Michele Magadance Skinner Visited Local College Classes
Wisconsin State Senate candidate Michele Magadance Skinner spoke to students at UW-Eau Claire this month.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Elections
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Wisconsin State Senate candidate Michele Magadance Skinner visited political science classes at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on October 2, 2026. Skinner is currently running to represent the 31st District in the Wisconsin State Senate.
Why it matters
The visit highlights the ongoing campaign efforts of Skinner, who previously served on the Lake Altoona District Board and currently sits on the Eau Claire County Board. Her candidacy follows a history of local political involvement, including an unsuccessful bid for the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2024.
Skinner serves as one of 29 members on the Eau Claire County Board and previously lost a Wisconsin State Assembly election by approximately 1,000 votes in 2024. Additionally, a tax hike extension vetoed by Governor Tony Evers in 2024 now extends through 2425.
The players
Michele Magadance Skinner
She is a current Eau Claire County Board member and a candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate in the 31st District.
Jodi Emerson
She is a Wisconsin State Assembly member who defeated Skinner in the November 2024 election.
Tony Evers
He is the Governor of Wisconsin who issued a partial veto regarding a tax hike extension in 2024.
The details
Skinner, who began her political path as chair of the Lake Altoona District Board in 2021, engaged with students across three separate political science classes. She transitioned to county-level politics in 2024 and utilizes her background in broadcast journalism to inform her approach to gathering data.
Timeline
Skinner became chair of the Lake Altoona District Board in July 2021.
Skinner was elected to the Eau Claire County Board in April 2024.
Skinner lost the Wisconsin State Assembly election in November 2024.
Skinner visited UW-Eau Claire political science classes on October 2, 2026.
The tax hike extension end date was moved to 2425 following a gubernatorial veto.
Political Context
The 31st District race exists within the shadow of the Governor Tony Evers 2024 tax hike extension veto, which sets a fiscal timeline reaching into the 25th century. Opposition groups frequently cite such executive actions as prime examples of state-level overreach into local tax matters.
Residents in the 31st District will see the impact of this Senate race on local legislative priorities, including how representatives handle disputes similar to the sediment concerns at Lake Altoona. Voters should note that state-level policy decisions, such as tax extensions, directly influence their local fiscal burden.
The takeaway
Candidates often seek engagement with university students to build name recognition and articulate their platforms ahead of general elections. Residents should monitor how such candidates address specific local infrastructure concerns alongside broader state-level legislative agendas.
Further reading
Learn more about local races at the Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Spectator.
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