Opportunity Wisconsin
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha Fire Department Lieutenant Joseph “Joey” Sielski — a longtime fire union boss and former union vice president — is back in another political television ad, and once again the messaging relies on emotion, selective facts, and a narrative that assumes Kenosha voters won’t bother to look past what’s put in front of them. This is now the second time Sielski has chosen to lend his credibility to an ad that misleads viewers while insulting the intelligence of the people who live here.
The ad is produced by Opportunity Wisconsin, a shadowy dark-money political group that has previously been exposed for spreading false and misleading claims. Last year, PolitiFact debunked the group’s attacks, and even the left-leaning Milwaukee Journal Sentinel criticized Opportunity Wisconsin for pushing misinformation — an unusually blunt rebuke from a newspaper that rarely aligns with Republican messaging. That context matters, because this is not a one-off mistake. It is a pattern.
In the new ad, Sielski introduces himself as a firefighter and says his wife is a nurse. He explains that their son has a rare medical condition requiring repeated testing, claims insurance “isn’t going to cover that,” and asserts that the only way his family could afford health care was through Medicaid. He then accuses Congressman Bryan Steil of voting for “the largest Medicaid cut in history” to fund “another billionaire tax break,” strongly implying Steil’s vote directly threatened his child’s care and his family’s financial stability.
That implication is false — and the way the ad is constructed is deliberate.
Sielski never actually says his child lost coverage. He never says his child became ineligible for care. He never says any medical services were cut off. He never explains what program provided the additional support his family received. Instead, the ad invites viewers to assume that a congressional vote stripped healthcare from a sick child — because that assumption is emotionally powerful, even if it isn’t true.
The reality is far less dramatic, which is why the ad avoids specifics.
Eligible children in Wisconsin continue to receive full medical coverage. The reforms being attacked do not remove coverage for eligible children, pregnant women, disabled adults, caregivers, or other protected populations. The changes focus on eligibility integrity, fraud prevention, and work requirements for able-bodied, childless adults receiving taxpayer-funded benefits. Administrative checks were increased to prevent duplicate enrollment across states and to ensure benefits go to people who actually qualify. None of those changes eliminated healthcare for eligible Wisconsin children.
The ad is not really arguing “don’t hurt sick kids.” It is arguing against work requirements and eligibility checks — and using a child’s medical condition as political camouflage to avoid saying that plainly.
There is also a glaring omission Sielski never addresses: if his city-provided insurance did not cover certain tests, a congressman in Washington does not decide that. The City of Kenosha does. Local leadership does. City administration does. And that includes Mayor Bogdala — Sielski’s political ally.
Sielski supported Bogdala during his campaign. Yet instead of calling out the local officials who actually control city insurance benefits, Sielski chose to blame someone he politically opposes at the federal level. He did not criticize his friend. He did not criticize city leadership. He redirected the blame elsewhere — toward a target that fits the partisan narrative.
That is not accidental. That is political calculation.
And Sielski is not naïve. He is not new to politics. He is a union boss who has actively lobbied for Democrats for years. He understands how political ads are crafted. He understands how emotional storytelling works. And he understands that wearing a firefighter’s uniform gives him instant credibility with voters — credibility that groups like Opportunity Wisconsin are eager to exploit.
This matters for another reason. Firefighters are among the most trusted public servants in our community. Like police officers, they sometimes testify in court. Their credibility, honesty, and integrity can make the difference between a conviction and an acquittal. When a fire lieutenant repeatedly appears in political ads that blur facts and misdirect blame, the public has every right to question the judgment behind it.
And this isn’t the first time.
Kenosha voters recently saw Sielski in another Opportunity Wisconsin ad claiming that tariffs were driving grocery prices “through the roof” and that family meals were “almost too much to bear.” That ad leaned on the same tactic: a trusted public servant delivering a simplified, emotionally charged narrative while leaving out inconvenient facts. Now, once again, viewers are being asked to accept a dramatic claim without being given the full truth.
Kenosha voters are not stupid. They can understand nuance. They can understand the difference between Medicaid and CHIP. They can understand that fraud prevention and work requirements are not the same thing as cutting off sick children. And they can recognize when a political ad is counting on them not to ask questions.
