The FFRF Action Fund is pleased to announce crucial primary victories for four Wisconsin candidates who received our enthusiastic endorsement.
These candidates — two in the state Senate and two in the Assembly — are all strong in their commitment to keep religion out of the government, and have also committed to protecting reproductive autonomy. We strongly urge our Wisconsin advocates to support them and be sure to vote in the general election on Nov. 5, and to encourage others to do the same. All four candidates are running as Democrats.
Kristin Alfheim currently serves on Appleton’s Common Council and prioritizes protecting reproductive autonomy, fighting for affordable healthcare, and supporting public schools. Her opponent prioritizes expanding Wiscnosin’s private school voucher program, which has defunded public schools and siphoned taxpayer money into private, religious education. Alfheim is running for an open Senate seat in District 18.
Learn more about Alfheim at her campaign website.
State Sen. Kelda Roys is a longtime vocal advocate of state/church separation. She spoke at the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s convention last year, has briefed FFRF attorneys on legislative policy and has been a strong supporter of FFRF for years. An attorney, small business owner and former executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Roys is a passionate defender of women’s rights and bodily autonomy. She has authored laws on a wide range of progressive issues. In addition, she is an open atheist. Roys is seeking re-election in Senate District 26.
Learn more about Roys at her campaign website.
State Rep. Mike Bare, who is not religious, says that religion should play “no role whatsoever” in public policy decisions. He expresses “full and unconditional support” for abortion access, and opposes public funding of school voucher programs for religious schools.
Bare is a former longtime aide to progressive former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold. He has served on the Dane County Board and the Verona City Council. Bare is a small business owner and runs the Biergarten at Olbrich Park in Madison. Prior to being elected to the Assembly, Bare worked at the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, advocating for Wisconsin’s low-income population on equitable access to healthcare and housing security. Bare is seeking re-election in Assembly District 60.
Learn more about Bare at his campaign website.
Rep. Ryan Clancy describes himself as a lifelong activist, organizer and advocate who has consistently stood in defense of civil rights and social justice. Prior to serving in the Wisconsin Assembly, Clancy was a Milwaukee County supervisor. He sued the city and county in 2021, alleging that police violated his rights at a Black Lives Matter protest the prior summer. That claim was settled in late 2023. In 1995, The ACLU represented Clancy when his high school administrators tried to expel him for organizing and publishing an alternative student newspaper. Clancy is seeking re-election in Assembly District 19.
Learn more about Clancy at his campaign website.
The FFRF Action Fund congratulates these candidates and looks forward to working with them to advance our shared principles. This election result is not just a win for our endorsed candidates, but for all who believe in the necessity of a secular government that respects and protects the rights of all its citizens—regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof.
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations, and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues. FFRF Action Fund serves as the advocacy arm of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has more than 40,000 members and works to keep religion out of government and educate the public about nontheism.