Nelson, Lundt Share Local Election Wisdom

Diane Bast

Fox Valley Initiative (FVI) held its monthly public forum on November 3, 2025 at Freedom Project Academy in Appleton on the topic, “How to Be a Conservative and Run for School Board.” Jeff Nelson of Wrightstown and Drew Lundt of Clintonville presented their election experiences and subsequent perspectives on their school board service. Several newer and younger candidates for local office were in attendance to learn from the speakers.

Implementation of the President Biden-initiated changes to Title IX was a hot-button issue in the election cycles of both Jeff and Drew. Those changes would allow boys in girls sports and boys in girls locker rooms, and vice versa. The conservatives on the Wrightstown school board were able to prevent full implementation of those changes to Title IX.

State report cards—the measurement of reading and math abilities of 4^th and 8^th graders in public schools—is another hot-button issue that energizes conservatives. The standards have been changed and lowered over the past five years, masking a worsening issue in the education of young Wisconsin students.

Jeff and Drew discussed the necessity of having a network of family, friends, and other supporters to assist in a campaign for school board. The importance of door-knocking and personally shaking hands was emphasized. A strong presence on social media such as Facebook is helpful, as is running as part of a slate of conservative candidates.

Wisconsin School Leaders for Excellence is a growing resource for those considering a run for school board. It is the conservative alternative to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards.

Coming Up

FVI recently received 501c4 status and is changing its name to Fox Valley Conservatives (FVC). The mission of FVC is to inform and activate the voting public.

State Senator André Jacque will discuss the potential impacts of the 2026 election cycle on the partisan balance of the state legislature. Pam Van Handel, chairperson of the Outagamie County GOP, has been invited to review elections for school boards and county supervisors. Josh Schoemann, GOP candidate for Governor, will speak about his campaign and review his successful five-year tenure as Washington County Executive, where he has been able to reduce the county government by 25%, without property tax increases, and without loss of services.