August 7, 2026 – West Bend, WI – As a candidate for the 58th Assembly district, I’ve spent the last few months knocking doors. No matter which neighborhood I visit, one concern comes up again and again: affordability.
Families are feeling squeezed. Grocery bills are higher than they’ve ever been. Filling up the gas tank costs more. Utility bills continue to climb. People are working hard, doing everything they can to provide for their families, yet many feel like they’re falling further behind.
At a time like this, government should be looking for ways to support the people it serves, not searching for new taxes, fees, and ways to make everyday life even more expensive.
I understand local governments are facing real budget challenges. Inflation has affected them just as it has affected families. But just as every household has to make difficult choices, government must do the same. There has to be a balance, and priorities need to be set so taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and responsibly.
When my wife and I were a young married couple, we were blessed with twins. Supporting a growing family on a landscaper’s salary meant we learned very quickly how to manage a budget. We had to separate needs from wants and make sure the money going out never exceeded the money coming in. There wasn’t room for waste, and every dollar mattered.
Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life.
If elected to represent the people of the 58th Assembly District, I will bring that same common-sense approach to Madison. Tax dollars don’t belong to politicians. They belong to the hardworking people who earned them. My job will be to protect those dollars, spend them responsibly, and always remember who I’m working for.
I ask for your vote on August 11.
Bernie Newman
Candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly, 58th District
West Bend, WI 53095
WCI COMMENTING RULES OF ETIQUETTE:
While open and honest debate is encouraged here, Washington County Insider asks that you comply with the following rules for posting. Those who do not comply will have their posts removed which may result in being banned from commenting.
Washington County Insider will not publish comments that:
Are considered likely to provoke, attack, or offend others. This is known as “trolling.” Trollers know when they are trolling, and so do we. *See definition of “troll” below. If you notice a few consistent blog trolls disappear, you’ll know why.
Are sexually explicit, abusive, or otherwise objectionable.
Contains inappropriate or vulgar language that is likely to offend.
Break the law or condone or encourage unlawful activity. This includes breach of copyright, defamation, and contempt of court.
Advertise products or services for profit.
Are seen to impersonate someone else.
Repeatedly post the same or similar messages (‘spam’)
Include personal contact details such as telephone numbers and postal or email addresses.
Include a link or photo that has not been approved by the editor prior to posting.
Are considered campaigning. See also “trolling” above.
Are unrelated to the topic.
NOTES:
Just because your comment doesn’t show up right away doesn’t mean you’re being censored. When you post a comment, it must first go through our filtering software. If it fails, your comment goes into a queue for manual approval.
Just because a comment or advertisement is on the site, doesn’t mean WCI endorses it.
The above rules are not intended to stop criticism or dissenters, but rather to stop those who are incapable of participating in a civilized manner.
*Trolling: a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory,[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[2] or of otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussion,[3] often for the troll’s amusement. (source: Wikipedia)
All letters must include a US Postal address and direct cell/phone number for record keeping.
Letters to the editor should focus on the candidate you support and less on slighting the opponent.
All letters to the editor for the Primary on August 11, 2026 are due July 28, 2026. All letters to the editor for the November 2026 General Election must be submitted by the end of business October 19, 2026.
Letters to the editor require a US Postal address and direct cell phone number for record-keeping purposes only. Respectfully, letters to the editor must be from taxpayers and residents living in Washington County, Wisconsin.