Democrat enters the race for the 29th State Senate seat

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – A new Democratic candidate is running for Wisconsin’s 29th State Senate District.

Gillian Battino launched her campaign in Wausau in Memorial Park on Tuesday.

“I am running because I’m worried, but I’m also very hopeful. I’m worried about the future of my family and the families that make up this community,” she said. “I think a lot of us are.”

Battino is a retired physician and breast radiologist. During her career, she worked in Wausau, Marshfield and Madison.

Senate District 29 stretches from Wausau to Marshfield to Wittenberg. It’s currently represented by State Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R – Tomczyk), whom Battino took direct aim at.

“A lot of people in our community are stretched thin. Folks are working hard, but it’s harder and harder to make ends meet, and the government at every level seems unwilling to meet the needs of everyday hard-working families and more focused on the partisan food fighting that got us here in the first place,” she said. “Our current state Senator is no exception to that.” 

Battino previously ran for state Treasurer in 2022, but lost in the primary election. She also ran for U.S. Senate. 

She says she wants to focus on community values instead of partisan issues.

“We deserve good jobs that pay enough to support our families, affordable housing so we can enjoy that stability and security and sense of pride, and health care that does not break the bank,” Battino said.

She also says she’s most excited about the interest she has seen in bringing more Democrats to central Wisconsin. 

“It’s been 10 or 15 years since we’ve had that, and I really feel that the Democratic Party is centering on the things that matter right now,” she said.

Battino is the only Democrat so far to announce her bid for this seat. If another candidate announces, she’d face them on the August primary ballot. Elections for the state Legislature are just over a year away.

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