconsin families and homeowners.

Infrastructure: Wisconsin needs a fair and equitable way to build and maintain our roadways. Offsetting fee increases with reasonable gas tax increases means drivers from neighboring states help pay for the roads on which they drive.

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

I most admire and hope to emulate President Harry S Truman. Truman was the last American President without a college degree, but his lack of formal education never stood in the way of his dedication to learning through voracious reading. He defied his upbringing to integrate the US military, and stood as a staunch ally in recognizing the State of Israel against vocal opposition, ensuring their survival as a nation. Truman was a common man who fought against the odds for an amazing victory in the 1948 Presidential election.

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

I have been a home owning resident of the district for over 35 years. In that time, I have owned and operated my own small business for 25 years and worked as a substitute teacher at my local high school. My wife and I raised our family in the district, sent our children to public schools, and have worked to improve our community.

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

As your Senator, my job will be to listen to you and respond to your needs. My job will be to bring your voices with me to the Legislature and represent your needs. I will not talk TO you, but WITH you; I will not direct you, I will take your direction. The job of a Legislator is to represent their district, not the special interests who keep career politicians in office.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is Nine Essential Things I've Learned About Life by Harold S. Kushner, an excellent guide to living well, giving fully, and caring wholeheartedly. With wise insights on the human condition and humor, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a little extra guidance!

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

The next decade will present two essential challenges: resolving gerrymandered legislative districts to fairly represent all voters, and responding to the devastating impacts of COVD-19. Our communities will need enormous support to rebuild broken healthcare systems to provide the care that our citizens need, and in order for their needs to be met, they need a responsible voice representing them in the Legislature.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I strongly support a non-partisan redistricting committee to fairly represent Wisconsin's electorate. Redistricting must be based on population, not voting demographics, and must not cut through neighborhoods and communities so that each district is fairly and accurately represented in Wisconsin's Legislature.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

As your senator, I seek to join the committees on finance and education. With over 40 years of experience working in small businesses in Wisconsin, I have the skills and knowledge to bring positive change through finance legislation. As a substitute teacher, graduate of Wisconsin public schools, and father to three alumni of Wisconsin schools, I will work on the education committee to return funding and support to our most vital public resource. In order for Wisconsin's students to compete on a national and global stage, we must provide them with the opportunities for success that they need through education.

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

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External links

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Footnotes

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Current members of the Wisconsin State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Mary Felzkowski

Majority Leader:Devin LeMahieu

Minority Leader:Dianne Hesselbein

Senators

District 1

André Jacque (R)

District 2

Eric Wimberger (R)

District 3

Tim Carpenter (D)

District 4

Dora Drake (D)

District 5

Rob Hutton (R)

District 6

LaTonya Johnson (D)

District 7

Chris Larson (D)

District 8

Jodi Sinykin (D)

District 9

Devin LeMahieu (R)

District 10

Rob Stafsholt (R)

District 11

Stephen Nass (R)

District 12

Mary Felzkowski (R)

District 13

John Jagler (R)

District 14

Sarah Keyeski (D)

District 15

Mark Spreitzer (D)

District 16

Melissa Ratcliff (D)

District 17

Howard Marklein (R)

District 18

Kristin Alfheim (D)

District 19

Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)

District 20

Dan Feyen (R)

District 21

Van Wanggaard (R)

District 22

Robert Wirch (D)

District 23

Jesse James (R)

District 24

Patrick Testin (R)

District 25

Romaine Quinn (R)

District 26

Kelda Roys (D)

District 27

Dianne Hesselbein (D)

District 28

Julian Bradley (R)

District 29

Cory Tomczyk (R)

District 30

Jamie Wall (D)

District 31

Jeff Smith (D)

District 32

Brad Pfaff (D)

District 33

Chris Kapenga (R)

Republican Party (18)

Democratic Party (15)