Jeff Rumbaugh is also vying for the Democratic nominee for governor. He is a Madison resident who moved to Wisconsin from Illinois in 1997. Since then, he has worked with adults that have a wide range of disabilities. Rumbaugh joins nearly a dozen other Democrats who have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge Governor Scott Walker in 2018.
He says that, like a lot of Wisconsinites, the air of dissatisfaction inspired him to run. More specifically, pollution in the state is of concern to him. “I couldn’t sit back and watch our [inland waters] be polluted. We all need fresh water.”
Rumbaugh says that Wisconsin needs an efficient and well funded Department of Natural Resources. “It’s important that we have the DNR to provide oversight and make sure that certain things are being monitored, whether it be water pollution from manure… water being pumped into Foxconn, treated and sent back. There are so many things that need that structure above them to oversee things.”
Other priorities for Rumbaugh include storage of electricity. He says the push for green energy is great, but that we need to maintain coal and natural gas turbines for times when green energy isn’t available. He also suggests that Wisconsin begin taking on more electric vehicles and having them be used as a means for storing electricity.
Returning to the controversial Foxconn deal, Rumbaugh says that there were some things that were overlooked, including the record Foxconn has with its employees in Indianapolis. He says many reviews from employees indicate that workers were treated poorly and that the company not allowing for equal advancement.
With such a crowded primary, Rumbaugh says that this election is about survival and the progress needed to achieve that. He says that his compassion will help lead Wisconsin to bring it into the future.
Producer Nina Kravinsky sat down with him earlier today and discussed his campaign.
