Small Town and Rural Seniors (STARS) Governor Candidates Town Hall
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 1-3 pm | Ho-Chunk Convention Center, Baraboo, WI
Seniors from small towns and rural communities across Wisconsin are coming together on
Saturday July 25, to share their experiences with aging in Wisconsin and question candidates
about how they would address challenges and seize opportunities as Wisconsin’s next governor.
Today, there are already more than one million Wisconsinites who are 65 and older. Seniors are
the fastest growing age group in the state, and by 2030 there will be 1.3 million seniors in
Wisconsin.
Despite this rapid growth, no candidate running for governor has articulated a comprehensive plan
for investing in seniors and their families.
The Small Town and Rural Seniors (STARS) Governor Candidates Town Hall is an opportunity
for Wisconsin seniors to tell the candidates what they expect from the next governor of the state
and for candidates to answer questions about how they plan to improve the lives of seniors and
the communities they live in.
Candidates will answer questions from seniors about such issues as profiteering in healthcare,
improving housing and transportation, growing and strengthening the care workforce, and
expanding intergenerational care across the state.
Candidates who have committed to the town hall:
● Francesca Hong
● Joel Brennan
● Kelda Roys
● Andrew Manske
● Sara Rodriguez
All candidates from all parties who have qualified for the August 11 primary have
been invited to participate.
Free buses to the event are available from Tomahawk, Merrill, Wausau/Rothschild, Stevens
Point, and Elkhorn, with other stops being added as need demands. Attendees can save a seat
upon registration.
Website & Registration: https://www.stars-wi.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WiSTARS
Several STARS leaders are available for comment. Reach out to Gwen or Tom at the email below.