MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – An unorthodox candidate is vying to be the state’s next governor- Milwaukee Brewers beer vendor Ryan Strnad.
After an unsuccessful run for the Assembly as a Republican in 2000, Strnad switched parties. Now he is running for the state’s highest executive office as a Democrat.
The following is an edited transcript of the conversation between Strnad and Wisconsin State Capitol Bureau Chief Vanessa Kjeldsen. It has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Vanessa Kjeldsen: What do you do for a living?
Ryan Strnad: I have a full-time job, third shift… but what I’m known for is where I work at the Brewer stadium back in Milwaukee, and I have been an in-seat beer vendor there since the last century.
VK: Why do you want to be governor?
RS: I feel obligated to lead our state. I’m one to want to have a say in things. And I really think at age 54 and what I’ve done in the lobbying industry over at my brewer’s job of sticking up for the in-seat beer vendors, that I can really apply that to becoming an effective leader in the state of Wisconsin.
VK: What are your top priorities?
RS: Working class. That’s my first priority.
VK: Most people have previously held elected office, are currently in elected office. What makes you qualified for the top executive position in Wisconsin?
RS: I’m a one-of-us candidate, which means I’m a hard-working person every day, and I know what it’s like.
VK: You unsuccessfully ran for the Assembly as a Republican in 2000. Now you’re running as a Democrat.
RS: Yes.
VK: What’s changed?
RS: I did switch to being a Democrat right after that because of my working class views… Now, two issues I have changed since I was a Republican. I went from being anti-gun to pro-gun. I am pro-concealed carry. But I’m also now pro-choice.
VK: What caused those ideological shifts for you?
RS: I have a good breakfast friend, and he put it simple to me. He said, ‘if we ban guns, Who will get the guns? The bad guys.’ And we just can’t have that. I’m also pro police. And I look at myself as being pro-choice now, which was a tough decision, but we have to control the population.
VK: When you say we have to control the population, what do you mean by that?
RS: We have a lot of families who are struggling in poverty right now. And the more kids we push out, so to speak, that we’re going to have a hard time trying to afford anyone.
VK: Also on your campaign website, you said to work on the environment, but with common sense. Can you define what that means?
RS: I don’t want us to have any more of the emission tests anymore. We have too many people who are struggling with their automobiles. Some have to drive beaters… My solution to that actually is rather simple one. They can go to their hardware store, buy a $15 blue recyclable receptacle and start recycling right there.
VK: So your main strategy for fighting climate change would be recycling?
RS: Yes, you could say it like that.
VK: You say quality education at all levels. What does that mean to you?
RS: Money needs to go into school systems… How about selling alcohol at high school sporting events?… I know it’s a bold decision to make, but hey, that’s revenue.
VK: How are you funding your campaign?
RS: I do have some rather rich family members so to speak. They’re helping me. And I do have some other connections. I do have some more fundraisers coming up.
VK: How would you work in a bipartisan nature?
RS: We gotta stop with this us versus them mentality. We just do because it’s getting ridiculous… We have to grow up, myself included.
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