New London candidate running as Democrat
By Robert Cloud
Deb Silvers of New London is challenging state Rep. Kevin Petersen for the 40th District Assembly seat.
“I truly believe in investing in our future through responsible legislation,” Silvers said. “I feel reform is needed in the Wisconsin legislature to ensure the voters of Waupaca and Waushara counties are represented.”
A graduate of Sun Prairie High School and Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, Silvers and her husband, Barry Juneau, have lived in New London for 15 years.
She is a member of the state and county Democratic Party, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, 4-H Foundation and Friends of the New London Public Museum and is a past president of the New London Women’s Club.
When Silvers was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia in 2012, she transformed her disease into a mission.
She became an advocate with the FH Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to research, advocacy and education.
As an advocate, Silvers has lobbied in Washington and Madison.
She has also become a WomenHeart Champion, which trains its members to educate others about women’s heart health issues and organizes peer-led support networks.
“Health care is a very important part of my platform,” Silvers said.
Silvers also takes pride in her Wisconsin pioneer heritage.
She said she is a descendant of Cadwallader Washburn, Wisconsin’s 11th governor, a Union general during the Civil War, a representative in Congress and founder of General Mills.
Her husband is a descendant of Solomon Juneau, a fur trader, land agent and politician who helped found Milwaukee.
“We both have ancestors with counties named after them,” Silvers said.
Public health
Noting COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin rose after the state Supreme Court overturned Gov. Tony Evers’ emergency health order, Silvers said the legislators who opposed the order did not have a plan of their own.
She described the lack of legislation regarding the pandemic as “irresponsible.”
“You can’t open up the economy when you have a pandemic,” Silvers said.
She praised local school district administrators for trying to balance safety with families’ need to return to work and children’s need to socialize.
Silvers said she supports Evers’ statewide mask mandate.
“Asking folks to wear a mask during a pandemic is a smart decision for the health and safety of all community members,” Silvers said.
Silvers supports expanding BadgerCare to reduce the inequalities of health coverage.
Economic recovery
Silvers said Wisconsin needs an economic recovery act that helps create jobs and build infrastructure.
“Let’s make the turn-around work for us,” Silvers said. “We should create jobs that move us toward clean energy, clean air and clean water.”
She supports legislation that provides training, reduces inequalities in education and infrastructure and raises incomes.
“People can’t live on minimum wage,” Silvers said. “They can’t provide for their families.”