Seat currently held by Tomahawk Republican Calvin Callahan
By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
MERRILL – Merrill resident Todd Frederick recently announced that he will run as an Independent to represent Wisconsin’s 35th Assembly District.
The 35th Assembly District covers all of Lincoln County and portions of Marathon, Oneida, Langlade and Shawano counties.
The district is currently represented by Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk), who launched his reelection bid earlier this year.
Frederick was described in a release from his campaign as “an entrepreneur, business owner, husband, father and graduate of NTC.”
Frederick and his wife, Renea, have each previously run for the 35th Assembly District seat, attempting to unseat incumbent Republican candidates.
In 2002, Frederick ran for the seat on the Democratic ticket against then-incumbent Don Friske, who ultimately won reelection.
Renea Frederick ran on the Democratic ticket for the seat in 2016 against then-incumbent Mary Cjaza (now Felzkowski). Felzkowski ultimately emerged as the winner.
The release said Frederick was motivated by his “frustration with the current state of our politics” to enter the race this year as an Independent.
The release said Frederick was motivated by his “frustration with the current state of our politics” to enter the race as an Independent.
“I think we have all seen the split between us widen over the past decade with neither side willing to talk to the other, while nothing of real importance ever gets done,” Frederick stated in the release. “I have not felt represented in Madison for an exceptionally long time and I know of many others that feel the same. Worse yet, many of our younger generations feel it does not matter if they vote, they feel disenfranchised and that there is no future. Well, the best thing about our future is that it is not yet written. The future is what we make it, but it is important that you vote. That is what keeps democracy strong. We can change the direction of our state with your help.”
Frederick said he believes “we all share the same important values; family, fairness, helping others when they are in need, honesty, hard work, good public education, freedom and faith.”
“I believe these are the core values we in the Northwoods all share, and they do not belong to just one party,” he stated. “These values are in short supply in Madison, and it is time they got restored.”
Frederick was born and raised in Merrill.
“He learned his work ethic at the early age of nine helping his father on his milk routes picking up can and later bulk milk from farms in Price, Oneida and Lincoln counties,” the release stated. “He remembers getting up at 4:30 a.m. and not getting home until after 5 p.m. When not helping his father during the summer months, he would spend time on some these same farms doing chores and making hay. His mother worked just as hard in the home raising three children and working outside the home in retail.”
Frederick graduated from NTC in Wausau and worked for 14 years as an engineering manager for a large company in Wausau, according to the release. In 1996, he and his wife, Renea, started their own company in Merrill that eventually grew to employ 50 people.
“The company continues to flourish and is a dedicated supporter of the community,” the release said.
“We all have a right to chase the American dreams of owning a home, getting an affordable post high school degree, having a job or a career that provides a living wage or starting a business,” Frederick stated. “I have been blessed to have achieved all of these and I want to help anyone who wants to achieve these same dreams. I believe these are the things that not only help people succeed but will also help our rural communities grow and flourish.”