On today’s show, longtime host Carousel Bayrd comes out of retirement to interview the three candidates for Wisconsin Senate District 16. The seat is currently held by Melissa Agard who is running for Dane County Executive. 

Because of Wisconsin’s new legislative maps, District 16 now looks a little different and represents a diverse group of rural and urban communities. It includes Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, parts of North Madison, Fitchburg, Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Stoughton, and even parts of Dodge and Jefferson Counties. 

Representative Melissa Ratcliff says that protecting abortion access is her top priority. As a candidate she also promises to support education, take care of teachers, fight for the environment and prevent gun violence. Rep. Ratcliff is currently serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly. 

Representative Samba Baldeh also serves on the Wisconsin State Assembly and before that served for six years on the Madison Common Council. He says that supporting immigrants, creating quality child care programs, and taking care of students and the elderly are top priorities. For Baldeh, access to broadband and clean water are issues that unite cities and rural communities. 

Representative Jimmy Anderson is a longtime advocate for disabled folks in Wisconsin. He also advocates for healthcare, environmental causes (from PFAS to flooding), and education. Anderson has served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for eight years. 

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