MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today will share the stage with his granddaughter, Tessa Schoenecker, at Wisconsin’s 2023 Inauguration Ceremony. Schoenecker, a college student, will introduce her grandfather as he is sworn in for his second term as the 46th governor of the state of Wisconsin. 

Below are Schoenecker’s remarks as prepared for delivery: 

Thank you all so much for being here! I’d like to especially thank Tony Evers and his team for allowing me to introduce him today and confirming my suspicions that I’m his favorite grandchild. My name is Tessa Schoenecker, and I’ve had the honor of knowing Tony well before he was governor, when he was just a grandparent to me and my siblings. It definitely changes your view on politics when you’ve seen the governor get destroyed in cornhole by your brother.

But more than that, having my family be so closely linked to Wisconsin politics has really impressed upon me the importance of people in our policy and taking an active role in our democracy.

We saw this so clearly in this past election with incredibly high youth voter turnout across the state. Young people in Wisconsin, or like myself, voting absentee from college, knew that we could be a decisive factor and knew that we had to show up. The issues on the table this year were huge, and I know many of us were motivated to not only vote ourselves but convince those around us to vote, and together, we made it happen.

Critical issues like reproductive healthcare and climate change were on the ballot, and with our work, we were able to elect a candidate who’s committed to making our state better and safer for everyone.

I’m so proud that this candidate was my grandfather. Not to mention relieved because I was scared I’d lose my D-list celebrity status if we lost.

This year was my first being able to vote for him, and it was so meaningful seeing his name on the ballot. I don’t know quite how to say this, but it really made me understand that no matter who the governor is, they’re just some person. The name on the ballot is the guy who wears his Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puffs hat too much and gets really into family pickleball tournaments.

Our leaders work for us, and it's our responsibility to remember that they’re just people and make our voices heard on the issues that are important to us. For most people, it’s a little harder than just texting your grandpa, but it’s necessary nonetheless.

I’m so hopeful for the future of our state and so excited for the possibilities of what we could achieve together. Over the next four years, I know that we can create a better Wisconsin for women, workers, people of color, and the LGBTQ community, and I’m so happy that my grandfather will be there with us.

MADISON — Below are excerpts from Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez’s Inaugural address as prepared for delivery.

...

Over the last year, I had the pleasure of traveling all over our great state to meet folks and families in their homes and businesses to hear about their lives and their challenges—and I had the chance to share a little bit about my own story, too.

I’m a born-and-raised Wisconsinite from Waukesha County. I’m the granddaughter of dairy farmers. I’m the proud daughter of a working-class family—my father was a Vietnam veteran who fixed telephones for Wisconsin Bell, and my mother was a proud union member as a teaching assistant for children with special needs.

I’m now a mom of two teenagers, 13 and 16. And yes, there is some sighing, eye-rolling, and they’re very embarrassed that I’m putting them on the spot right now.

I’m a nurse and public health professional who worked for more than 20 years answering calls at all times of the night, on the weekends, over the holidays—you name it—to take care of my patients, friends, and neighbors.

So, the lesson I learned from my conversations with Wisconsinites who I met out on the road won’t surprise you: we aren’t all that different.

...

I ran for the State Assembly and then to be your lieutenant governor because these were the issues that were heavy on my mind—as a mother, as a small business owner, as a healthcare provider, and as a Wisconsinite.

And, over the past several months, we saw it everywhere we went: Wisconsinites are strong, resilient, and ready for the bold, urgent solutions Gov. Evers and I have been fighting for to address the challenges we face—solutions that won't change who we are as a state, but instead ensure our state can be all we’ve set out to be.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to our challenges. It’s going to take all of us working together, bringing our ideas to the table, and connecting the dots to build the sort of future we want for our state.

...

Kolar strengthened partnerships, grown outreach, improved benefits and services, and laid a better foundation for the future of Wisconsin veterans and their families.

Brings Total Pardons Granted to 774.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/tony-evers-s-sos-2022-s450.jpgGovernor worked to build economy, fix the roads, make smart and strategic fiscal decisions, do what’s best for our kids and our schools, and to ensure the will of the people is the law of the land, especially in the face of unprecedented challenges.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/donald-trump-rally-milw-s5.jpgTrump vice grip on the Republican Party is weakening.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/domestic-violence2-s454.jpg$400,000 federal Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) grant launches five-year demonstration project here in Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/homeless-winter-s445.jpgNew Recovery Voucher Program will use Opioid Settlement Funds for affordable, safe, stable housing.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/high-voltage-lines-farms-s450.jpgSenator Smith writes about priorities for the upcoming legislative session and looks forward to introducing legislation to improve the quality of life of Wisconsin families.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/broadband-town-mtg-cross-s450.pngGovernor is getting out of the Capitol to meet with Wisconsinites where they are, at school, in their business, on their farm, and everywhere in between.