MILWAUKEE, WI — Cindy Werner, a military veteran, former compliance property director, and longtime civic leader, announced that she is seeking the Republican nomination for Wisconsin secretary of state.
Werner said her campaign will focus on election accountability, voter education, and transparency in election-related processes.
“A constitutional republic depends on fair elections that are administered according to the law and accountable to the people,” Werner said. “Voters deserve clear rules, consistent enforcement, and factual information about what appears on their ballot.”
Werner, a military veteran, has been involved in voter education and grassroots civic engagement efforts across Wisconsin, including work related to statewide referendums and ballot initiatives. She previously ran statewide for Lieutenant Governor in 2022, placing third in a nine-candidate field, and has continued working on election integrity and voter education since 2023. Since that time, she has also worked on civic education initiatives connected to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, focusing on constitutional literacy, historical understanding, and informed civic participation.
While the Secretary of State does not directly administer elections, the office plays a role in recordkeeping, certification, and public transparency. Werner said the office should serve as a constitutional check that promotes accountability, clarity, and adherence to statute.
If elected, Werner said she would work with legislators to pursue reforms that strengthen accountability in election oversight, including legislation that would establish the Secretary of State as a clearly accountable constitutional officer for election-related processes. She said the goal is to ensure voters know who is responsible for oversight decisions, noting that the Wisconsin Elections Commission is an unelected body and therefore not directly accountable to voters.
Her campaign priorities include expanding plain-language voter education on ballot questions and constitutional amendments, strengthening transparency in certification and records, and advocating for consistent application of election law.
Werner is seeking election in 2026.
Last Update: Feb 03, 2026 5:42 am CST
