Republican Dean Kaufert is running for Wisconsin State Assembly District 53. Kaufert is the former mayor of Neenah and previously represented Assembly District 55 from 1990 until 2015. During that time, Kaufert introduced AB 195, which would have given parents who decided to send their child to private school a tax credit. The bill could have cost the state around $140 million a year.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, “State Representative Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) says the parents of children in private school don’t get to take advantage of the money that goes to public education. So, the Neenah Republican is co-sponsoring legislation that offers a $1,500 tax credit for students in elementary school and $2,500 for those in high school…Kaufert admits the legislation does not come cheap. When fully implemented after about ten years, it’s estimated the tax credits would cost the state about $140 million a year.” 

Facing Kaufert in the November election is Democrat Duane Shukoski. Shukoski lists education as one of his top priorities on his website, explaining, “[h]aving experienced the public education system firsthand as a student, parent, and grandparent, he understands the importance of well-funded schools and the critical role educators play in student success.“ Shukoski says that he is “deeply committed to ensuring our public education system remains strong and well-supported” and that he “supports policies that uphold the quality of education and the well-being of those dedicated to teaching our children.”

Shukoski has been endorsed by the Wisconsin Education Association Council.