Van Buren runs for Assembly for the first time in 12 years

Democratic nominee says school funding is ‘still a mess’

After a 12-year hiatus in seeking election to represent Wisconsin State Assembly District 34, Democratic nominee Merlin Van Buren is focusing his campaign on school funding in an attempt to overtake Republican incumbent Rob Swearingen on Election Day on Nov. 3.

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• By Jacob Link
• October 23, 2026