The son of immigrant parents who came to the U.S. to escape communism, Yee Leng Xiong said being elected to Wisconsin’s 85th Assembly would be a “dream come true.”
First elected to the D.C. Everest School Board in 2014 at age 19, Xiong went on to win a seat on the Marathon Board of Supervisors in 2016 and on the Village of Weston Board of Trustees in 2018. He continues to serve on the school and county board, but now has his sights set on a new role at the state level.
In an interview with WPR’s Shereen Siewert on “Morning Edition,” Xiong said health care is among his top priorities if he is elected in November. He also vowed to work with lawmakers from both parties to address the needs of residents.
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“What I would love to do, without a doubt, is look toward expanding healthcare and passing bills to address the safety and mental health issues in our community here,” said Xiong, who is running as a Democrat. “I think those are issues we can all find common ground on. I would also work with folks to build consensus and build relationships. Everything comes down to building relationships with folks across the aisle.”
Xiong is challenging Republican Pat Snyder for the seat. Snyder has served four terms and was first elected in 2017.
Professionally, he served as executive director of the Hmong American Center from 2016 until he stepped down earlier this year.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Shereen Siewert: The 85th was redrawn in 2023, eliminating some Marathon County townships. Do you feel that redistricting made this race more competitive?
Yee Leng Xiong: Definitely, yes. With the change, it is now a 50/50 seat. One of the biggest challenges that we’ve always had is the fact that Wisconsin was very gerrymandered under the old maps.
With the new maps now, it makes this seat much more competitive and I’m excited about having conversations with folks at the doors. We’re seeing a lot of progress and a lot of excitement.
SS: How do you plan to address the current budget challenges in Wisconsin, particularly in areas like education and healthcare?
YLX: When it comes to education, we need to become creative. One of the things that I’ve learned from my role as a school board member is always being creative with how we’re funding our programs.
We need to go back and potentially look at the funding formula for our schools.
Regarding healthcare, we need to look into expanding BadgerCare and accepting the dollars that are coming from the federal government to provide healthcare for over 89,000 Wisconsinites, allowing federal dollars that will come back as an investment to the state of Wisconsin.
SS: What specific steps would you take to improve infrastructure in Wisconsin, including broadband access in rural areas?
YLX: For broadband specifically, the Wisconsin State Legislature has not done anything to earmark any dollars towards investment in broadband. The only actions in our local area that have been taken have been by the Marathon County Board.
The state has been really focusing on federal dollars and that doesn’t solve the issues that folks in the 85th are experiencing. One of the things I would love to do is make sure that we earmark dollars towards investing in broadband so that our farmers, folks that live in the rural areas, would have access to broadband.
SS: If you’re elected, how would you work to protect the state’s natural resources?
YLX: One of the things that I want to emphasize is supporting policies and initiatives that focus on protecting clean, safe drinking water.
We need to preserve our natural resources while also supporting outdoor recreation, while looking at developing policies and initiatives that address climate change. At the same time, we need to make sure that our farmers and our agricultural community continues to thrive under those policies.
SS: How would you support initiatives to increase affordable housing options in the district?
YLX: The reason why we have high prices for rent and housing is because of the supply. One of the things what we need to do is to be creative and make sure we have every option at the table. That includes potentially looking at incentives for developers or looking at zoning codes.
We need to make sure that we’re looking at everything and working with Democrats and Republicans to address these issues because we can’t afford to let Wisconsin struggle any further.
This is an issue that’s really impacting folks, whether they’re in the middle class, upper class or lower class. We need to do everything we can here to ensure that this issue is addressed.
SS: With the legislative balance of power up for grabs, what is one specific way you would work with members of the opposing party for the good of your district?
YLX: One of the things that I’m very proud of is the fact that I have a track record of working with folks across the aisle, for example, on the school board. We put aside our partisan politics and we do what’s best for students.
We want to lower the cost of living by addressing child care prices, affordable housing, making sure we’re protecting reproductive rights and also keeping our communities safe. I’m willing to work with folks from across the aisle, Republican and Democrat, to ensure that those issues are addressed.
SS: In September, Wausau Mayor Doug Diny made national headlines when he removed an absentee ballot box from the steps of City Hall. The box has since been returned. What are your feelings on this?
YLX: I joined leaders in our local area here in condemning and denouncing that action. I think it’s a violation of the rules of democracy. We need to make sure that everybody has access to voting. It’s not a partisan issue. It’s about protecting and upholding democracy.
SS: What will it mean to the Hmong community as a whole if you are elected?
YLX: I want to emphasize that when elected, I will be a representative for all. For me it would be a dream come true. I was a child of refugees who came to the United States to escape communism and persecution, and to come to the United States to chase the American dream I’m living.
I’m able to do what I do because of the sacrifices of my parents and those that came before me. But I’m also living my life and living the American dream on behalf of many of those who have not been able to come to the United States, who passed along the way, such as my aunt, who stepped on a land mine and my older brother, who was who was buried at the shores of the Mekong River.
I’m doing what I can here and living this dream in the land of opportunities. I’m thankful to my parents and those who came before me who made this a possibility.
SS: What makes you the best candidate for the seat?
YLX: I am an individual who wants to get things done. I want to make sure I’m a person of action. I look for solutions rather than partisan politics, you know, and I’ve done that many times in my roles as a school board member and as a county board member.
I’m a person who listens. I know the challenges that we face. That’s what makes me the best candidate for this position.
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