I am Lisa White, Wisconsin’s 17th District Senate Candidate
Growing Up in Wisconsin
As the firstborn of seven children on our working family farm just outside of Potosi, Wisconsin, my concern for others came naturally. My father retired after 30 years at John Deere Tractor Works where he was a member of the United Auto Workers; our family relied on the union benefits his job provided. My mother dedicated herself to being a professional mom- also excelling as a gardener, seamstress, cook, tutor, and artist- and achieved directorship with Mary Kay Cosmetics, earning two free cars through her hard work and leadership. Lively political discussions were a staple at our family’s supper table, sparking my early interest in current events and community life. We were always working, building, and achieving results on our acreage atop the Mississippi bluffs, a setting that fostered both a strong work ethic and a deep sense of responsibility. I am grateful for these values, which I will bring with me as your senator.
Young Adulthood
After graduating from Potosi High School in 1979, I attended Southwest Wisconsin Technical College where I earned a cosmetology manager’s license. I eventually went on to operate my own salon. I got married and welcomed my first daughter. My second daughter, however, was born with a critical congenital condition and tragically passed away at just four and a half months old. During a subsequent pregnancy I became acutely aware of the importance of healthcare choices and the impact of Roe v. Wade, as I realized I might need to make difficult decisions regarding my own health and that of my unborn child. Eventually, I returned to college at UW-Platteville and SW Technical College where I became a registered nurse. My professional experience with grief, brain health, and addiction was transformative, giving me a much broader and more empathetic understanding of people and their fundamental right to health care.
Community Service
Several years later, a second marriage brought three stepchildren and a new business opportunity in the building trades. As a small, family-run enterprise, we wore many hats and employed others, which made for long and demanding days as we navigated all aspects of business ownership while raising a blended family. During this time, I also served as the President of the Potosi Chamber of Commerce, including the final phases of the Potosi Brewery and National Museum project, a significant community initiative that revitalized the historic brewery and established it as a cultural and economic hub for the area. Economic development, housing, and family needs are critical priorities I am committed to addressing in my Senate campaign.
Creating a New Plan
Over 20 years later, in 2015, I had to start over, reinventing my life at age 54. Driven by equal parts of fear and grit, I created an entirely new plan and launched The Painter Lady LLC with just my SUV, a ladder, basic tools, and my experience in the trades. I began serving clients in Southwest Wisconsin and the Dubuque, Iowa area. Within several years, the business grew to include a half dozen employees and subcontractors. After continued growth, my son became my business partner in 2022 as we opened a second location in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area. Shortly thereafter, his wife left her teaching position to become our office manager. In 2025, my sister and her significant other joined us as project managers, further strengthening our family business.
The very first year that my business, The Painter Lady LLC, exceeded $1 million in gross sales, I learned that only 1.9% of all woman-owned businesses reach that milestone according to Forbes.com (October 2024). I am dedicated to increasing that percentage for both women and minorities by seeking and implementing more economic and growth opportunities.
The Passion that Lights My Path
My two adult children married incredible spouses, and each family has four children. Among my eight grandchildren, three have been diagnosed with autism-a broad and complicated condition that has inspired a new mission in our hearts. On April 2, 2025, my granddaughter Corrinne, was a featured speaker at the Wisconsin State Capital for World Autism Awareness Day.
My daughter is a middle school educator in a Wisconsin district. Like many educators, she faces the challenges such as underfunding, mistreatment of marginalized students, book banning, and confrontations with groups like Moms of Liberty. The 2018 dismantling of the teachers’ union left educators with little recourse to improve their working conditions. My goal is to help rebuild this essential organization, redirect funds away from school voucher programs, and strengthen public education in Wisconsin.
I feel a deep sense of mission to serve my family-including my elderly parents-and to defend our democracy. I will draw upon my experiences, knowledge, and core values to give a voice to the people of the 17th District. Every community deserves the opportunity to be heard and I am committed to listening. The information I gather from you will become our collective strength. I am dedicated to becoming your Senator and representing your interests with integrity and passion.
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Support Wisconsin District 17 Senate candidate Lisa White in her journey to bring positive change to our community! Your generous donation will help fund her campaign, ensuring she can connect with voters, spread her message, and fight for the issues that matter most to our families. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in building a brighter future for Wisconsin.