Ron Kind

Name: Ron Kind

Party: Democrat

Hometown: La Crosse

Age: 49

Family: Wife Tawni; two sons Johnny and Matt

Education: Harvard College, London School of Economics, Minnesota Law School

Professional background: Member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997; interned with Senator William Proxmire while attending Harvard University; elected to Congress in 1996; former La Crosse County prosecutor; special prosecutor throughout western Wisconsin

What are the most important issues in your race, and how do you plan to address them?

Getting our economy back on track, creating good paying jobs is my No. 1 priority. We can do that by fostering an environment where small businesses can succeed and provide opportunities to grow a secure middle class.

We must also develop a long-term strategy to get our spending under control. Cutting spending in health care and defense and reforming both the tax code and outdated farm subsidies is a good start.

We must combat rising health-care costs and work to ensure that every American has access to affordable health care. We can do that by continuing to implement the Affordable Care Act and make changes as necessary along the way.

To accomplish anything, we have to put partisanship aside, come together, find the common ground that I know exists, and make the tough decisions to get our economy moving again. It’s not going to be easy but our future depends on it.

How is your experience in the public and private sectors a plus for the job?

I have been an effective and independent voice for the people of western Wisconsin. In fact, in a recent study, I was ranked the fifth most independent voting member of Congress.

I think that shows that I’ve been trying to find solutions to the challenges we face whether they are Democratic or Republican or Independent ideas. I’ve always believed in working with my colleagues across the aisle. In this gridlock, we’re going to stop playing politics and work together to get our economy moving again.

I’m also not afraid to stand up to political leadership if I think something doesn’t work for the people of western Wisconsin. That’s what the people expect from me and that’s what I’ve been delivering. I’m not going to rest until we get the economy creating the good paying jobs Americans need right now.

Tags: election, politics, government, wisconsin