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St. Croix County, WI – St. Croix County Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner will run as a Democrat for Wisconsin’s 10th Senate District. The seat is vacant following the resignation of Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, who left to join Gov. Walker’s cabinet. The senate seat will be filled in a special election on January 16, 2018.
“I’m running to fight for Western Wisconsin families. Whether it’s roads, schools or jobs, Madison politicians take money away from us and give it to Milwaukee. And we’re wrestling with a historic mental health and addiction epidemic here at home that’s largely ignored by Madison politicians,” said Patty. “That’s why I say that it’s time for the kind of change that puts Western Wisconsin first.”
As county medical examiner, Patty brought together local district attorneys, sheriffs, and school districts to launch a county-wide collaboration focused on suicide prevention and fighting Western Wisconsin’s opioid epidemic.
As our new State Senator, her mission will be to confront the Milwaukee-area-first school funding that gives rich suburban districts so much but leaves our community behind. She’ll make sure Western Wisconsin receives its fair share of investments in jobs and health care. Patty will also advocate for a robust response to addiction in Western Wisconsin that includes treatment for alcohol and opioid addiction and mental health support.
“I won’t ask whether an idea is Democratic or Republican, just whether it’s a good idea for Western Wisconsin. I’ll fight for every Western Wisconsin family,” concluded Schachtner.
About Patty Schachtner
Raised on a St. Croix County farm, Patty Schachtner is a lifelong Western Wisconsin resident, a former EMT and supervisor for the Star Prairie township and is currently the St. Croix County Medical Examiner and a Somerset School Board member. Patty is also a biker, a former member of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters’ Association, and a gun safety advocate. She and her family have enjoyed hunting in Wisconsin for generations. She’s an active community volunteer; among other positions, she’s a on the board of her local Food Pantry and a member of the board of directors for “Turning Point Wisconsin,” a center for victims of sexual and domestic violence.
Patty and her husband of almost 39 years, Joe, have six grown children and nine grandchildren. She was featured in a 2006 episode of ABC’s series “Wife Swap,” that was described as “A woman who runs a Miami modeling agency and spoils her two daughters changes places with a bear-hunting, ice-fishing mother of six from Wisconsin.”
