Faces of the District

With each person I met, each new culture I learned about and every new community I was immersed in, I couldn’t ignore the many stories of people’s lives that were not given the same, equal opportunity that I was afforded. Just because something worked for me in this country does not mean it works for everyone. I do my best to listen to all voices, especially those that are often silenced or ignored.

Robyn represents my values as a mental health professional working in public schools and a mom. The issues that mean the most to me are mental health, education and gun control. Robyn cares about these things and is willing to listen and learn from her constituents to make informed decisions. Robyn is an example for my daughter of a strong woman who fights for what is right while still listening to other people and caring about their opinions. I am proud to know Robyn and have someone so compassionate represent us.

Climate change is a real issue, and there are so many changes we could be making right now that would make our lives more livable. Years ago, I met my husband when we were both canvassers for the Sierra Club. At that time, it didn’t seem like the issue of the climate caused such partisan division; it seemed like an issue we could really make progress on. Times have changed and Trump has rolled back many of the Green Power initiatives that the Obama administration put into place. What type of world are we building, and what type of world will we leave behind?

Nearly a decade ago Robyn started her sex trafficking work and volunteered her photography storefront to serve as a safe haven for girls who were victims. We don’t like to think of our district as a place things like that can happen; but Robyn looked and saw what others didn’t.

We live in a community with so many smart, strong, motivated women, and Robyn is a shining example of that. Among her many values that I align myself with, I know that Robyn is looking out for women, our rights, our voices, and our ideas. I love the fact that Robyn had a full career before she made this transition, and that’s something that I want my children to know and take value in and be inspired by.

As we reflect on the values that guide how we vote, we are reminded of how important it is to have access to affordable healthcare. As a child, I (Julie) was diagnosed with asthma and many allergies that sometimes led to anaphylactic reactions and ultimately many ER visits. When I graduated college and was no longer covered by my parents’ health plan, they made sure I understood that I could never have any period of time where I was uninsured. If I did, it was likely that my pre-existing conditions would make it difficult, if not impossible to find coverage.

Bob Robyn Vining is one of the most fundamentally decent and kind people I have ever met.  I was fortunate enough to get to know her a little during her first campaign, and over the last two years I've seen again and again how hard she has thrown herself into this...

I have always believed that what makes us great is also our biggest challenge. We are a great diverse country of unique individuals and independent thinkers. As unique individuals and independent thinkers we are challenged to remain respectful and united as a Nation in order to protect the rights, visions and dreams of ALL people. We need to elect public officials, like Robyn, who commit themselves to solving people issues not party issues.

In recent years, we have witnessed the ugliness of hate instilled largely by fear and deep seated biases. So when I read Robyn’s campaign signs that state, “Love Wins,” I have to believe that we’re all capable of doing and becoming better because I know Robyn is fighting for all of us to be our best. Whether it’s her work in establishing fair maps, fighting sex trafficking, working fairly on bi-partisan issues like healthcare, education, common sense gun control, or small business viability, I know she will put her community first because she is present and committed. This community has incredible potential and some great attributes, but it still needs healing and people coming together to combat hate and allow Love to Win together.

My husband and I have three young boys. As parents, we have an awesome responsibility to set a positive example, teach them values, and help mold them into decent human beings who care about others and the word they live in. Our goal is to raise our boys to be kind, respectful, decent, inquisitive, and full of positive character. And we know that they—like all children—are constantly watching us adults as examples and guidance for “how to be.”

With so much division in our country right now, we need leaders who will step up and give a voice to their constituents. That is what a representative is supposed to do. What I love and admire about Robyn is her work ethic. She does not stop. Every free moment is spent engaging with her constituents and trying to figure out how to best address their concerns and issues. She makes herself accessible and wants to hear from us.

The environment should not be a partisan issue; when we destroy our planet we are really killing ourselves. Throughout high school I’ve joined the Sierra Club, the Sunrise Movement, and the Youth Conservation Congress to bring awareness to the abysmal treatment of our planet and support progressive and democratic candidates who care about all of our futures and the prosperity of our planet.

I proudly voted for Robyn in 2018 and I will vote for her again in 2020. Representative Vining is a woman who values the voices of ALL her constituents. She is compassionate. She empathizes. She is responsive. And as a parent of teens, my family and I especially value that Representative Vining is invested in public education, protecting women and children, and enacting common sense gun reform.

Now, as a newly turned 18 year old and registered voter, I am extremely proud to say that I will be casting a vote for Robyn Vining as our 14th District State Assembly representative. When I think of the future of our state and the leadership it will require to move forward and improve as a community, I think of the commitment Representative Vining has shown to her constituents and her unwavering dedication to truly listen to those whom she represents. I cannot think of a more dependable, trustworthy, and sincere leader to represent the 14th district of Wisconsin.

Robyn has done a fantastic job in the Assembly for the past two years, and I see every day that she is a terrific person. Especially in this very difficult year, I am in awe of her empathy and her ability to run a relentlessly positive campaign. She really does care and really does work for us. We need Robyn in Madison for another two years, and I enthusiastically support her re-election.

It has been my absolute honor to work on this Faces of the 14th project. Because of the pandemic, things certainly look different during this campaign. Robyn’s volunteers are not knocking on doors; we are seeking other means of connecting safely with our District 14 neighbors. We are writing many, many postcards by hand and with love. And we are telling our stories. I have met some wonderful people through this project that I didn’t know before, and I have heard new stories from neighbors I have known for years. These are our stories, these are our people, this is what we think about when we go to the polls, when we fill out our ballots.

As Rep. Robyn’s spouse, I am proud to say this is all genuine. What you see with Robyn is not some carefully constructed political persona. Robyn genuinely cares. Her care for people is what drives her. There are easy ways to do politics – find big money special interest groups, party powerful, and expensive marketing teams and just follow their orders. Robyn rejects the easy path. Instead, Robyn takes the hard road, because she believes it is right and best for the people.

I no longer vote how my bubble expects me to, I vote for what breaks my heart based on stories I cannot ignore. By voting I hope to change those stories for the better, not only for the owners of those stories, but also for my own children. I want to be able to tell my children when they ask me about this time, that I did something. I want them to know that they can do hard things and change is not out of reach!

I support legislators like Robyn who see individuals with disabilities as valued members of the community and who ask, “What can I do to support you?”. I was encouraged when she authored a bill that would require universal changing stations in certain buildings which would make life easier for caregivers of adults who require this type of care. It may seem like a small thing but for caregivers it is huge!

It.Is.Time. It is time to put an end to gerrymandered districts that have resulted in inappropriately represented government in Wisconsin for 10 years. It is time to return to the progressive principles and foundation upon which this state was built and operated on for over 100 years, led by people such as Robert LaFollette, Gaylord Nelson and William Proxmire. It is time to elect people who represent and respond to ALL of their constituents, with empathy, passion and love. It is time to re-relect Robyn Vining to represent the 14th Assembly District.

A few years ago, our 6-year-old daughter brought home an assignment from school that asked students to finish this sentence: “I had $100, I would…” Our daughter had written, “I would give it to other people because I don’t need $100 dollars.” (I still have a photo of the assignment.). That’s the essence of why we vote the way we do: because we believe that everyone deserves to have what they need to succeed, and that we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves.