Janesville Republican Bryan Steil is running to succeed Speaker Paul Ryan in Wisconsin’s first congressional district.

JANESVILLE, WI — Bryan Steil is a 37-year-old Republican from Janesville who is seeking to succeed fellow Republican Paul Ryan for the right to serve in Wisconsin’s First Congressional District.

Wisconsin Patch reached out to he and his opponent, 53-year-old to Caledonia Democrat Randy Bryce, to hear the five things they would mean to the area’s middle-class population if they were elected. The two candidates will be on the ballot in select communities in southeastern Wisconsin during the Tues. Nov. 6, 2018 general election.

We asked both candidates to formulate their positions and responses in two paragraphs on the following five topics:

1) Access to post-secondary education
2) Tax Relief
3) Area Employment
4) Public Safety
5) National Vibe

We are defining the area’s middle class along the following lines:

Population: 25 years of age and older.
Education: A high-school diploma in addition to at least some college and/or tech school education.
Income: A median household income of $41,178.

Here are Steil’s answers in his own words:

1) Access to post-secondary education

I am proud of my background serving on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents which oversees the university system. I was unanimously confirmed by Democrats and Republicans in the Wisconsin State Senate. I worked with people appointed by both Gov. Walker and Gov. Doyle, and instead of focusing on who
gets credit, I focused on results. When we did that, we were able to keep tuition frozen to keep education affordable. I will take this approach to Washington.

In Congress, I’ll fight for affordable, effective education to prepare workers for the jobs of the future. Workers in Southeast Wisconsin deserve the opportunity for an education that’s accessible and at a price they can afford. These are common sense solutions that will make post-secondary education more affordable and accessible.

2) Tax Relief

In Congress, I’ll always fight to keep taxes low so more money stays in the pockets of Wisconsin families. The recent tax cuts are returning $2,500 to the average Wisconsin family of four. These are real savings for Wisconsin families that they can use for a family vacation, to update a large appliance, or a down payment on a car. I’ll fight to make these tax cuts permanent, so families can continue to keep more of their hard-earned money.

My opponent called the tax cuts a “scam” and his backers in Washington, D.C., like Nancy Pelosi called it “crumbs.” My opponent also supports a $32 trillion government-run healthcare plan that is so expensive, they’d have to double income taxes on every individual and business in the country to pay for it.

3) Area employment

I’m running for Congress because Washington needs more problem solvers. Working in manufacturing, I know there are no political parties on the shop floor. As a leader and a problem solver, my job is to bring together diverse groups of individuals and focus on tackling the task at hand. That’s the background and
experience I’ll take to Washington. In Congress, I will fight for legislation that creates high-wage Wisconsin jobs and I will always stand up for American workers. We need to cut government red tape and unleash Wisconsin’s economy.

We also need to prepare workers for the jobs of the future. I will use my experience serving on the UW Board of Regents, where I voted to keep tuition frozen, to support quality education in our high schools and effective, affordable technical schools and universities.

4) Public Safety

I am proud to have the endorsement of all six sheriffs in the First Congressional District, both Democrats and Republicans. The contrast between my opponent and I could not be clearer. I stand with the men and women in law enforcement, but my opponent compared law enforcement to – in his words, not mine – “terrorists.” I back the badge and I’m proud to say that the badge backs me.

In Congress, I will prioritize community safety so that our law enforcement agencies get the resources and training they need to be effective. I’ll work with local law enforcement to address the opioid epidemic in a multifaceted approach, including prevention, enforcement, treatment, and recovery.

5) National Vibe

In manufacturing, there are no political parties on the shop floor. As a leader and a problem solver, my job is to bring together diverse groups of individuals and focus on tackling the task at hand and getting results. That’s the background and experience I’ll take to Washington.

In Congress, I’ll work to find Wisconsin Style Solutions and cut through the Washington politics and gridlock. I’ll work to create good-paying jobs, grow wages, and prepare workers for the jobs that are available. I’ll work to lower healthcare costs by putting patients and doctors in control, not the government. I’ll protect Social Security and Medicare to keep our promises to seniors. These programs provide for the most vulnerable citizens and allow seniors to have a safe retirement.

Read the article at Patch.com.