By JAMIE L. DUNNUM | Westby
I am writing today to share my voice and opinion about the Republican candidate for the 96th District Assembly seat, Loren Oldenburg.
I met Loren over a decade ago, when my husband ran for an elected seat on the Westby Cooperative Creamery Board. In that time, Loren and my husband, along with a great group of other individuals, were seeing the creamery through vast growth and change. For a great part of that time, Loren was at the helm, steadfast and sure, leading this board as its president.
It was at an annual party that I was introduced to Loren and his wife Linda. We became fast friends. Loren and Linda are a fierce and dynamic couple who pour their heart and soul into their family, friends and work.
As the years moved on, my family faced a horrendous upheaval, as we lost the life of our infant son. Loren and Linda were there for us, they cared for us, and when the challenges were too great, they held us up. We put our faith into God during that time, and the love of family and friends helped to get us through.
In the years to come, we asked Loren and Linda to be our youngest daughter’s godparents. When they accepted, it sealed the deal. They were not only some of our greatest friends, but they were now family. I am proud to call them family and I am so proud to post a sign in my front yard and share this joy with the 96th district that we have the man needed to get the job done in Madison.
Loren is that man, he is interested in our wellbeing, he is interested in improving healthcare and he is interested in helping the people of our area. Loren is working hard in all areas of the 96th district. He is wanting to meet as many of you as he can and talk to you about what is important and what is needed.
It is easy for candidates to state we need better jobs, we need to fix our roads, and we need to help the dairy farmers in our area. All of those things are true, we need them all, but with Loren, steadfast and at the helm of the 96th district, we will see his plans become a reality.
My husband and I have two farms, a dairy farm in Vernon County and a Christmas tree farm in Crawford County, both located in the 96th district. We want someone who is going to Madison who is not going to talk about what they can do for us, but work right alongside us. Loren is the man to roll up his sleeves and do the work that it takes. Loren has talked to us about what is important, what our needs are, and how he can help us be prosperous and continue in our family tradition of being a generational farmer, just like him. I have faith he will get the job done. I have seen it before: He will not hesitate to dig deep and get his hands dirty. I urge you all to go out and vote this November for Loren Oldenburg!