Tom Palzewicz wants to Flip the 5th Congressional District Seat Blue
For 40 years Jim Sensenbrenner has been in office as the 5th Congressional District seat in Wisconsin. Tom Palzewicz, who ran against Sensenbrenner in 2018, is now running for Sensenbrenner’s seat once again. Palzewicz said even though he lost, him and his team had kept their contacts, resources and knowledge and stored them for a possibility to run once again.
Republican Sensenbrenner announced his retirement on Sept., 4, 2019 and Palzewicz is looking to take the seat as a Democratic candidate. According to Palzewicz, Sensenbrenner has been in office since before he was 18 years old and Palzewicz said that isn’t right.
“It just makes sense to run again,” said Palzewicz. “We have a really established team.”
Tom Palzewics. (Picture by Nyesha Stone)
Palzewicz has three issues he wants to focus on if elected: gun violence prevention, the climate crisis and healthcare.
He said it’s time to actually admit we’re in a crisis and to have someone in office who represents the people effectively. Palzewicz said climate change is the number one crisis facing the planet. As a member of the baby boomer generation, Palzewicz says he feels embarrassed for himself and his generation.
“We’re leaving a mess,” he said to the younger generations. One of the first things he wants to focus on is getting back in the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which the President opted out of. Palzewicz wants to invest in renewable, solar and wind energy.
“Growing green jobs is good for our economy,” he said.
As for gun violence prevention, Palzewicz says it starts with universal background checks. He said it’s too easy and quick for someone to get a gun and then the same day be able to use it.
Speaking of universal, Palzewicz wants universal healthcare. He said healthcare shouldn’t be tied to employment, especially when so many people are freelancing and are on contract. Palzewicz believes it would be most cost effective to make sure everyone is covered.
“We’re better than this,” Palzewicz said about the current status of the healthcare system. He also added that medicinal marijuana needs to be legalized.
Palzewicz is from the Northside of Milwaukee but grew up in Brown Deer. He said his degree in accounting helps him measure results; understand the concept of how to get and spend money; and it taught him out to understand the economy.
The first time around people didn’t really know Palzewicz, but now he’s confident he has a good enough backing, team and drive to to flip the seat blue.
“I’m somebody who wants to listen to what [the people] need,” said Palzewicz.
Wisconsin’s vote plays a really big role in the upcoming 2020 elections, which can be affected by who takes the 5th Congressional seat.
To contact Tom Palzewicz, email his campaign at info@tomforwi.com or visit here.