Phil Collins run for Wisconsin Assembly in the 88th District
Phil Collins, Thank you for the prior interviews.
1. Can you explain your motivation for running as a Republican party candidate for the Wisconsin Assembly in the 88th District? What inspired you to pursue a political career with this particular party?
I’m running as a Republican because, in this district, only a Republican or Democrat can win. I agree with all of the republican platform.
Phil Collins Campaign on Social Media
2. What specific goals or initiatives do you hope to achieve as a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, and how do they align with the values and principles of the Republican party?
I hope to cut the income tax rates. The state government has a surplus, so it can collect less, in taxes, for a few years, and have enough money. I want to propose a bill that would require voters to prove U.S. citizenship, when they register to vote. Both of those issues agree with principles of the republican party.
3. Could you provide a brief overview of the responsibilities and duties of a Wisconsin Assembly member? How do you plan to navigate these responsibilities if elected?
The members are in session about three months, each year, when they attend committee meetings and vote, on bills, on the floor. The majority of them work in their district offices, during other months, so they can talk to the district’s voters. If I win, I’ll ensure that I’ll use facebook and twitter to give updates and how I vote. I’ll ensure that I’ll reply to emails, facebook messages, and letters so that I can answer questions, quickly.
4. How have you engaged with and gotten to know the community in the 88th District? Can you share some examples of your efforts to connect with local residents and understand their concerns?
In 2022, I was a paid employee of Senator Ron Johnson’s campaign. I went to homes and surveyed voters. Many of those voters are in my assembly district, and I remembered where other conservatives live. In 2023, I ran for the De Pere city council. To get on the ballot, I had to get signatures. Those two campaigns caused me to talk to voters and hear issues that are important to them.
5. The Republican party often focuses on issues related to alcohol regulation and morality. How do you plan to address these issues in your campaign, and what specific policies do you advocate for in the context of Wisconsin's Assembly?
Wisconsin has a high percentage of binge drinkers and a lot of bars, per capita, according to some polls. The DWI laws are very strict, and, if I can vote on a bill that would change that, I’ll vote to keep those laws the way they are.
6. What strategies do you have in place to collaborate with other members of the Assembly, considering the diversity of political ideologies and parties within the legislative body? I know an aide to a republican legislator.
If I win, he’ll introduce me to some legislators who agree with me and a few who disagree with me.
7. In what ways do you plan to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing the 88th District, and how do your experiences and perspectives uniquely qualify you for this role?
I can’t think of any unique challenges and opportunities in my district.
8. How do you envision building bipartisan support for your proposed policies in a political landscape that may be polarized? What steps will you take to bridge the gap and find common ground with lawmakers from different parties?
I think I have election reform ideas that could get support from all parties. We should pass a bill that says each voter should prove U.S. citizenship, when he or she registers to vote. We need a law that would require each county and city clerk to check obituaries and remove dead people from the voter registration lists. I think almost all Americans agree that only people, who are eligible, should be able to vote, so I should be able to persuade legislators, of all parties, to agree.