Guest Report - June 2026

District Director Candidacy Profiles

District 1- Mike Halvorson here, declaring my candidacy for District One Director. I have been an ABATE member for approximately 23 years. Also, a member of the MRF, AMA, Northern Illinois ABATE, and St. Croix Valley Riders (when I remember to renew it). Held the position of co-products person and area representative before being elected to my current positions of 1J Region Representative and District One Director. I will continue to support ABATE of Wisconsin any way I can. My goal is to help ensure that ABATE of Wisconsin remains a viable, trustworthy, and tireless advocate for freedom of motorcycling everywhere. We all need to keep our membership growing. Help us help you by getting others involved. You don't have to own a motorcycle to benefit from what we do, but it is more fun.

Respectfully submitted, Mike Halvorson.

District 2 – I have been an ABATE OF WISCONSIN member for 20 years and an M.R.F. member for the last 16 years. When Gary "Goofy" Wetor was 2A Regional Rep. he appointed me as 2A’s Area Rep. for 5 years. After Goofy passed, I became the 2A Regional Rep. for 4 years. During that time, Marlene Bautch talked me into running for District 2 Director. Since then, almost 10 years have passed. Over that time, I've missed only 2 Board of Directors meetings. I have been part of the ABATE ACRES Land committee for 14 years. Chairing the committee for 5 years. I am also on the SUMMER HUMMER committee for 14 years, chairing it for 9 years. I keep in touch with each Regional Rep. every month, which helps keep information flowing between the Board of Directors and Regions. I try to respond to Regional Reps and members with answers to questions or problems in a timely manner. My Goals are to bring motorcycle-friendly brothers and sisters into the ABATE OF WISCONSIN family, making ABATE ACRES one of the best benefits as far as drawing new members into the organization.

Ride Free!   Worm

District 3 - I have been an ABATE of Wisconsin member for over 35 years. I am also a long-time member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). In the past, I have served on the ABATE Board of Directors for over 25 years. I have served as the Summer Hummer chair for 3 years when the party was held at the Clark County Fairgrounds. I have served on the Legislative Committee for over 25 years. I have attended over 15 national conferences representing ABATE of Wisconsin. I have presented at the Wisconsin Governor’s Safety Conference on 2 occasions and was the chair of the Highway Safety Committee for 3 years. I am a Share The Road instructor for District 3. My goals for the future of ABATE of Wisconsin include keeping the organization solvent through financial oversight, increasing outreach to increase membership with younger riders and continuing to ensure education and roadway safety initiatives. I am also working with the program coordinator to revamp the Share The Road program to address the challenges presented by online driver education. I would also like to research possible grant opportunities for our education and safety program.

I have held various positions in this organization which include:

•Current District 3 Director – 2 years

•Current Recording Secretary, 6 years - interim Recording Secretary in 2018

   and fill in Recording Secretary 2018 –  2020

•Board At Large – 2 years

•Fundraising Chairperson, 4 years

•Current Region 3B treasurer, 10 Years

•Co-Products Director – 10 years

•MOTM 2026 Chairperson

I have attended STEAM, MOTM, and Lobby Day and am an active member of the MRF. One of my goals for this organization is to continue protecting our rights on the road as motorcyclists. We have many challenges coming forth for motorcyclists which we will need to address strategically and at full force.

