By David Murchland - Marshfield Now!
MARSHFIELD — Republican congressional candidate Jessi Ebben discussed the economy, agriculture, rural health care, energy, infrastructure and government regulation during a recent appearance on Marshfield Broadcasting’s Get to Know candidate interview program.
The program is designed to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking public office about their backgrounds, experience and priorities. Marshfield Broadcasting does not endorse political candidates or political parties, and qualified candidates for the office are offered an equal opportunity to participate.
Ebben, who lives in Stanley with her husband and son, described herself as a seventh-generation Wisconsinite. She said much of her professional career has been spent in the private sector, including work in rural health care and manufacturing. She said her health care experience included helping establish clinics in small towns and rural areas, while her current manufacturing position involves working with federal policy and regulation.
A recurring theme throughout the interview was Ebben’s call for reducing federal regulation. She argued that regulations place unnecessary burdens on manufacturers, small businesses and family farms. When asked about her top priorities for the district, Ebben pointed to deregulation, lower taxes, protecting existing jobs and encouraging additional economic development in rural communities.
Ebben said the loss of a major employer can have effects throughout a community, impacting families, local businesses, schools and the tax base. She said maintaining good-paying jobs and creating an environment where additional employers can grow are important to the long-term health of rural communities.
Agriculture and Rural Communities
Agriculture was another major focus of the conversation.
Ebben said farmers she has spoken with across the district frequently raise concerns about government regulation and the cost of operating farms. She said farmers should have greater flexibility to make decisions involving their crops, livestock and land.
She also discussed the challenge of passing family farms from one generation to another, saying financial pressures and regulatory costs can make succession increasingly difficult.
On environmental issues, Ebben said clean water, air and soil are important to rural residents and farmers. She argued that those who live and work on the land have a strong interest in protecting those resources for future generations.
Health Care
Ebben also discussed her previous work in rural health care and the difficulty some communities face in maintaining access to medical services.
She cited shortages involving labor and delivery services, maternal health care, mental health care and emergency services. Ebben said she supports greater price transparency and direct-pay options and argued for a more competitive health care marketplace. She also called for eliminating the Affordable Care Act.
When asked about Medicare and Social Security, Ebben said programs promised to people who have paid into them should be protected. She also called for reviewing the programs to ensure funding reaches the people they are intended to serve and to address what she described as waste, fraud and abuse.
Energy, Broadband and Infrastructure
On energy policy, Ebben criticized reliance on wind and solar power and said the country needs an energy mix that provides reliable and affordable electricity. She pointed to natural gas, coal and nuclear power as resources she believes should be part of that mix.
Ebben also addressed rural broadband, calling internet access important for remote work, health care and other opportunities. She pointed to satellite internet technology such as Starlink as an example of how private-sector innovation could help reach rural households where installing traditional fiber infrastructure may be costly.
Roads were another concern. Ebben said she frequently hears about road conditions while attending local town meetings and argued that infrastructure dollars should be kept closer to local communities rather than moving through multiple levels of government and grant programs before reaching municipalities.
Workforce and Public Safety
Ebben said Wisconsin should continue encouraging technical education, apprenticeships and skilled trades as experienced workers approach retirement. She said expanding apprenticeship opportunities could allow younger workers and people changing careers to learn directly from experienced tradespeople.
On public safety, Ebben expressed strong support for law enforcement and said rural sheriff's departments need adequate resources to respond to emergencies. She also said she has received endorsements from several sheriffs within the district.
Wolves and District Priorities
Asked to identify one measurable accomplishment she would seek during her first year in Congress, Ebben pointed to removing the gray wolf from federal endangered-species protections.
She said the issue is important to farmers, hunters and rural residents and cited livestock and hunting-dog losses attributed to wolves. Ebben said she would continue efforts in Congress to pursue delisting if the issue remains unresolved when the next Congress begins.
Accessibility and Ethics
Ebben said she would maintain a presence throughout the district and support regional staff who could assist constituents with issues involving federal agencies, including Social Security and veterans' benefits.
She also committed to holding town halls and maintaining opportunities for residents to communicate with her office. Ebben said that responsibility would include listening to people who disagree with her, noting that a member of Congress represents everyone in the district regardless of how they voted.
On congressional ethics, Ebben said she supports prohibiting members of Congress and their spouses from trading individual stocks while serving in office.
Making Her Case to Voters
Near the conclusion of the interview, Ebben said her private-sector and policy experience would shape how she approaches the job in Congress. She emphasized protecting what she described as Wisconsin's rural way of life and spoke about faith, family, constitutional rights, agriculture, border security and support for law enforcement among her priorities.
Ebben asked voters for their support in the Aug. 11 election.
The interview was conducted as part of Marshfield Broadcasting’s Get to Know series, which provides candidates an opportunity to discuss their backgrounds and positions directly with voters.
Marshfield Broadcasting states that it does not endorse candidates, political parties or ballot positions, and participation in the program does not imply an endorsement.