Many have been feeling the pinch of what our state government has been doing to us over the last few years. How can they increase spending at the state level when we who pay their salaries cannot? Families cannot increase their spending to rid themselves of debt.

That’s a [...]]]> Wisconsin State Journal – Saturday, September 4, 2010

Many have been feeling the pinch of what our state government has been doing to us over the last few years. How can they increase spending at the state level when we who pay their salaries cannot? Families cannot increase their spending to rid themselves of debt.

That’s a simple fact, one that 49th Assembly District Rep. Phil Garthwaite doesn’t understand. He voted to increase our taxes by $5 billion and upped state spending last year. This from the man who states on his website: “I look forward to earning your vote so that I can keep working for lower taxes.”

It’s time for change back to basic, fundamental, fiscal solutions. That change is Travis Tranel.

I voted for Tranel in the 2008 election because I know and trust him. He is a hard-working individual who stands behind his commitments. He believes in lower taxes, which means more money for taxpayers to invest in local economies, funding for our local schools or in more jobs for our local businesses. I trust Tranel to help us accomplish these goals in Madison.

We can’t afford politicians who say one thing when they campaign and then vote the opposite. Vote for accountability in politics. Vote Travis Tranel.

- Roger Scholbrock, Potosi

Wisconsin State Journal >>

Dear Editor

It was a year that few will forget.

In 2008 we watched as markets rose to some of their highest highs…and then crashed. Amid the turmoil, frustration, and confusion, America got caught up in a move for “Change”. Voters went to the ballot boxes sparked by hope [...]]]> Fennimore Times – Thursday, August 26 2010

Dear Editor

It was a year that few will forget.

In 2008 we watched as markets rose to some of their highest highs…and then crashed. Amid the turmoil, frustration, and confusion, America got caught up in a move for “Change”. Voters went to the ballot boxes sparked by hope and expecting something better. Is that what we got…better? National debt has exploded. States are bankrupt. Access to credit has been denied while access to new dysfunctional health care has been approved. And economic growth has been anything but. America asked for something better, but “Change” for the worse is what we got. It is time for something better. It is time for real change…not one offered by career politicians entrenched in party politics who only glad-hand their constituents for a vote and then pursue their own political paths. We all must take an active interest in the direction of our country. If you are like me, you detest what politics have become as much as the people who have mastered its game. But we can’t walk away from the game just because we don’t like our team. We get a new team – one made of real people who represent our real interests; one that has demonstrated successfully their ability to balance a checkbook, pay their taxes, conduct themselves in an upright manner, and make hard decisions without crumpling under the pressure or passing the buck. We are fortunate to have such a candidate in the 49th Assembly race in southwest WI. That candidate is Travis Tranel! Join me in voting for change we can live with. Vote for Travis!

Sincerely,

Mike North

Platteville, WI

Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for the 49th Assembly District seat, currently held by Democrat Phil Garthwaite.

Full story >>

FROM TROY UPDIKE 2243 COUNTY ROAD Z, CUBA CITY, WIS.

It was great to be driving around Grant County recently and see so many people with Travis Tranel for State Assembly signs on their farms or in their yards. Wow, he has a lot of support!

I think Travis [...]]]> Telegraph Herald – Friday, July 30, 2010

FROM TROY UPDIKE 2243 COUNTY ROAD Z, CUBA CITY, WIS.

Tranel says his main reason for running is to improve the economy of Southwest Wisconsin by reining in government, and because the area needs [...]]]> Cuba City, WI – Grant County dairy farmer Travis Tranel officially announced today that he is going to challenge Democrat State Representative Phil Garthwaite to represent the 49th Assembly District in 2010.

Tranel says his main reason for running is to improve the economy of Southwest Wisconsin by reining in government, and because the area needs someone who truly represents the needs, interests, and values of the folks living in the 49th Assembly District. Tranel says the current Representative seems to pay more attention to keeping the folks in Madison happy than actually representing the needs of the 49th District, and says he is particularly critical of Rep. Garthwaite’s votes to raise taxes by nearly $5 billion dollars last year.

Tranel says he remains disappointed with the direction our government continues to head. “Higher taxes and bloated government spending are not going to get our economy back on track,” said Tranel. “We have to stop spending money we don’t have and borrowing from future generations. I believe people are starting to realize that our current politicians are blowing it. At some point you have to stand up and say enough is enough. We need to get back to basics.”

Tranel believes that Wisconsin’s tax climate is a big reason the state has lost over 250,000 jobs in the last year and a half, and over 4.3 percent of its private sector businesses since 2006. He also said he believes that hard working families should be able to keep more of what they earn.

