MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Missy Hughes, former head of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, is running to be the state’s next governor.
Before leading WEDC, Hughes served as the chief mission officer and general counsel at Organic Valley, a billion-dollar, farmer-owned dairy cooperative. She is now one of eight Democrats in the primary.
The following is an edited transcript of the conversation between Hughes and Wisconsin State Capitol Bureau Chief Vanessa Kjeldsen. It has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
Vanessa Kjeldsen: Why do you want to be governor?
Missy Hughes: Well, I really think that the next Governor of Wisconsin needs to be focused on building a really strong economy… And with my experience, both in the private sector and the public sector, I feel like I’m the person to do that.
VK: What would be your top priority as governor?
MH: I want to create what we’re calling a Main Street economy, an economy that includes our communities and makes our Main Streets really strong, that brings everyone the opportunity for good-paying jobs.
VK: How are you going to increase wages for workers?
MH: We have already seen in my time at WEDC an increase in wages. In the first half of this year, between January and May, we saw an increase of wages in Wisconsin of 7%. And that’s by making sure that you’re talking to the companies of the future, that you’re helping companies like Milwaukee Tool, like Kikkoman, like Eli Lilly come to the state, expand in the state.
VK: You worked for Governor Evers’ administration, but is there anything you would want to change about the administration moving forward?
MH: Yeah, listen, I worked for Governor Evers for six years. I’m so honored to have been part of his administration… Going forward, I have a very different set of experiences. I have a business background. He had, you know, the classic teacher, superintendent background.
VK: How would you work with a Republican Republican-controlled legislature.
MH: You know, I’ve worked with a Republican-controlled legislature for the last six years… I was confirmed twice unanimously as secretary by the Republicans, and I feel that I have good relationships with them.
VK: In an ideal Wisconsin, what does the school system look like?
MH: My priority would be making sure that our public schools are funded in a way that supports our students.
VK: Are you saying they need more money?
MH: I’m saying that we need to build the economy. By bringing in more economic activity, you can help to start to relieve some of those property taxes, but also find the resources to pay for things.
VK: This is a wide Democratic primary. Why would you be the best pick for the party?
MH: The moment that we’re seeing right now is the need for a Democrat, someone who’s got the values of making sure that we don’t leave anybody behind, but also a Democrat who understands how the economy works and how to build the economy.
VK: Many other Democrats, when they were launching their campaigns in this primary, they came out directly against the Trump administration. Your campaign launch ad took a little bit of a softer approach. Why is that?
MH: I live with 70 sheep and two donkeys. And as I talk to my neighbors and talk to folks in that community and throughout Wisconsin, everyone is so tired of the fighting and the yelling. And I really want to model a how do we move forward campaign.
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