Dawn Stoddard, 16-year, member. Region 3B, Little Suamico, 920-639-5037

District 4 - Why I’m Running for the ABATE of Wisconsin District 4 Director position. I’m running for the Board of Directors for District 4 because ABATE isn’t just an organization to me—it’s people, purpose, and the belief that our freedoms don’t protect themselves. I was born in 1974—not to date myself—but that also happens to be the year ABATE began. I’ve always found that connection interesting. Long before I ever knew what ABATE was, I felt a pull to be part of something with real purpose. When I found ABATE of Wisconsin, it didn’t feel like I was searching for a cause—it felt like I had found one that already matched the purpose I carried. I’ve been a member for eight years and I’m proud to be a lifetime member because I believe in what this organization stands for and the people who make it what it is. Along the way, I’ve tried to serve wherever I could. I’m currently serving as a Legislative Officer and Regional Area Representative, and in the past, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as a Product Representative. Each of those roles has helped me understand more deeply how important this organization is and how much work goes into protecting the rights we sometimes take for granted. I’ll be honest—there are moments when I stop and ask myself, “What am I doing?” Why take on the time, responsibility, and sometimes criticism that comes with stepping up? The answer always comes back to the same thing—because I care. I care about the riders who just want to enjoy the road without being judged or restricted. I care about the longtime members who built this organization before many of us ever showed up. And I care about the next generation of riders who may not yet realize how fragile these freedoms can be if we stop paying attention. Leadership to me isn’t about titles. It’s about showing up, listening, and being willing to do the work—even when it isn’t easy. I’m running because I believe District 4 deserves leadership that is passionate, grounded, and committed to protecting the road ahead for everyone who rides. If you trust me with your vote, I won’t take that responsibility lightly.

Ride safe. Stay free,

Jesse Plawman

District 5 – No Candidate

District 6 – No Candidate

District 7 –

Hello, my name is Jay Goecks. Over the last 8 years, I've been an active member of ABATE 7E and the MRF. I was originally brought into ABATE by three people. Unfortunately, two of them are no longer with us. I learned so many important things from their administration and dedication to this organization. They inspired me over the years not only with words but also with their wisdom. I have proudly been a membership officer of the 7E-8F regions for the last 4 years, along with having the privilege of being the regional representative for 7E-8F for the last year and a half. In a small amount of time as an officer, I found myself challenged with the task of trying to bring back a region that unfortunately had seemed to become dormant and silent after its representative had moved away. I was successful in bringing back Dane County over the last 4 years with roughly a 200%+ membership increase. I do believe every region in District 7 can do the same. We need a District Director to continue going forward with the vision and ambitions as I have shown. Someone to make our organization bloom in the next 20+ years instead of just sustaining. We need to open up options for getting new members to join ABATE. We need someone to represent District 7 with the testicular fortitude that's going to stick with their decision that is best for the district as a whole and organization instead of just going along with the crowd. That being said, I believe if I'm elected to District Director of 7, I can help increase membership with the younger generations along with hopefully making this district stronger in membership and legislative issues.

Thank you for your time and support, Jay Goecks

Hello, I’m Dave Van Dyke, a 31-year ABATE of Wisconsin member. I have been the 7E Legislative Officer for 22 years. I am the current District 7 Director and have been for the past 6.5 years and also the current Highway Safety Chair. I am also a 22-year MRF member. I am a past Tavern League President and Vice President. ABATE of Wisconsin is the strongest motorcycle rights organization in the country, fighting for Education, Legislation, and Safety for all motorcyclists and we must continue to push and be stronger. Numbers count and my District 7 has been doing an awesome job at raising funds, membership, and awareness with a lot of hard work from all the great volunteer members. I am a tavern and restaurant owner and don’t always have time for everything I want to do, but I am always available to answer questions or help do what I can by phone, text or Email.

Thank You, Dave Van Dyke

I have been an ABATE member over 23 years. I also hgave been an MRF member for several years. I was treasurer for Region 1G. I am pro-people and pro-democracy. I want to get ABATE working for its founding principles of fighting for people’s right to choose what they do and buy. I am against totalitarian enactments. Our politicians pass laws based on corporate campaign contributions, not what voters want. Big corporations are controlling our government and the internet. I want to get members of ABATE to support people working for people’s rights, not their personal profit. I believe we need to talk to young motorcyclists and make any changes in ABATE needed to get their participation. I suggest we have corn hole or beer pong tournaments at the Summer Hummer to attract younger people. I saw college students playing those games most days when living near UW La Crosse. We could have Junior Patriots build tables for these games for Summer Hummer use or to sell.

Donn R. Garves, SR.

District 8 – No Candidate