About Rachael Dowling | WI 53rd Assembly District Candidate

Hello, I’m Rachael Dowling. I live in Menasha, Wisconsin, where my husband and I are raising and homeschooling our four boys. We’ve called Menasha home for more than a decade now, and this community has shaped so much of who we are - not just as a family, but in how we show up for others.

I’m the kind of person who can’t “unsee” a problem once I notice it. Especially when it impacts public safety, families, and quality of life. That mindset is what pushed me into public service, and it’s also what keeps me going when government feels slow, complicated, or discouraging.

Public service rooted in real life

I currently serve as a Winnebago County Board Supervisor. My focus has always been practical and community-centered… transparency in decision-making, responsible budgeting, and making sure residents feel heard and represented.

Public service is part of our family culture. My husband, Joshua, works at Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity, and we’ve seen firsthand how much stable housing and safe infrastructure matter to families. That perspective keeps me focused on real-life outcomes, not politics for the sake of politics.

Over time, I’ve served in several roles connected to county and community work, including committee and commission service that touches technology, parks and recreation, and community engagement. What I’ve learned is this:

The best government isn’t flashy. It’s consistent. It’s accessible. It’s willing to do the unglamorous work, and it treats public trust like something that needs to be earned again and again.

One example of that is my work to strengthen transparency through public access. I brought forward a rule update that supports hybrid meetings and video recording so residents can see and hear discussions without needing to be in the room. Government should never require a special schedule, connections, or insider access for people to stay informed. If it matters enough to be discussed, it matters enough to be accessible.

A Professional Background Built on Communication and Documentation

Outside of public service, I’m a long-time small business owner. Entrepreneurship teaches you a lot quickly:

How to problem-solve, how to communicate clearly, how to work under pressure, and how to build trust with people who are counting on you.

It also teaches you that details matter, because real people live with the outcomes.

I’m also an FAA Part 107 licensed drone pilot. My professional drone work has given me a unique perspective on documentation, safety, and how visual information can clarify what’s really happening on the ground. Whether it’s capturing imagery for inspections, communicating project needs, or documenting conditions that impact the public, I care about accuracy and responsible use. Clear documentation protects people, and it makes decision-making better.

Why I Care About Public Safety and Access

One of my biggest local priorities is public safety infrastructure, especially projects that help people get where they need to go safely. There are roads in our area that function as major connectors between neighborhoods and essential services, yet they lack basic pedestrian infrastructure. When a busy route has bus stops and everyday destinations, but no safe sidewalk, that’s not a minor inconvenience, it’s a safety risk. It’s also an affordability issue. As the cost of living rises and gas prices fluctuate, residents need realistic options. Safe, affordable transportation alternatives should not be a luxury.

I care about the practical things that affect daily life. Situations that don’t always go viral, but matter deeply to families:

Safe routes.

Clear communication.

Infrastructure that works.

Policies that make sense.

Decisions that reflect real life, not party talking points.

An Independent Approach

I’m not interested in playing team politics. I’m interested in outcomes. I believe voters deserve representation that is willing to listen, ask honest questions, and do the work…

Even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s not popular, even when it doesn’t fit into a neat partisan box.

That independence is intentional. It’s not about being “in the middle” for the sake of it. It’s about being free to support what’s right - and to push back on what isn’t - based on the people I represent, not a party agenda.

The Way I Want to Serve

I want residents to feel like they can approach local government without needing a translator. I want meetings to be accessible. I want policies to be understandable. I want people to know what’s being discussed and why. And I want progress on the kinds of projects that make our communities safer and more connected.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple:

Show up, do the work, and keep the focus where it belongs… on the people who call this community home.