Roger Roth - 56th Assembly Rep Interview 10/1

Election profile: 56th Assembly District candidate biographies

What's at stake: Voters in the largely rural 56th Assembly District will chose Nov. 7 from a pair of first-time candidates. They are Democrat Susan Garcia Franz, 34, of the Town of Menasha, and Republican Roger Roth Jr., 28, of Grand Chute.

The 56th District includes the towns of Center, Grand Chute, Greenville, Dale, Neenah, Clayton, Winchester, Wolf River, Poygan, Winneconne and Vinland, five wards in northwest Appleton, the village of Winneconne and part of the Town of Menasha.

The victor will serve a two-year term starting in January at an annual salary of $47,413.

Why are you running?
Garcia Franz: I hear stories every day from women who have to decide whether or not to go see a doctor for some of their health problems. I really want to turn that around and work toward getting health care available for everyone in the state.

Roth: I want to make a difference. Together with the residents of the 56th District, I know I can provide leadership (in addressing) high taxes and high health insurance costs.

What sets you apart from your opponent?
Garcia Franz: I'm a wife, mother and homeowner in the district. And I really have a lot of experience working with the health care problem.

Roth: He believes he better represents the district's beliefs "in life, in family values, in low taxes."

What's the key issue in the race and what would you do about it?
Garcia Franz: Affordable health care has got to be the No. 1 priority in the state. By putting us all together in one program, we can bring down the administrative costs. We'll simplify that process and put the savings right back into health care.

Roth: High taxes are a problem in Wisconsin. We're the 5th-highest taxed state in the country. We're going to have to make some tough choices. We're going to have to do what we can to reduce spending and bring relief.

Garcia Franz is available at her home, 920-727-1005, by email at vote@susangarcia franz.com, or at her Web site, http://www.susangarciafranz.com/.

Roth can be reached at his home, 920-734-6902, or by email at rothforassembly@ yahoo.com

From the Appleton Post Crescent: http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/APC0104/310010018/0/APC0101