Tranel won the 49th Assembly District 3 way Republican primary in 2008 by 10 percentage points. Campaigning for lower taxes and more responsible spending, he went on to make an impressive showing in the general election, out-performing the top of the Republican ticket by over 2,000 votes.

Tranel is an active member of St. Joseph’s Church in Sinsinawa, where he serves on the Parish Council. He is also a member of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, the Knights of Columbus, the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the newly formed Southwest Wisconsin Young Professionals. He is a graduate of Loras College, and holds degrees in economics and finance. Travis and his wife Stephanie farm in rural Cuba City where they are raising their daughter, Evelyn.

The Republican primary will be held on September 14th and the General Election will be held on November 2nd.

FROM JASON SIMMONS 155 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, PLATTEVILLE, WIS.

Travis Tranel’s leadership is definitely needed in Madison. He ran a great campaign for the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2008, focused on job creation and fixing all the things that are broken in government. In today’s bad economy we need him to [...]]]> Telegraph-Herald – Wednesday, March 17, 2010

FROM JASON SIMMONS 155 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, PLATTEVILLE, WIS.

Travis Tranel’s leadership is definitely needed in Madison. He ran a great campaign for the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2008, focused on job creation and fixing all the things that are broken in government. In today’s bad economy we need him to run more than ever. As a dairy farmer, Travis lives and works in the real world, and I think we need more people in government with that kind of background. Most importantly I know he will get the job done. I can’t wait to vote for Travis.

Telegraph-Herald – Sunday, February 7, 2010

Travis Tranel wants another shot at Phil Garthwaite. But he’s going to have to go through David Kuhle first.

Tranel, a rural Cuba City, Wis., Republican, told the TH last week he “absolutely, without a doubt” will be in [...]]]> Republicans seek to unseat Garthwaite in Wisconsin’s 49th Assembly District.

Telegraph-Herald – Sunday, February 7, 2010

Travis Tranel wants another shot at Phil Garthwaite. But he’s going to have to go through David Kuhle first.

Tranel, a rural Cuba City, Wis., Republican, told the TH last week he “absolutely, without a doubt” will be in the race for Wisconsin’s 49th Assembly District seat, and plans to make it official in the coming months.

Read more >>

Telegraph-Herald – Sunday, January 27, 2008

CUBA CITY, Wis. — Farming is more than a job, it is a way of life.

For many families in agriculture, there are no vacation days, no sick days and no paid holidays.

Sometimes farmers work through the night just to finish [...]]]> No matter the weather, farmers continue their daily duties

Telegraph-Herald – Sunday, January 27, 2008

CUBA CITY, Wis. — Farming is more than a job, it is a way of life.

For many families in agriculture, there are no vacation days, no sick days and no paid holidays.

Sometimes farmers work through the night just to finish their daily chores. Whether they are bringing home the last load of alfalfa before the rain sets in or delivering a newborn calf at midnight, farmers work all shifts necessary to get the job done.

Read more >>

October 24, 2008

With a competent, thoughtful incumbent running for re-election in the 49th Assembly District, a challenger must present an extraordinarily compelling case to earn our endorsement.

Republican Travis Tranel does just that.

First, consider the remarkable resume of this 23-year-old farmer from Cuba City.

With his father suffering from cancer, Tranel began running [...]]]> A Wisconsin State Journal endorsement

October 24, 2008

With a competent, thoughtful incumbent running for re-election in the 49th Assembly District, a challenger must present an extraordinarily compelling case to earn our endorsement.

Republican Travis Tranel does just that.

First, consider the remarkable resume of this 23-year-old farmer from Cuba City.

With his father suffering from cancer, Tranel began running the family dairy farm when he was still in high school. He continued to run the farm as he earned degrees in finance and economics from nearby Loras College.

While attending college, he expanded the farm. Now, at age 23, he runs Tranel Farms USA, which employs five, and he co-owns Fleege Tranel LLC, a hay baling business.

Second, consider how his political priorities match the challenges the state confronts. He wants to bring his business sense and experience to the Legislature to work on “pocketbook” issues: making the state attractive to job-generating businesses and reining in the tax-and-spend approach at the Capitol.

He also shows an articulate command of school funding issues and state limits on local property tax levies.

Tranel is challenging incumbent Democrat Phil Garthwaite, 36, who has represented the district well for two years. But Tranel’s talent, discipline, energy and good judgment make him the better choice for the future.

Read more >>