Democratic candidate for Wisconsin Secretary of State JoCasta Zamarripa said her top priority is getting the governor to sign driver’s licenses for undocumented Wisconsinites into law, and she hopes Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is that governor. The remarks, made in a televised interview and shared in a video post by Vanessa Kjeldsen on X, led online users to respond with questions about the priority and related concerns. Zamarripa said she felt confident Crowley would support the measure based on his past legislative record.
In the footage, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin Secretary of State JoCasta Zamarripa sits in a studio and answers questions about her priorities. She states, “My number one priority is to see the governor sign driver’s licenses for undocumented Wisconsinites into law. And I hope that that governor will be David Crowley.”
She adds that she feels confident Crowley would support the idea and that they plan to talk soon. The video does not show what was said before or after the exchange captured in the clip.
Zamarripa, a Milwaukee alderman and former state representative, has previously sponsored related legislation. In earlier statements, she described the proposal as a public-safety measure that would put more tested and insured drivers on the road and said it had support from some farmers, businesses, and law enforcement.
Wisconsin currently requires proof of legal presence for a standard driver’s license, and the secretary of state’s office does not issue licenses or administer elections; those functions rest with the Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Implementing any change would require action by the governor and legislature. Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany has said the idea prioritizes non-citizens over Wisconsinites and has linked it to broader Democratic positions on the issue.
Online Reactions to Zamarripa’s Priority Statement
Some users questioned why it ranked first among other matters facing the state. One wrote, “That is her NUMBER ONE priority. Think about that.”
Another asked, “Why is this your top priority among all the issues affecting Wisconsinites?” and referenced reports linking such licenses to voting concerns.
Several also objected to the wording, including one who said, “Undocumented immigrants are by definition not Wisconsinites.”
Others raised practical or procedural points. One commenter noted uncertainty about the secretary of state’s role, writing, “Not sure the SoS has much to do with driver’s licenses or anything else in the executive branch, frankly.”
Another focused on voter registration rules, asking whether noncitizen IDs would be separated so they could not be used to register. A separate reply stated simply, “Yeah now get out of here with that.”
At the same time, Zamarripa has previously described the policy as a public-safety step that would increase the number of tested and insured drivers, saying in earlier statements that “we need to know who is driving on the roads and that they know the rules of the road and are driving with insurance.” She has also pointed to past expressions of support from some farmers, businesses, and law enforcement for similar measures.
The remarks have become part of the broader discussion surrounding the Wisconsin races for governor and secretary of state. The video continues to circulate as candidates and viewers respond to the priorities outlined in the interview.
