Donohue Addresses Cottage Grove Event
The Wisconsin Constitution as Vision Statement
Oct. 7, 2026 - John Donohue of Fort Atkinson, Candidate for the office of State Representative, Wisconsin Assembly District 46, addressed civic leaders and concerned citizens in Cottage Grove Tuesday night. He offered insights into the significance of the Wisconsin State Constitution Preamble as a vision statement for Wisconsin’s forward direction in light of theupcoming November 3rd election.
“Consider a vitally important document which we know as the Wisconsin Constitution, enacted May 29th in the year 1848 – also the year that Wisconsin officially became the 30th U.S. state; and particularly consider its Preamble,” Donohue stated.
“The Preamble states: ‘We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution’. This is our principled vision for how we as Wisconsinites should join together toward a common purpose, and a common interest in the future of our Great State!” Donohue said. "We have a great many issues to work on particularly regarding our economy. The Preamble represents our ‘Vision’ – our direction.
“You immediately recognize that our Preamble here closely mirrors that of the United States Constitution ratified September 1787, where the U.S. Supreme Court has stated in many subsequent landmark cases that the preamble bears witness to the fact that the Constitution emanates from the people,” Donohue said.
“The central goals and vision for ‘We the people – being grateful to God - as we work toward a common goal: freedom; a more effective government; striving toward domestic sensibility in our civic conduct; and as we promote our general welfare – not government handouts and regulatory control, but general prosperity. When you vote in this November election, ask yourselves how we have been doing in light of this design – this proclamation of such importance as to frame our State Constitution. Ask where we go from here, and how we achieve this vision,” Donohue concluded.
John Donohue is a candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly, District 46 on the November 3rd general election ballot. He is a 27-year veteran of the United States Army, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, retired at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer / Legal Administrator. He holds master’s degrees in Development Economics, Social Work (MSW), and Public Administration (MPA). John resides in Fort Atkinson with partner Kelly, and golden doodle, Winston L. S. Churchill.
The district includes the cities and villages of Fort Atkinson, Lake Mills, and Waterloo (Jefferson County); Cambridge (Dane and Jefferson counties); Deerfield, and Rockdale (Dane County); Cottage Grove (partially or nearly all in Dane County); and McFarland (part of the village in Dane County). It also includes the towns of Christiana, Cottage Grove, Deerfield, and Medina (all in Dane County).
“I am running for State Assembly because I believe it is time to bring a fresh perspective and genuine community-first leadership to the 46th Assembly District,” said Donohue. “Families in our Assembly District deserve a representative who will focus on affordability, tax reduction, school efficiency and transparency – the education basics of reading, writing and arithmetic; improving infrastructure but not at the expense of damaging our farmlands, supporting small businesses, and keeping our neighborhoods safe – just a few of the over 50 issues I am prepared to address on your behalf in Madison. I am ready to work collaboratively to build a stronger, more vibrant future for all of us,” he stated.