PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Valerie Kretchmer, a Pleasant Prairie resident, business professional and community advocate, announced Tuesday that she is running for Wisconsin’s 65th Assembly District, a seat representing parts of Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie.
Kretchmer, a Republican, said she wants to bring what she described as “principled, common-sense leadership” to Madison at a time when many local voters have grown frustrated with increasingly partisan politics and candidates viewed as being too far outside the mainstream.
Kretchmer said she plans to focus her campaign on fiscal responsibility, government accountability, essential services, public safety and support for families.
“I am proud to call Wisconsin home and am committed to serving the people of our state,” Kretchmer said. “By working together, we can strengthen our communities, ensure responsible government, and build a brighter future for Wisconsin families.”
Kretchmer said she believes state government should focus on using taxpayer dollars wisely, improving schools, supporting safe communities and advancing policies that promote economic growth while protecting disability rights and helping working families.
Her background includes experience in business, where she worked in budgeting, procurement and operational efficiency. She said those experiences helped shape her views on responsible spending and government oversight.
Kretchmer has also served on the Pleasant Prairie Parks Commission, where she advocated for more inclusive and accessible community spaces. She worked with local officials on playground guidelines that comply with federal disability standards and helped support the accessible design of Prairie Springs Park.
Earlier this year, Kretchmer ran for the Kenosha Unified School Board, where she campaigned on transparency, better communication with families, stronger student and staff safety measures and improved legal compliance for students with disabilities.
Outside of politics, Kretchmer and her husband, Nick, have fostered four infants and adopted their youngest child through foster care. She has also volunteered with several local organizations, including ELCA outreach programs, the Shalom Center, Kenosha Dream Playground, Easter Baskets for Joy and Read Across America.
Kretchmer said she plans to spend the coming months meeting with residents across the district to hear directly about the issues they care about most.
“With rising costs and ongoing economic uncertainty, it is critical that taxpayer dollars are used wisely,” Kretchmer said. “I look forward to traveling throughout the district, listening to voters, and learning firsthand about the challenges and opportunities facing our families, businesses, and communities.”
The 65th Assembly District race is expected to draw significant attention in southeastern Wisconsin as voters weigh whether they want a more pragmatic, community-focused approach in Madison.
2 Responses
She says she supports families. She must be a lib. Hard pass.
Meow