Editor’s Note: The Ideas Lab asked the Democrat and Republican candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives to write 2,000-word essays on how they would address inflation, gun violence and health care if elected. Wisconsinites surveyed as part of the Main Street Agenda project said those are the top three issues they face heading into the Nov. 5 election.
As I’ve traveled around the 7th District, talking to folks from all walks of life, three issues come up consistently: reproductive rights, the cost of living, and healthcare access. These are real, everyday concerns that people are dealing with right now—and they’re only getting worse because of what’s happening, or rather, what’s not happening in Washington.
Washington is stuck in partisan gridlock, with politicians so wrapped up in political battles that they’ve forgotten who they’re supposed to serve: the people. For those of us in rural Wisconsin, this hits especially hard. Our small towns, farms, and local businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and it seems like no one in Washington is paying attention to the challenges we face.
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Take reproductive rights, for example. There’s been a wave of extreme policies across the country that limit access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion and even IVF treatments. These policies are not only out of touch — they’re dangerous. Families who want nothing more than to start a family are being told no, while women in life-threatening situations are being denied the care they need. How is that freedom? These deeply personal decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor, not by politicians.
Prices are up for everything stretching family budgets
Then there’s the cost of living, which is becoming unbearable for so many in our community. Prices are up for everything — groceries, gas, housing, and basic necessities. Even though inflation may have eased in some areas, it hasn’t translated into relief for most Wisconsinites. More than half of the people in our state wouldn’t be able to come up with $400 in an emergency. For too many families, one unexpected bill could spell disaster.
The tax cuts passed a few years back were supposed to help ease the burden on middle-class families, but the reality is that they mostly benefited the wealthy and big corporations. Those policies didn’t lower costs for rural families. They helped CEOs and big businesses get richer, while families in Wisconsin are left with stagnant wages and skyrocketing bills. It’s clear whose interests were prioritized, and it wasn’t ours.
We need policies that work for everyday people. That means capping prescription drug prices, increasing Social Security benefits, and passing meaningful legislation that actually lowers the cost of living. It means stopping corporate greed, which has driven prices up while executives take home record profits. And it means we need to rethink how we approach our economy—not from the top down, but by lifting up working families.
Social Security is another critical issue. For so many Wisconsinites, Social Security isn’t just a government program—it’s a lifeline. People have worked their whole lives, paying into the system with the promise that it will be there when they retire. The idea of raising the retirement age or cutting benefits is not just out of touch—it’s harmful. Seniors shouldn’t have to keep working into their 70s just to survive. We need to increase benefits so they can keep up with rising costs and retire with dignity.
Gun violence an issue impossible to ignore in America
Another topic that’s impossible to ignore is gun violence. It’s heartbreaking that firearms are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in America. No one should have to worry about their kids’ safety at school, or in their own neighborhood. We need to find a way to address this issue without infringing on the rights of responsible gun owners. Common-sense measures like universal background checks are a step in the right direction. We can protect our Second Amendment rights and ensure our communities are safer at the same time.
Gun violence isn’t just about mass shootings—it’s also about suicide. In Wisconsin, the majority of gun deaths are suicides, and that’s a tragedy we can do something about. Red Flag Laws, which allow family members or law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from someone who poses a risk to themselves or others, are a common-sense way to prevent these tragedies. These laws aren’t about taking guns away from responsible owners—they’re about saving lives.
Health care is a basic right harder to access in rural areas
Health care is another issue that keeps coming up, especially in rural areas. We’re seeing hospitals and clinics close, making it harder and harder for folks to get the care they need. People are being forced to drive hours just to see a doctor, and in some cases, they can’t afford to make the trip at all. This is especially concerning for our veterans, who deserve better after everything they’ve sacrificed for our country.
Health care is a basic right, and we need to make sure it’s affordable and accessible for everyone. That means capping prescription drug prices, increasing Medicare reimbursements so rural healthcare centers can stay open, and making sure no one is left behind. It also means ensuring our veterans get the care they need and deserve—something that hasn’t been happening nearly enough.
This election isn’t just about the same old political battles—it’s about real people and real issues that affect our daily lives. It’s about choosing whether we want leaders who will continue to play political games or leaders who will fight for the working families of Wisconsin.
We can have affordable healthcare, safer communities, and a more secure future for our seniors. But to do that, we need new leadership in Washington that’s focused on solutions, not partisan bickering. That’s why I’m running, and that’s why I’m asking for your vote this November. Together, we can build a better future for rural Wisconsin.
Kyle Kilbourn, a Democrat, is seeking election in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District.
Full text of essay questions for Wisconsin U.S. House candidates
Although the topline inflation rate has fallen (standing at 2.9% in July from its 9.1% peak in 2022), the bottom line is that Wisconsin families continue to feel the pinch of higher prices. One of the starkest findings from the WisconSays survey is that 53% of people in the state are not certain they can find $400 in an emergency. What specific legislation do you support to lower inflation and keep it from spiking again?
Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens In America. What would you propose to reverse this disturbing reality? As of September 6, there have been 30 mass killings in the U.S. this year. What legislation would you support to curb mass shootings? Death by suicide is a significant factor in gun violence. Firearms are the most common means of suicide. On average, for every 100 gun deaths in Wisconsin, 71 are suicides. Do you support red flag laws or similar measures that establish a process for judges to remove firearms from individuals with mental health conditions?
Last spring, two hospitals (in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls) and 19 clinics closed in western Wisconsin. The Marshfield Clinic Healthcare System instituted staff furloughs earlier this year. In the Milwaukee area, some providers are reducing services. Health care systems cite staffing difficulties, inadequate Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, higher costs and declining rates of patients with private insurance. How would you propose to tackle this problem? Health insurance premiums continue to rise at double-digit percentages. What can be done to make health care more affordable for Wisconsin families?
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