KENOSHA, Wis (WRJN) – Former K.U.S.D School Board Member and local community organizer Kyle Flood, former Kenosha Police officer Brian Gonzales, and longtime local businessman and educator Ben DeSmidt have announced their candidacies for the Wisconsin State Assembly District 65 seat. Flood and DeSmidt as Democrats, Gonzales, a Republican.
Flood’s Candidacy
Kyle Flood claims to be the youngest person ever elected to office in Kenosha County. His announcement said that he’s been an effective leader advocating for progress in the community for over a decade. “As a former Kenosha Unified School Board Member he championed policies to strengthen the student voice, lowered class sizes amid state funding cuts and created more transparency within the district.” Flood says he was influential in securing body cameras for the Kenosha Sheriff’s Department.
Gonzales’ Candidacy
Brian Gonzales, a former Kenosha Police officer, ran to be Kenosha County Sheriff in 2022. He was involved in the Michael Bell shooting in 2004 and wrote a book about the experience. In his campaign statement, Gonzlaes says he’s running for public office to help secure a safer and more stable future for the people of Kenosha and Wisconsin. Gonzales says he aims to strengthen public safety laws, expressing concern about the rising crime rates in neighboring Milwaukee and Chicago.
DeSmidt’s Candidacy
Ben DeSmidt has been endorsed by retiring State Rep. Tod Ohnstad. He has been a trustee of Gateway Technical College since 2022 and owns the Union Park Tavern and Pavle’s Lounge in Kenosha. He has a background in education, working as an Associate Professor at Carthage College for 15 years.
The 65th Assembly District includes part of the city of Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie in Kenosha County.
More Articles
Largest redevelopment project in La Crosse will transform a former industrial area into 800 homes
5/6/2024 | Teri Barr
Redevelopment of industrial site will help address critical housing needs in the area, La Crosse also earns a “Best Place to Live” honor A new, mixed-use housing development in La Crosse is getting attention from around the state. The River Point District will be the largest urban redevelopment effort with more than 800 housing units […]
Solar Panel Array on McMillan Memorial Library Roof May Be Removed
5/6/2024 | Melissa Kaye
Donations have been made to the library for the solar panel array. The Library Board has been fighting with Viking Electric in court.
Mount Horeb shooting: ‘People in every community need to be mindful of the warning signs’
5/6/2024 | Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch
Eight of the 10 deadliest U.S. school shootings since 1966 happened in communities with a population of less than 50,000.
From Grain to Green Energy: The Evolution of Wind Power in Wisconsin
5/6/2024 | Teri Barr
Wisconsin’s long history of using wind power has evolved from milling grain to producing green energy. And the day to celebrate it is May 11. The evolution of wind power in Wisconsin is historic. It includes milling grain and pumping water to producing green energy. Windmills dotted the state’s landscape when farmers first used it […]
Eau Claire County Launches Opioid Data Dashboard
5/6/2024
The Eau Claire City-County Health Department has announced the launch of their comprehensive opioid data dashboard.