Paul Ryan is going to be a great Vice President. He brings a record of leadership and personal integrity that we need in Washington. Nobody understands the federal budget better than Paul, or has worked harder to develop and offer real solutions to the fiscal challenges facing America.

Paul will be a tremendous asset to Governor Romney in crafting policy and helping get legislation passed through Congress. I will look forward to working with Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan to repeal Obamacare and instill fiscal discipline in Washington so that we can restore real, self-sustaining private sector growth to America.

August 9th, 2011. Jennifer Shilling defeats Dan Kapanke in the middle of one of the most divisive periods in Wisconsin political history.

It's one year later, and it's time for the rest of us to speak up.

People are speaking up. They're telling me with passion and conviction every day on the campaign trail that they're tired of negative campaigns, dirty politics, and endless recalls.

People are ready for a leader. They're ready for a candidate who shares his vision for the future, not one who wins by getting on TV and attacking their opponent.

People are eager to talk with a candidate who speaks the truth.

Most of all, people are ready to vote for a candidate who stays positive and believes the best is yet to come for western Wisconsin.

I attended a luncheon for Tommy Thompson in La Crosse on Friday. He is as feisty as ever–even at 70. What he had to say answered any lingering questions about his ability to run a good campaign and go on to serve six years in the U.S. Senate. Some will say he is too old, but if you had listened to him you would swear he looks and sounds like he's not a day over 60. He looks even better in person than when photographed.

He tells a convincing narrative about who he is and what he’s done for Wisconsin during 38 years of public service. He’s clear as a bell explaining why he would like to be Wisconsin’s next senator. Without notes or teleprompter. His policy positions can be found at his website: http://tommyforwisconsin.com.

 On Tuesday, we had a great Wisconsin cookout at the Executive Residence where about 100 lawmakers from both political parties came together to eat some hot brats and burgers as well as drink some cold Wisconsin beer. This social gathering was a great way to renew old friendships and start new ones with officials from both parties.

My wife, Tonette, came up with the idea for a brat summit to bring folks together and was instrumental in making it a success. Donations of food and beer were made from more than 20 different employers from across the state, which helped make it an authentic Wisconsin get-together.

While Tonette helped organize this great event, I worked the grill to serve all the legislators, their spouses, and their staff. The entire event was a nice way to start to come together to move Wisconsin forward.

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the 94th State Assembly district which includes the following portions of La Crosse County; City of Onalaska, Towns of Bangor, Barre, Burns, Farmington, Greenfield, Hamilton, Holland, Medary, Onalaska, Shelby, Washington, and the Villages of Bangor, Holmen, Rockland, and West Salem.

I am the third son and one of four children born to Steve and Diane Hintz of Onalaska and have been a lifelong resident of the Coulee Region. I am an Eagle Scout, graduated in the class of 1997 from Onalaska High School, and earned a degree from Western in Supervisory Management. After graduation from Western I continued my education at Viterbo and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Management and Information Technology.