If Lt. Sielski wants to advocate for Democrats, that is his right. If he wants to oppose work requirements, he should say that honestly. If he wants better insurance coverage for city employees, he should direct that frustration where it belongs — toward the local officials who control it, including the mayor he supported.
But Kenoshans should not accept being manipulated — again — by political ads that treat them like they won’t notice what’s missing.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
79 Responses
The funniest part is if he didn’t like the insurance, as the union prez, he can have it changed.
What a lying douchebag hack.
While I completely disagree with his accusations in the ad, he can’t change his insurance as the union prez. Act 10 doesn’t allow firefighters and cops to negotiate their health insurance plans.
Firefighters and law enforcement are exempt from Act 10.
THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE LIE.
Act 10 specifically exempted Police and Fire’fighters’. They have been able to negotiate any and all benefits. So this further proves A) YOU are a liar and B) Joey, small penis, is also a scumbag liar(still).
The insurance we get on the FD is awesome, always has been. He is making things up to get a story for political purposes and it’s just not right. I’m quite ashamed actually.
This guy is such a parasite. He and his wife have great jobs with amazing benefits, yet he wants taxpayers to cover expenses for his kid, seriously? There are people who truly need those resources, and he’s taking advantage of them. FU Joey. You and your wife ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
You can only negotiate cost not plan options. The municipality can give shit insurance if they choose and that can’t be negotiated.
That being said the city has good insurance.
We’re all clueless in Kenosha.
You are
He’s doing the ad so he can have a pool installed next the the basketball court in his back yard, for his wife’s new implants and botox injections. I’d bet he drives a lifted truck as well with a 🐓that big!
Kenosha has many more low paid non-union workers than premium paid union labor, whose leaders are high-living cohorts with the political grifting class. Just keep up the social media pressure and hammer that this union labor prince gets the “high life”, while the majority of non-union get crumbs, and sufficient critical mass dislike should do its trick on election day to ensure he loses.
The representative for ALL Kenosha Firefighters trots out his disabled son to use for a political hit piece on a politician.
What a low life.
I guess his wife the nurse opted out of insurance coverage.
Wow. What a politician, lying while living a lavish lifestyle as if he knows struggles.
just another fire clown. he was and is a pain in the ass to deal with.
takes one to know one fool
takes one to know one you anti-semitic jackass
Embarrassing his mother
Again
Wow.. So he works full time with benefits and under the impression his wife is a nurse or a Nurse Practitioner? Nurses make good money and also have the opportunity to take healthcare insurance. Why the need for Medicaid?
Why do they need the state to pay for their child’s medical needs when they have good jobs and access to insurance. If they can live the life of luxuries they can learn to live within their means and prioritize their child’s medical needs above basketball courts, hot tubs and pools. They’re those who truly need Medicaid, they don’t look like they are that needy.
Perhaps they should stop paying 13k a season for the daughter to play for the Jr Admirals. That’s a thought…
Who is his mother?
None of your beeswax.
Who’s his daddy
Why does he need Medicaid for his child’s medical issues? Doesn’t he have health insurance and if his wife is a nurse or NP pretty sure she has the option to have health insurance as well. Why abuse the system when there’s those who are truly in need that can’t afford insurance. Maybe he should learn to live within their means.
His family deductible is $5000.00 max in network… and children’s hospital is “in network” so he can use his HSA, and an effective out of pocket cost of about $4000.00 for a whole family. Boohoo.
Idiot clowns like this are the problem
Picture with mayor he has fire fighter logo in LGBTQ colors approved by city hall? Mayor is worthless also!!
The guy is a clown and a liar.
I feel like such a sucker. When we had jobs that offered health insurance, we took the insurance offered. Never had any idea that I could put my kid on state insurance/medicaid and save money. A firefighter and a nurse should have good enough insurance that they don’t need to take advantage of taxpayers.
POS .. Both have ins with there jobs ..Good fucken ins …FAF hose boy ..
POS .. Both have ins with there jobs ..Good fucken ins …FAF hose boy ..
