A Labor and Industry Leader
Jay Schmelling most recently served in Business Development for the Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association. Jay's construction industry experience in negotiation, leveraging, consensus building and business development give him a unique perspective on what it takes to create job growth. "A middle class economy is developed by nurturing small business just like in the construction industry where the average contractor has 10 employees," he said. The time Jay has spent working from both sides of the collective bargaining process over his 30-year career gives him the requisite experience to serve the 35th District by working with everyone in the Assembly, regardless of party. As he simply puts it, "A good idea is a good idea, I don't care where it comes from."
In his active role with the Bio-Industry Alliance, Jay has worked tirelessly to promote a strong commitment to renewable energy. He contends that with the ever-increasing cost of fuel and the demand for alternative fuels, North-Central Wisconsin is positioned to prosper from its diverse resources, and engage in a relatively untapped renewable fuel market within the energy sector. This will provide the area with new family supporting jobs.
Committed to Family and Community
Jay resides with his wife, Debbie, in the Lincoln County Town of Pine River near the Langlade and Marathon County lines. They have four adult children, and four grandchildren. The couple attends St. John the Baptist Parish in Bloomville where Jay serves on the Maintenance Committee, sings in the choir, and is in his ninth year as director of the Parish carnival.
Jay is deeply concerned over the loss of family supporting jobs and access to affordable healthcare throughout the community. He also understands the profound impact this has on small main street business owners and their families. Jay recognizes that a community is not just a geographic location; "it's an interrelated group of people whose individual actions influence the lives of everyone in the community."
What People Are Saying About Jay Schmelling
"I like Jay's approach to changing the way business is conducted in Madison. He is open to new ideas and understands that people of the district expect our representatives to focus on the merit of an idea rather than on its party of origin." -Tom Koth, Retired Republican Lincoln County Sheriff
"This just demonstrates we have a candidate in Jay Schmelling who will represent all the people of our district. His legislative principles remind me of Representative Tom Ourada who I and many other Langlade County Democrats supported even though he was a Republican." -Tom Bauknecht, Chair of the Langlade County Democratic Party
"I like Jay's bipartisan demeanor on issues important to the people of his district. He is very concerned about families who are unable to find jobs and affordable health coverage. Jay is passionate about findng a solution and I think he will become a leader on this issue." -Herbert "Bert" Grover, Retired Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction