Wonewoc Farmer Seeks to be a Voice for Rural Wisconsin
Wonewoc, WI – Juneau County organic farmer Tony Kurtz announced on Tuesday that he is running to represent the 50th Assembly district. Kurtz entered the race following fellow Republican Ed Brooks’s retirement from the seat.
“For the last decade, Ed Brooks has been a strong voice for rural Central and Western Wisconsin, and I want to thank him for his service,” said Kurtz. “I’m running for State Representative to continue Ed’s strong legacy. I aim to secure access to rural health care, create more job opportunities, ensure quality local schools, and hold the line on taxes.”
Kurtz, who grows a variety of crops on his 200 acre farm, currently serves on the state’s Organic Advisory Board and was member of the Farm Service Agency State Committee. He understands the importance of agriculture in Western Wisconsin and knows that responsible environmental management can go hand in hand with the economic opportunities that farming brings to our region.
Previously, he served for 20 years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot. Tony’s life of service began right out of high school, enrolling in the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Flight Training Program one month after graduation. In 1986, he began flying Cobra helicopters. Later, he served as Pilot-inCommand during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He went on to fly Apache helicopters and was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 as an accident investigator on Army Aircraft Accidents. He retired from active military service in 2005 and is a life member of the VFW.
“Service is important to me. I’ve served our country on the battlefield, and I’ll bring the same dedication to representing my neighbors,” said Kurtz. “I aim to put my experience as a soldier, farmer, father, husband, and small business owner to work for the people of Central and Western Wisconsin.”
Kurtz lives with his wife, Kim – a nurse anesthetist – on their Wonewoc farm. They have two children: a daughter who completed 2 years at UW-Richland before enrolling at UW Platteville, and a son who will be attending Viterbo this fall.