He is a firefighter. No one fucking cares that he continues to make an ass clown out of himself. Yeah, I’m really going to choose who to vote for based on some stupid commercial from a firefighter. Not.
i hate firefighters
This is exactly what has been happening in many political ads. They prey on emotions and create a false narrative against people they dont agree with. It’s OK to not agree but to go to these extremes is false advertising and only tries to drive the wedge of division further, and let’s face it, it’s a lie.
Kenosha firefighters using Medicaid…Union must be pretty incompetent negotiating a contract.
Do they also use SNAP benefits?
You know what your duty is Joey! You HAVE to believe in the rights agenda or you’re no longer qualified as a first responder or patriot!!!! You clean up them bodies after ice takes em out!!
Maybe make Barca pick up the lunch tab for a change.
Union should concentrating on dispelling public opinion that firefighters are a bunch of losers and cockroaches but instead trot out a guy who exploits his kids supporting some real dysfunctional politicians.
Based on who votes, 50% of people just chalk it up as loser union firefighters..…but when you consider those already challenged by high property taxes, Joe and the firefighter welfare sponges become the poster boys for why gov’t unions got to go.
This campaign cycle is gonna be brutal and a real game changer…..gonna be some really big losers.
Joey Joey Joey, what are you going to do? Your life is so rough. But at least you can always get your fill of opiates from your family members, worthless addicts.
I worked in a union for about 8 years. During that time the business agent would hang out and hand a list to the members on voting “preferences”. It caught me off guard as I wasn’t a union dude thru and thru. Every candidate they suggested, was a democrat and guys voted them in an effort to bolster their union peeps, they thought. I left that job when it was obvious that the more senior you were meant the lazier you could be. The union protected them regardless.
Okay come on. I might agree with some of the politics. Let’s call it what it is it’s politics. Us Republicans have done some of this type of ads. Now I’m not agreeing with all the trumps policies even though I voted for him. Some Republicans do have to stand up to Mr Trump and say hey this is wrong.
fuck off RINO
Like what may I ask?
This man is a delusional, don’t we all wish we could be “mistreated” with his pay and benefits. Funny, I got into a car accident and it was blocking green bay road. Police and fire both showed up. The police gave me an accident report and did their work for free. The fire department sent me a bill for several thousand dollars. My property taxes on my home and business in Kenosha should pay for my first responders. This is not the case, and it needs to change. Firemen like this will treat you nice and smile, then you’ll get a bill from their accountant (not even kenosha city clerk or finance) for several thousand dollars. You’d think with all that extra $ “poor Joey” would be doin fine.
cry baby that works 2 days a week
He doesn’t get the money from the bill the fire department sent you dum dum. You only got a bill if you were at fault. Drive better and get car insurance. Then the car insurance company would pay the bill.
what was this poor mans salary last year? $125000?
I agree. This person is crying about costs for medical care (that every American experiences), yet him and his organization overcharge us all. $1700 (plus a per mile fee) was the cost for an ambulance ride I took. This was in an ambulance that my taxes already bought, with employees working and getting paid from my tax dollars. I guess I can see if they charged for a bandage, or and IV, but those are pennies on the dollar. I don’t get billed when the snow plow drives by, or the bus, or the street sweeper, or if police come to my house and take fingerprints, photographs, write a report and investigate.
Maybe its time the fire department is privatized if they want to act like a business and send bills to the people that pay their salary and purchase their equipment and training? At least it could be competitive then.
I don’t believe your statement is correct, Ambulances are usually privately owned companies and have no affiliation with hospitals or fire departments.
Not Kenosha Fire department. The only private ambulance do not do 911 response calls. They are for stabilized patient transfers.
Nope EMS in most agencies in the region are fire based, KFD also charges for non transports, I believe about $250, hospital transports are approx $1600,
Ambulances are also used to haul groceries
And your mama
Every time the Kenosha Fire Dept. picks you up in an ambulance, the Fire Dept. sends you a huge bill. Insurance may cover some of it and you pay the balance. Average bill is nearly $2k! Even good insurance leaves you a $700+ bill to pay!
This guy should be fired for lying
The TV ad is insulting to hard working people who do not have the funds to have a pool, basketball court, 2 well employed parents and who knows what else in the household. It is unfortunate that there is a medically-challenged child but portraying the household as barely surviving is insulting. Maybe a financial manager and a budgeting counselor should assist this family to be able to put food on the table and prioritize expenditures.
