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Melissa Custer for Ozaukee County
"District 12 deserves to have an invested, persistent leader who has experience advocating with state officials. Let's win this seat and make Grafton proud!"
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-Melissa Custer
I'm running to help level the playing field for all Ozaukee County residents.
Meet Melissa:
Melissa Custer is a mom, advocate, homeschool teacher, pharmacy technician, and member of Grafton School District's Special Education Parent Advisory Council.
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She graduated from UW Green Bay with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development. She is also a nationally certified, state licensed pharmacy technician. In 2024 she completed the Wisconsin Family Leadership Institute (WiFLI) through Family Voices of Wisconsin.
Melissa grew up in Grafton and has lived in district 12 most of her life. As a mom of two wonderful boys who have disabilities, seeing the world through their perspective inspired her to advocate for them and others. It opened the door to experiencing legislative & policy advocacy.
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Melissa co-founded the Learn in My Shoes Campaign in 2025, a grassroots movement which helped families across the state connect with their legislators to advocate for increasing funding for special education in public schools, which achieved the first fiscal win for disability rights in a decade.
Through that work, she was also awarded the Pam & Paul Delap Outstanding Parent Award in May 2025.
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Melissa's Priorities
Accessibility
Accessibility is a Human Right
As a mother of children with disabilities and a child with complex healthcare needs, Melissa's unique perspective is valuable at the decision making table.
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When people with disabilities and our aging population are valued, we all win.
Preserving Natural Resources
Ozaukee County is Beautiful
Our natural resources are important for all of us and our environment needs to be protected for future generations.
Melissa also believes that our county parks should be accessible for everyone. Nature promotes physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
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Lowering Property Taxes
Decisions that Make Sense
By advocating for special education funding at the state level, Melissa has already been working on lowering property taxes. Wisconsin has a state budget surplus. The money schools don't get from the state come from property taxes.
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Times are tough. We need to help reduce the burden on homeowners.
Civic Engagement
Community Connection
Melissa will prioritize community connections and plans to hold regular open office hours to listen to community needs.
Elected officials work for the people.