Top 3 reasons to support Yuri Rashkin for the 44th Assembly District

1. The right skills.

I bring people together. As a business person and a leader of community organizations, I know that we succeed by working together. For too long, Madison has been a place where good ideas go to die in the partisan machinery, and it needs to stop. Whether a union or a business association, success comes from teamwork and no one succeeds on their own. As a leader, I keep my eyes on the goal, while searching for ways to help others understand why joint success is good for all participants. No one wins by crushing an opponent. In the long term, we win by working together to achieve a successful outcome. By acknowledging that which we have in common, by bridging our differences, we build relationships, and commit to finding win-win outcomes.

I am a creative problem solver. From creating the Janesville Mile as a marketing tool to bring business to Janesville to the Janesville Area Creativity (JAC) Awards, I look for ways to bring the right result and recognize achievement. In solving a problem I try to:

• Look at the big picture 
• Maximize the number of people who would benefit from a change 
• Communicate good will and be transparent 

I listen to ideas of others. I don't have all the answers. Nobody does. But I know that there are smart people who have given a lot of thought to addressing the important problems that face all of us, and sometimes the best thing I can do is to listen and to make these ideas a reality. I have done this on the Janesville City Council and I will do this in the Assembly.

I ask questions. I ask a lot of questions. Because when we are asked to make important decisions, it is important to have as much information and different perspectives as possible. You can count on me to continue to ask questions and to come up with thoughtful and practical legislation in the Assembly.

I persevere until I succeed. We need someone in Madison who will know what is important and will continue to work hard until the right result is reached. Since my childhood when I spent many hours perfecting my skills as a musician, I understand that success does not come from merely wishing it were so. Success comes from a lot of hard work. I want to bring this quality to Madison.

2. Track record

I have been on the Janesville City Council for 4 years. Examine my track record of votes, decisions, initiatives and you will see that I am fiscally conservative when it comes to spending and I believe in preserving what we have. For instance, I opposed building a new ice arena, and I supported making improvements to the existing facility. The truth, I believe, is usually found in the middle and that is where you will find me.

I stand up for Janesville. These are no ordinary times and they call for leaders who will stand up and speak up. I spoke at protest rallies and wrote editorials objecting to Scott Walker's woefully inadequate policies. Being your representative, standing up to powerful bullies, is my fundamental duty, which I take very seriously.

3. Real world experience

Born in Moscow, Russia, I came to the United States as a refugee, a kid who did not speak any English. Since then I earned an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Utah and the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. I started and owned a business for nearly 10 years and have been self-employed for over 15 years. I volunteer for many different causes and groups in our community. I have been involved in organizing festivals and fundraisers, such as Music for Haiti, Janesville Area Creativity Awards and ArtsFest. I am also a member and past president of the Janesville Noon Lions.

I would be honored to have your vote.

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