WC Wisconsin News

As a crowd that included other public office holders, judges and everyday voters looked on, Gov. Tony Evers pointed to who he sees as the real winners during the recent swearing-in ceremony marking the start of his second term.

"Given the opportunity to abandon the virtues that define us, Wisconsinites chose to embrace a better history," Evers said in a press release.

In the hours before the ceremony officially minting him as the state’s 46th governor kicked off, Evers took to Twitter to add, “I'm taking my oath of office again today with a grateful heart – for your trust, for your faith and for your confidence in me. As jazzed as I am today, I am also humbled.”

Evers also marked the occasion by recommitting to his push for change, highlighting the issue of abortion as one of the areas where he feels the most work is needed.

"We must restore the freedoms that Wisconsinites had until June 23, 2022, the day before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade,” he said. “And I believe that together we will.”

The veteran lawmaker also made it a point of reemphasizing his commitment to his long-held vision of smaller classrooms and a publicly funded education system. Evers also turned his attention to his crusade for legal marijuana, saying the state is doing itself a disservice by not moving to adapt to the times.

"We must have a meaningful conversation about treating marijuana much like we do alcohol," he said.

As a born-and-raised local, Evers also discussed how he’s remained connected with the voters of the state and the reason why so many of them again turned out at the polls to support him.

“People voted because they believe, as I do, that when we deliver tax relief, it should be targeted to the middle class to give working families a little breathing room in their family budget, not to give big breaks to millionaires and billionaires who don’t need the extra help to afford rising costs,” he said. "People voted because they believe, as I do, that we should expand BadgerCare and work to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.”