Joan Fitzgerald breaks down campaign for Wisconsin's 46th Assembly District

Joan Fitzgerald has always been passionate about serving the community. As a former teacher and county board member, she said she loved the ability to represent people and make a difference.

“I really enjoyed the work on the county board,” Fitzgerald said. “All of it was just fascinating, and I loved the difference you could make in the county.”

Joan Fitzgerald is running as a Democrat to represent the 46th district in Wisconsin in the Assembly. This district includes the cities of Fort Atkinson, Lake Mills and Waterloo, plus the villages of Cambridge, Deerfield and Rockdale, and part of Cottage Grove and McFarland.

Fitzgerald was a teacher in Wisconsin for 33 years. She had always wanted to run for board but didn’t think there would be an opportunity. However, after retirement she ran for Jefferson county board twice and loved it.

“What I learned on the county board is listening to voters, focusing on what we have in common, what are our shared values, and moving the county forward, moving the state forward in that way,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald is optimistic that the new maps in Wisconsin will help make the Assembly a more representative and responsive government. She intends to focus on collaboration and use the skills she built on the county board and as a teacher to talk to people from different backgrounds and get things done.

“I’m a very common sense person,” Fitzgerald said.” I want to do what’s best for the people of Wisconsin. And I’m willing to really get to work.”

Fitzgerald said there are a few issues she would prioritize if she were elected to the Assembly. As a former teacher, she would emphasize public schools and especially advocate for support for teachers and students in rural schools. She also would like to do more for gun violence prevention and women’s rights, specifically making efforts to keep abortion safe and legal.

Since starting her campaign, Fitzgerald has been focusing on knocking doors and chatting with residents about what they want to see in the Assembly. She said people have been very responsive and it has led to great conversations.

Fitzgerald will be facing Republican candidate Jenifer Quimby. Because each candidate is running unopposed in their party, there will be no primary election for the seat on August 13. Instead, this race will go straight to election day on November 5.