Patrick Testin, a local sales professional and organizer of the Republican Party of Portage County, announced his candidacy for Wisconsin’s 24th Senate District Wednesday, Jan. 6, and launched a campaign website at www.patricktestin.com.

“We need action and leadership in the legislature to create jobs, grow the economy, and train a young workforce, not complaints and finger-pointing,” Testin said. “I am a leader who believes in lower taxes, simplified regulations and local control in education to tackle the challenges facing the 24th Senate District and Wisconsin.”

Visitors of the website are encouraged to take the 24th Senate District Constituent Survey, where they can share the challenges they face, ask questions and identify issues most important to them.

Testin said he will answer questions collected on his website and on his Facebook page throughout the campaign through online videos and posts.

“As a young professional working full-time, paying off student loans, and paying a mortgage, I share the struggle of many hard-working members of this district,” Testin said. “We need to take immediate action to address the student loan debt crisis and skills gap without unfairly burdening future generations with debt.

“I’m looking forward to a community-based, crowd-sourced campaign that focuses on issues important to voters, not the partisan politics of Madison,” Testin said. “It’s time voters get the chance to elect a real leader who moves the community and state forward together.”

If necessary, a primary for the Republican nomination will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9. The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.

The seat is currently held by Julie Lassa, who has spent nearly two decades in the State Legislature in Madison.