Who is Andi Rich, the challenger running for Wisconsin's 12th Senate District seat?

Incumbent Republican Mary Felzkowski will face challenger Democrat Andi Rich in the Nov. 5 general election for Wisconsin's 12th Senate District.

The 12th Senate District covers the northeastern corner of the state and consists of all or part of nine of the state's 72 counties including Lincoln and Marathon counties. Major changes to the district since 2023 redistricting include the addition of the remainder of Marinette County, including the city of Marinette, and a bit more of Marathon County and the loss of Menominee County.

Wisconsin State senators serve four-year terms. Felzkowski has served one term in the seat since 2021.

To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit the My Vote Wisconsin website.

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the district and why they are running for the position. Felzkowski did not respond to multiple attempts by a reporter to reach her through email or by phone. A reporter also contacted local party officials to reach Felzkowski without success.

Andi Rich

Residence: Marinette

Age: 42

Occupation and education: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) licensed international insurance adjuster specializing in large commercial loss and residential condominium building association policies. Graduated magna cum laude from Lakeland College of Sheboygan, with a double major in business administration and marketing.

Relevant experience: Managed Hammer Construction, specializing in storm damage repairs for residential and commercial properties in accordance with insurance policy provisions. Transitioned to insurance adjusting, developing expertise in interpreting complex legal documents and policy coverage − skills directly applicable to understanding and analyzing legislative proposals. Nine years of water advocacy, gaining deep insight into the legislature's role in addressing statewide environmental issues and governmental funding structures. This combined background in business management, legal document interpretation and environmental advocacy provides a unique perspective on balancing economic needs with environmental protection, which is critical for effective policy making in Wisconsin's Senate District 12.

Campaign website/Facebook page: www.andirich.com and Andi Rich for Wisconsin Senate D12 on Facebook

Why are you running for office?

Rich: I'm running for office because our Northwoods communities deserve a strong voice in Madison. As a longtime resident and clean water advocate, I've seen firsthand how decisions made at the state level impact our daily lives. I believe in putting people over politics and finding pragmatic solutions to the challenges we face. From protecting our natural resources to supporting our local economies, I'm committed to fighting for policies that will benefit all residents of Senate District 12.

What makes you the better candidate in this race?

Rich: My deep roots in the Northwoods and my experience as a community advocate make me the better candidate. I understand the unique challenges and opportunities our district faces. Unlike my opponent, I'm not beholden to special interests or party lines. I'm committed to listening to all constituents and finding common-ground solutions. My background in environmental protection, combined with my experience as a small business owner, gives me a balanced perspective on how to protect our natural resources while supporting economic growth.

What is the most pressing issue facing Wisconsin, and how would you address it?

Rich: The most pressing issue facing Wisconsin is the need for clean, safe drinking water. PFAS contamination and other pollutants threaten our health, economy, and our way of life. I would address this by pushing for stronger environmental regulations, increased funding for water testing and cleanup efforts, and holding polluters accountable. I'd also work to implement long-term solutions, such as investing in green infrastructure and supporting sustainable farming practices. Protecting our water isn't just an environmental issue—it's crucial for our health, economy and future.

What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?

Rich: Residents are consistently raising concerns about affordable health care, quality education and economic opportunities. To address these, I'd work to expand BadgerCare, increase state funding for our public schools and invest in workforce development programs. Many are also worried about the impact of climate change on our natural resources and tourism industry. I'd push for policies that protect our environment while creating green jobs. Additionally, the lack of affordable child care is a major concern. I'd support increased funding for child care subsidies and programs to attract and retain child care workers.

Residents of central Wisconsin are seeing increasing costs in necessary and everyday expenses such as housing, child care, groceries, health care and transportation. If elected, what will you do to help residents who are struggling to make ends meet?

Rich: If elected, I'll focus on policies that directly address the rising cost of living. I'll push for increased funding for affordable housing initiatives and work to expand child care subsidies through programs like Wisconsin Shares. I'll support measures to lower health care costs, including capping insulin prices and expanding BadgerCare. For transportation, I'll advocate for increased public transit options and infrastructure improvements. I'll also fight for a gradual increase in the minimum wage and support job training programs to help workers secure higher-paying positions. These efforts will help ease the financial burden on struggling families.

As costs have increased for individuals, so have the costs for our local units of government. Our local schools and technical colleges, municipalities and counties are limited in how much local tax levies can be raised. These limits were set decades ago and adjustments to them are rare and inadequate for matching increases in cost of living and inflation. If elected, what would you do at the state level to reduce the burden on local residents who have to consider levy limit referendums for school districts, public safety workers or large transportation projects so frequently in elections?

Rich: If elected, I'll work to reform our outdated levy limit system. I'll push for legislation that allows for regular, inflation-adjusted increases to levy limits, reducing the need for frequent referendums. I'll also advocate for increased state funding to local governments and school districts, easing the burden on local taxpayers. Additionally, I'll support measures to diversify local revenue sources and provide more flexibility in how local governments can raise and allocate funds. By addressing these issues at the state level, we can ensure our communities have the resources they need without constantly turning to residents for additional funding.

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com.