PBS Wisconsin Public Affairs

Hi, I'm Amy Loudenbeck, Republican candidate for secretary of state. I've spent the last 12 years serving in the state legislature with a record of results and solving complex policy issues. I spent eight years on the budget committee, and I've had over 50 bills signed into law, bills that were signed into law by Governor Evers and Governor Walker. Bipartisan efforts that dealt with complex policy issues facing our state, and I have a lot to be proud of. And it's time for someone else to have that opportunity. In contrast, my opponent has been serving in this office for 40 years, with nothing to show for it except his name on the door of an empty office in the basement that is frequently locked and not accessible to the public. And that's unacceptable. We need someone in Wisconsin who will earn the paycheck and do the duties of secretary of state and provide real value. Someone who will restore purpose and respect to this constitutional office that is directly accountable to the voters. Let's talk about my ideas.

Number one

Let's modernize the duties provided by the secretary of state. Provide transparency, provide electronic access to services, and allow customers to track their requests so they know when their authentications are going to be ready and they can plan for their international travel or their court cases because right now, we have issues where humanitarian aid is stuck at sea and no one can find the secretary of state to get their documents signed. Again, we need someone who's going to do the job and someone who's going to modernize the platform for providing the services so that they are more responsive to the public.

Number two

The secretary of state serves on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. It's a small, three-person board that oversees over $1.5 billion in assets and 77,000 acres of public land. I want to be a billion-dollar board member for the people. I want to make sure those assets are protected for years to come for the benefit of all Wisconsinites. Finally, I'd like to work with the legislature and the governor to look at what kind of ministerial duties other secretaries of state provide across the country. Things like election oversight and administration. That could include maintaining the voter rolls, or assisting with outreach and training. These are duties that secretaries of state do all across the country, and Wisconsin does not. Let's take a look at what other states do and how this office can add value and integrity to election administration in Wisconsin. Other duties, ministerial in nature again, such as corporate registrations or filing of deeds. These are tasks that the secretary of state could provide if it made sense for the people of Wisconsin to place them there, instead of in executive branch agencies or in the hands of appointed people. These are some of my ideas, and I look forward to working with my colleauges in the legislature on both sides of the aisle and those newly elected, and our governor's administration. On talking about how we can add real value to this office that has been neglected for too long. On day one, I want to open the door to the office. I want to send a message that I will have an open door and an open mind so this office can provide real value to the people of Wisconsin. And I don't expect anyone to hand me the keys to the kingdom on day one. I do expect someone to hand me the keys to that office in the basement so I can open the door.