In 2009 I was watching a Wisconsin Assembly floor session and they were talking about the Wisconsin School Choice program. At the time my grandson was attending Eastbrook Academy, a choice school. My Assemblyman, Fred Kessler, a Democrat basically said that if he could he would close down this successful educational opportunity. I also watch as the Democrats were passing laws that would kill the choice by over regulation.
It was then that I decided that despite never being involved in partisan politics that I would run against Kessler.
I wasn't successful in my attempt to replace Kessler, but it was my foray into becoming involved with the Republican Party which lasted for about a dozen years. During that time I was the chairman of the Milwaukee North Branch of the Republican Party of Milwaukee County and also the Chair of the whole county. I am currently a conservative independent.
The good news for school choice was that 2010 was a Republican Tsunami and they reversed and made the choice program stronger.