Fred Clark runs for Wisconsin’s 7th District

Former Wisconsin State Legislator Fred Clark is running for Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District. He’s running to replace Tom Tiffany, who’s running for Wisconsin governor. 

Clark has lived and worked in Wisconsin for 35 years, working as a forester and a land manager. He represented Sauk and Marquette county in the state Assembly for three terms. 

He announced his campaign for the 7th Congressional District in October. The District covers more than two dozen counties in the Wisconsin Northwoods.

“Overall I think Congress is not doing its job, and I made a decision that I think I can do better than what we’re experiencing right now, and people deserve better,” says Clark.

He stopped by the WBZH studios for an interview last week. WBZH asked Clark about the Forestry Revitalization Act, a proposal to fund an aviation biogas facility using pulp wood in Hayward. While it’s a state proposal, rather than a federal one, it’s a topic of interest for the Hayward community. And Clark says it’s an opportunity to have a strong forest products industry.

“Our pulp and paper industry, which has always been sort of a pillar of the Wisconsin forest economy, well that’s been declining. Fewer people are using paper anymore. So, we need to find other uses for our products and sustainable aviation fuel is a really important opportunity,” says Clark.

While Clark supports the project, he’s critical of the state’s plan to offer the  $150 million grant. He says he would prefer to see it structured as a tax credit that can be earned.

If Clark advances from the Democratic primary in August, he would go on to face Republican Jessie Ebben in the general election November 3, 2026.