Photo credit: State Representative Evan Goyke's Facebook page
Incumbent Evan Goyke is bright, hardworking and spends a great deal of his time working on the issues directly affecting his constituents. He is clear about the fact that his “greatest responsibility… is to be your voice in state government.” In this capacity, he has fought to serve on committees that deal with the issues that directly affect the residents of his district. Goyke currently serves on five committees: Corrections, Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Family Law, Veteran and Military Affairs and Housing. He is also a WHEDA board member.
Goyke grew up in Madison, Wis., moved to Milwaukee to attend Marquette University Law School and, before his election in 2012, served as an attorney in the Office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender and as an Adjunct Professor of Law at MU. Issues of criminal justice appear repeatedly on his résumé, and for good reason: He cares deeply about criminal justice reform and not giving up on people—ever. He understands that Wisconsin cannot afford to continue to lock up people for long periods of time for nonviolent crimes.
Goyke has worked with Republican legislators on this issue to have saner sentencing policies that will also save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. “Neighborhoods can experience drastic reductions in crime, but it really has nothing to do with long prison sentences,” he told the Shepherd Express. “It has more to do with empowering people, wrapping the community around troubled individuals and engaging young people in a positive way.” He also spends a great deal of his efforts on working on issues to promote economic development, job creation and neighborhood improvement.
The primary race for the State Assembly—18th District is one of several items on the ballot on Aug. 14. See all of our endorsements here.
