A longtime Stanley resident and former city council member is seeking election to the State Assembly in District 69.
Roger Halls, 45, moved to Stanley in 2004 upon getting out of the army. A decorated Bronze Star veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, Halls served on the city council from 2012-2017, being married to Stanley-Boyd graduate Carrie Pahl and father to three daughters. He seeks the 69th district as a Democrat, facing Karen Hurd of Thorp (Republican) and Joshua Steven Kelley (Independent) of Greenwood this fall. A potential fourth challenger, Isaac Hunt of Thorp (Family, Freedom, and Farmers), was still pending candidacy approval from the Wisconsin Election Commission at press time.
As for Halls, he is a transplant to the area, being married to wife and Stanley-Boyd graduate Carrie Pahl, with three daughters.
“I moved to Stanley in 2004 when I got out of the Army,” Halls shared recently. “I am a decorated two-tour Afghanistan/Iraq Veteran with a Bronze Star for my actions. My wife, Carrie (Pahl) Halls, was born and raised here, and we decided this would be the place to raise our children. We love our community and have loved watching our children grow and attend school here.”
As to background, Halls points to his prior service on the city council and work with charity organizations among his qualifications.
“I sat on the Stanley City Council for close to six years and I enjoyed trying to make and keep Stanley the best place to raise our children,” he said. “I have since worked with many charity organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Wisconsin, Wisconsin Fathers for Children and Families, Children’s Miracle Network, and others, including groups that help support veteran outreach and increase access to mental health support. Having dealt with PTSD myself, I am deeply passionate about supporting those who have served and working towards preventing suicide within the veteran community. There is a lot of work to be done in Wisconsin to support access to mental healthcare, especially for our veterans and rural areas.”
Above all, Halls says he is running because by believes in leading by example.
“I am running because I believe in leading by example,” Halls said.
“We must stop the nonsense bickering with each other and return to being neighbors. Regardless of what others may say, we are all on the same team here, we are residents of District 69, Wisconsin, and the United States of America. We all want what is best and we should be able to work toward that goal. I will work to keep politicians out of private medical decisions. I will work to be an ally of our public schools to ensure that our teachers are well taken care of and that our public schools are appropriately funded to care for our children while they are there. I believe everyone should pay their fair share of taxes and ensure that tax money is appropriately spent before any taxes are raised. I will work to find solutions to address rising costs for families across Wisconsin, who like mine, are looking for support as they see the bills on the kitchen table. I am willing to work across the aisle to find common ground on policy that helps uplift our community and the 69th District.” A campaign website and social media page have been set up, the website address being hallsforwi.com.
More information on each of the candidates will be made available as the fall election approaches.