DPW update April 6, 2018

I give my most enthusiastic congratulations to Judge Rebecca Dallet, our new Justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court! I know she will lead with our Wisconsin values and be an advocate through and through for Wisconsin families on our state’s high court. Judge Dallet will undoubtedly deliver the fairness and balance that our Supreme Court so desperately needs.

Believe it or not, last night was an even bigger loss for Scott Walker than it was for Michael Screnock. Screnock was Walker’s chosen candidate, and his endorsement, politics and philosophy were all on the ballot. After the loss, Walker went on another unhinged tweet storm, warning of “a #BlueWave.”

Walker is not upset by Tuesday’s defeat. He’s upset that he was unable to buy and rig his way to another victory. The Republican playbook of gerrymandering our legislative maps, implementing voting restrictions and twisting campaign finance laws to win is no longer working for them, and Scott Walker is terrified.

Elections in Wisconsin are changing. Voters are responding to and organizing around our shared Wisconsin values and rejecting the extremism and division of the right. We were able to help get Democrats to the polls even in the face of massive outside spending thanks to an early investment in our most important resource: the people.

In early 2017, the Wisconsin Democratic coordinated campaign, a partnership of Democratic candidates and causes like Senator Tammy Baldwin, our folks running for congress, candidates like Josh Kaul, the legislative caucuses and the Party, launched its new field program. It began earlier than ever before — 20 months in advance of the November 2018 election. We relaunched the Obama model of neighborhood action teams in order to leverage our Party’s greatest resource.

Those organizers have helped form over 100 volunteer Neighborhood Action teams. They have helped spread our message to their friends and family and knocked on targeted doors and made phone calls to get out the vote.

Wisconsin Democrats have been organizing, growing and getting fired up for this November’s election for over a year now. It’s why we can’t let up now. For a #BlueWave to become a reality, we need all hands on deck working to make it happen.

Count Me in as a Volunteer!

In Memoriam of former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager

Josh Kaul and his mom Peg (via Twitter)

This week, we said farewell to one of Wisconsin’s most dedicated grassroots progressives, for whom no work was too small or too big in her fight for justice, fairness and opportunity for all Wisconsinites. Peg Lautenschlager served her neighbors, her home community of Fond du Lac and all of our state with great intellect, humor and compassion. She will be so fondly remembered and deeply missed.

A memorial service for Peg will be held Sunday April 15th from 1-4 P.M. at Whispering Springs Golf Course, 380 Whispering Springs Drive, Fond du Lac. If you need any other info email or you can call (920) 922-7439.

#MLK50

Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the activist, leader and Civil Rights icon Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King worked every day toward building a world free of poverty, free of racial injustice and free from violence. He pushed for change even when it was dangerous for him to do so. He was relentless in his campaign for a better world, and the fight for justice and freedom for all lost an important voice with his death.

We have made progress towards King’s dream, but as you’ll see in the next piece, we still have so much work to do. It is on us as Democrats to fight for a world where every child has equal opportunity to succeed, where the advantages we’re afforded aren’t determined by the color of our skin. The best way to pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. King is to carry his vision forward. We must keep up the fight.

Vice Chair Rep. David Bowen responds to Stephon Clark autopsy

Stephon Clark (pictured) was only 22 years-old when he was shot 8 times in the back by Sacramento police

After an autopsy into the police shooting death of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man, showed that Clark was shot eight times in the back, Rep. David Bowen and members of the National Black Caucus of the Young Elected Officials Network are calling on Trump to address gun violence and police brutality. They will send an open letter to the President outlining key reforms needed to curb these epidemics:

“With yet another abuse of force by a police officer making national headlines, we’re reminded of situations in Wisconsin like that of Dontre Hamilton, Tony Robinson, Jason Pero, among others and of how little has been done to address lives pointlessly taken by police violence,” said Rep. David Bowen. “We must keep working on the federal, state, and local levels to transform how law enforcement reacts to adverse scenarios and ensure actual consequences when lethal force is used but could be avoided.”

A reminder about nomination papers

The August primary is fast approaching, and gubernatorial candidates will be collecting signatures to be put on the ballot. Please remember that you can only sign one candidate’s nomination papers. If you sign multiple papers, candidates risk getting their nomination papers rejected, and we don’t want that!

Contact your DNC Members

In an effort to make it easier for all members to contact their DNC members, we have created a general email that you can use to reach all DNC members. Our state staff will forward your emails to them.The email is: DNCmembers@wisdems.org. Your representatives are: