Joan Ellis Beglinger was the first candidate in the race when she announced her run for governor of Wisconsin as an Independent last April. A retired registered nurse and hospital administrator, Beglinger attributed her decision to run to her belief that “our freedom is under assault. The risks to our democracy are too great to sit on the sideline.”
Asked about her choice to run as an Independent Beglinger responded, “The major parties have disqualified themselves from our trust and our support. Career politicians have replaced citizen legislators and, regardless of which party is in power, elected officials enrich their own lives on our dime and produce few, if any, outcomes that are important to the people.”
Wisconsin law permits an independent candidate to appear on the November ballot by meeting eligibility criteria and collecting 2,000 nomination signatures between April 15 and June 1. There is no primary for an independent candidate. The campaign reports all criteria have been met and Beglinger asserted, “there is absolutely no doubt we will get the required signatures.”
Beglinger described her campaign as a test of whether ideas, character, competence and courage can triumph over big money and political machinery. She went on to say the people must reclaim their government and political process if they want to live free.
Last Update: Mar 03, 2022 2:50 pm CST
