Emily Berge
DemocraticQ1 America has a growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry, supporting cutting edge innovation and reshaping businesses, but raising concerns about education, ownership, and security. Application of AI technology has increased the demand placed on data centers, controversial for their resource use (such as water and land) and raising utility costs. What are your policy positions in regards to data centers and AI? What sources of evidence informed these positions?
I support a meaningful moratorium on data centers so that local, state, and federal regulations may be implemented: regular folks must not see their rates increase, we must protect our natural resources and the peace of our communities, and these developments must use renewable energies to generate most of their energy needs. We also need to address the demand side of this equation and place human protections on the use of AI. As a mental health provider, I have seen the harmful effects of generative AI, particularly on our youth. Whether it be the shortcutting of our education system or unauthorized use of our personal images, AI must be regulated.
One of the reasons I support a moratorium on data centers and guardrails on the use of AI is that we do not have enough evidence yet on all of the potential harm that these structures and systems might have. As the only candidate with local elected experience, I value deeply the input from our local communities and believe that we have to give our communities a say in these massive developments.
KEYWORDS: Protect our people
Q2 Making the US competitive in the bioeconomy (using technology applied to renewable biological resources to produce food, energy and industrial goods) requires innovation and investments in business, academia and government. Please describe policies you will support, if any, that relate to workforce development in Wisconsin’s strengths such as agriculture, biotechnology, and energy; and explain their rationale.
In Congress, I will invest in high quality jobs in America, and particularly in Wisconsin. We should be leading the way in innovative practices that increase food production and efficiency while properly caring for the long-term health of our natural resources. I also believe that we must be investing in renewable energies, not just the energy generation, but also the infrastructure to support electrification. Wisconsin has seen the harmful impacts of lost manufacturing jobs, I would like to support these vacant spaces to become thriving hubs of economic growth with production of everything from electric vehicles to the mounting brackets for residential solar panels. Any decision on these policies will include experts and those most impacted at the table, I will always put Wisconsinites first.
KEYWORDS: Invest in local infrastructure
Q3 Wisconsin’s public K-12 education systems have seen a significant decline in the past two decades, with more than 600 public schools closing and statewide student enrollment dropping 7%. These impacts have been especially pronounced in Wisconsin’s many rural counties, where opportunities for STEM education are already fewer. What policies, if any, would you support to improve K-12 education for students across Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has been a case study for privatization of public goods and the harmful impacts vouchers have had on our public schools, our kids, and our communities. In Congress, I will fight against any attempts at a national voucher program, I will fight to increase special education funding, and I will fight to reduce childcare costs and increase investments in public post-high school opportunities.
As City Council President in Eau Claire, I authored and passed legislation to provide transparency on our tax bills about how much money is leaving our community and going to voucher schools. I believe that families should be able to decide where there children go to school, but public dollars should stay with public schools. In Congress, I will continue to work with state and local partners to support our public schools and deliver the special education funding that is promised by the federal government.
KEYWORDS: Fund public schools
Q5 If elected, in what capacities would you refer to scientists when you are deciding how to vote on a policy?
I believe that those closest to the problems are closest to the solutions and I will ensure that scientists and other experts are at the table when making policy decisions.
KEYWORDS: Empower local leaders
Q6 In 2025 alone, the National Institute on Health (NIH) awarded over $575 million for research grants and contracts to Wisconsin universities and hospitals, which directly supported over 6,500 jobs and generated an estimated $1.37 billion of economic activity. However, federal funding cuts for science research and agencies like the NIH and National Science Foundation leave the future for scientific research less assured. What policies, if any, do you support or plan to implement to promote continued funding for scientific research?
I believe in using public dollars to support our communities and one of the most successful ways to improve our lives and build local economies is to fund research at public universities and labs. I will fight for a budget that restores research grants to public institutions. As the only candidate with local-elected experience, I have worked hand-in-hand with our universities to build partnerships that improve both our universities and communities.
Our budget is a moral document, I believe that what makes our country strong is investing in our people and communities. In Congress, I will push for budgets that improve quality of life, make life more affordable, and uplift communities. I would be proud to fund research grants to improve our health and economic outcomes.
KEYWORDS: Improve our communities