Weekly News from Your Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair

If you haven’t already heard, I am thrilled to announce that Wisconsin Democrats flipped a red seat blue — Caleb Frostman will be the new Senator of the 1st Senate District, the first Democrat in that seat in 41 years! Few words can describe how happy I am that Wisconsinites in the 1st will have such an incredible Senator representing them! Thanks to everyone who continues to help build the #BlueWave in Wisconsin!

Of course, I am sad that Ann Groves-Lloyd won’t be representing the 42nd Assembly District for the next few months, but I look forward to her campaign continuing over the next couple months leading up to November. She closed the gap significantly in a district that was rigged against her.

Caleb and Ann ran positive campaigns focused on issues that matter to their communities, issues like family supporting jobs, clean drinking water, affordable health care and funding our public schools.

I also want to thank our partners in the State Senate Campaign Committee and the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee who worked tirelessly to support these campaigns. They are working so hard to ensure that we elect leaders to the legislature all across the state!

Tuesday was a morale booster, but the fight isn’t over. We need to keep up the energy all the way through November if we’re going to elect the leaders and pass the policies we want to see in Wisconsin.

So keep up the good work, Wisconsin Democrats!

An inspiring weekend of events took place around the state as our wonderful Sen. Tammy Baldwin was joined by California Sen. Kamala Harris to remind Wisconsin voters of the amazing work Sen. Baldwin has done for our state! Sen. Baldwin spoke of her efforts to make sure all Wisconsinites have comprehensive, equal access to healthcare, and Sen. Harris touted Tammy’s reputation as a “force of power” in D.C (which she is!).

The Senators stopped by PrideFest Milwaukee to chat with voters, and remind folks that regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, their voices should be heard.

Thanks to everyone who turned out for these events!

In shocking new revelations uncovered in an investigation by The Post Crescent, Attorney General Brad Schimel made shocking blunders and deliberate missteps in his handling of the 6,000 backlogged rape kits in Wisconsin.

This is unacceptable. We need an Attorney General who’s serious about keeping Wisconsinites safe. Thankfully, our Democratic candidate Josh Kaul understands the issues facing Wisconsinites and will step up to the job when elected in November.

See the full story on Schimel here.

Walker’s Broadband Bribery

In 2011, Governor Walker rejected $23 million in federal dollars that would have increased broadband access for 385 libraries and 82 schools, expanding access in 380 Wisconsin communities. Now, in Walker’s classic election-year style, he’s touting an offer of taxpayer dollars to subdue the struggling communities that do not have sufficient broadband access due to Walker’s initial neglect.

Wisconsin classrooms, libraries, and small businesses, especially in rural parts of the state, deserve equal opportunity to thrive in their communities. Once again Walker’s bribes are too little, too late. Wisconsinites deserve communities that are fully and consistently funded so they can remain productive places to live, work, and play.

Dark Store Update

The dark store loophole is obscure and difficult to understand. What’s not challenging to understand is the immense impact so-called “dark stores” are having on the skyrocketing property taxes for local businesses and property owners. Tax policies that favors big box retailers and large corporations have been pocketing millions of dollars as taxpayers foot the bill for these corporations.

The bills have bipartisan support, but unfortunately neither Rep. Vos nor Sen. Fitzgerald will bring the bills to the floor for a vote.

Democrats are luck to have legislators like Rep. Barca, Rep. Ohnstad, Sen. Wirch, and Sen. Ringhand who held a listening session on Wednesday in Kenosha and invited concerned citizens to come share their frustrations with the legislators. Rep. Barca expressed frustration over the politicization of this issue, and worries that the burden is going to be heaviest on small businesses and homeowners in these communities with these big box retailers.

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