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Melissa Hughes: “I've spent 17 years working for farmers, so I know how to…”

Featuring: Melissa Hughes, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

From Sheep to State

Published March 29, 2026 | Video Starts at 09:47

It's definitely an advantage all the way. You know, what I would say is I have the opportunity, living here in Viroquia, to really understand what rural Democrats are looking for. I've spent 17 years working for farmers, so I know how to talk to farmers. I've been in the dairy industry, so I'm really connected to the land when it comes to. To understanding what people are looking for from their government. (09:47–09:53)

CLAIM

Asserts 17 years of experience working with farmers.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Melissa Hughes

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“Over 70% of [the businesses started through the Main Street Bounce Back program] were opened by women.”
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“We're definitely an island. Everybody around us has, you know, as you said, legalized [marijuana].”
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“When elected, she'll be the first woman who is the governor of Wisconsin.”
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“Governor Evers announced in July that he was not going to run for re-election.”
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“I saw an opportunity to bring my skills and my experience in building economies, in helping Wisconsin businesses expand to the governor's…”
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“I can point to actual impact that I have had to make those changes and to make those differences around the state.”
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“That's what I want to bring as governor, that pride and that excitement for the future.”
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