Frederica Freyberg:
Statewide recognition also belongs to Zac’s next candidate interview. Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes.

Zac Schultz:
Missy Hughes, thanks so much for joining us.

Missy Hughes:
Good to see you.

Zac Schultz:
So for voters who don’t know you, introduce yourself and tell us why you’re running for governor.

Missy Hughes:
Yeah. So I’m a mother of three. I’ve lived in Wisconsin since almost 2000, and we raised our family here. My husband and I working for Organic Valley, and I worked for Organic Valley for 17 years. And then Governor Evers asked if I was interested in running economic development for the state. So for the last six years, I was the head of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Zac Schultz:
Is there a single issue that drives you, or perhaps a lane within the party that helps define you?

Missy Hughes:
You know, it’s all about the economy and building a strong economy for all Wisconsinites. That’s what I did for years working at Organic Valley, helping farmers stay on their farms, and then at WEDC building an economy, whether it was in Milwaukee or Antigo or Superior all around the state, working with communities and businesses so that everyday Wisconsinites can succeed.

Zac Schultz:
How money much do you think you need to raise in order to win this primary?

Missy Hughes:
Oh, you know, the money factor in politics is really interesting and I have an incredible network. I think that the race is going to be anywhere between $2 or $3 million for the primary. But, you know, I’m just guessing. I’m not sure that I have the best answer for that. I can tell you that heading into the general, which is what I’m focused on, it is going to be an incredible race. All eyes of the nation are going to be on Wisconsin.

Zac Schultz:
For you personally, how do you define the difference between negative campaigning against a member of your own party versus just defining the differences between two candidates?

Missy Hughes:
You know, I’m excited that Wisconsin has a lot of choices for the Democratic primary, and my goal is to make sure that Wisconsinites know my story. I have a story that is fresh and different. I’ve never run for office before. I’m the only one who is from outside of Madison or Milwaukee, so I have a lot to say about myself, and I’m going to be focused on telling my story.

Zac Schultz:
For primary voters who are tuning in right now, should they be looking for the candidate where they align most closely on the issues, or should they be thinking about electability?

Missy Hughes:
You know, as a Wisconsinite, I want to make sure that we keep the governor’s seat blue and that we have someone who can lead the state and be successful in building an economy for the state. And that’s why just as a citizen of Wisconsin, I’m focused on electability and making sure that we get the right candidate winning in November.

Zac Schultz:
For this Democratic primary, most of the candidates have connections to Madison or Milwaukee, southeast Wisconsin, or even your position ties you to Madison. What’s your goal to reach the rest of the state and let people know that you can connect with those other areas?

Missy Hughes:
Yeah, well first and foremost, I live in western Wisconsin, so I am from outside of Madison and Milwaukee. I have worked all around the state. We’ve had impact in all 72 counties. So, you know, whether it’s a small business in Washburn that we’ve supported or Milwaukee Tool or Fiserv in downtown Milwaukee, we’ve had impact all around the state. And so I can speak to creating a statewide coalition that carries the day next November.

Zac Schultz:
What will be the impact of Donald Trump on this election?

Missy Hughes:
You know, I think what we’re really seeing is just a devastation in the economy. As I’m talking to businesses, they are pulling back. They’re not rehiring people. They’re stopping investments. And as I’m talking to everyday Wisconsinites, they are struggling to make ends meet. This is all because of Donald Trump’s policies. This is a man-made crisis that we are in right now. You know, looking at what’s happening with the farmers out in western Wisconsin, we saw farmers plowing under soybeans, which is insanity. And now Donald Trump is offering a bailout to try to make up for his failed policies. And again, this man-made crisis that he has created.

Zac Schultz:
All right, Missy Hughes, thanks for your time.

Missy Hughes:
Thank you.