Pool vs. Insrance
Super misleading ad. Bullshit on Joey’s part to push this like he’s doing. I think his ego is so damn big he just likes being on these commercials more than believing what he’s actually saying. He’s always been a clown
I won’t be voting for anyone this guy endorses.
Again Joey? You didn’t learn your lesson the first time when we all see you in public and laugh?! I know your hockey costs, seen your house, cars, all the extras your kids have… maybe it’s time to open your eyes look in the mirror and realize what a joke you and your wife are! I know your family (both blood and the firefighter family) is embarrassed.
Joey the Pollock Dego confirms his Polish heritage by stepping in it again.
Fuck him. Devious backstabbing ass
I’m lost how can a child be put on Medicaid when his parent has private insurance and their income is over the allowed amount. Is this child under 18 or over 18? If over 18 and the child is disabled he can get Badgercare. The the parent can also keep the child on their insurance till they reach 26 and Badgercare becomes the secondary insurance.
Badgercare is rampant with fraud, someone should report Joey for FRAUD!
I hope I see him around town.
Not surprised by this. KFD is filled with scumbags starting with “leader” Tilton who barely has custody of his own children, another FF who sexually assaulted his daughter and physically beat his ex-wife, Speidel who operated the firetrucks and med squads with no valid DL, another FF who is addicted to porn that he watches at the station, promotion of another FF despite criminal battery and strangulation charges….the list goes on. This department is corrupt and an embarrassment to the city of Kenosha.
Remember back when the Kenosha FF union fought and cited that there is case law “firefighters have a right to porn in the private areas of a firehouse”. Back in the Sitkowski lawsuit.
So this Firefighter/Union Rep/Politician/ Sielski invites a murky NGO into his home, and exploits his children to craft a propaganda political hit piece.
The Goalrilla basketball hoop retails for $2500 give or take. He’s not short of disposable income that’s for sure.
The look is a public sector employee manipulating for financial gain, to grift yet more tax dollars.
Vile
Just a thought. Why the need for firemen/ women to have to work 24 hr shifts and sleep at the firehouse? Why can’t they work 12 hr shifts and go home to sleep? And if they are on pms or nights, guess what stay awake on your shift.
Imagine all the money us tax payers could save. IF nurses can work 3 – 12 hour plus shifts or more and they actually are caring for patients the whole time . Why can’t firemen/ women do the same and eliminate having to pay for their housing and maintenance of a building. Such a scam ! I too heard about porn watching in the firehouse.
You’d actually spend more money. You’d have damn near double the employees. Meaning more insurance cost for those employees. And do you think anyone would apply for the job if you’re thinking they would only get half the pay? Nurses working 3/12s are making similar annually to the FF working 24/48
Nothing about their odd schedule makes sense except waste. How can you tell me they’re making the right safe decisions when they are on hour 17 of their day?
Correct. Then we don’t have to build these taj majal fire stations full of millions of kitchen equipment, showers, gyms, video game areas, beds, sleeping rooms… Let just shut the first (second responder) down-
“we need showers in case we get dirty at work”. My grandpa didn’t shower after his shift at American Brass, you guys can shower at home after your 8 or 12 hour shift like everyone else.
An as far as staffing, the fire department has almost the exact amount of employees and the police department, and they work 3 shifts with no mega mansion game room frat houses just fine.
The Dems really found their “useful idiot” with Joe. You wrote a very good and even handed editorial, Kevin. Good on you! I don’t mind having honest discussions with people regarding politics, but I can’t stand these God damn liars making political commercials, and that includes Joe.
Sielski’s deception has been duly noted but there’s also deflection at work here. Sielski isn’t running for office. Steil is and he did vote to cut Medicaid funding.
Yeah yeah, maybe it’s because freeloaders like Joey are taking advantage of the system, and there’s only so much money for these programs. If we had fewer people milking the system, we might have enough for those who truly need the help. Stop with the poor Joey BS, He’s the only one BS-ing.
This is such a hate-filled site.
No haters, just common sense. Joey should move to MN.
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Interesting that he has a pool and pretty expensive hoop w/ custom court?? Pool vs. insurance, I guess pool wins..