Weekly News from Your Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair

FIGHT on the Issues:
Standing with Labor

This Monday Ben joined thousands of activists at Milwaukee’s annual Laborfest. Wisconsin Democrats have a rich history of standing arm in arm with our union brothers and sisters — we’ve fought together against some of the most egregious assaults on worker’s rights, from Act 10 to Right to Work, and at the turn of the 20th century, Wisconsin was at the forefrunt of some of Labor’s most important battles.

 

Showing up is important. And guess how President Trump decided to show up? By flying a banner over Laborfest in Milwaukee. Trump can’t even be bothered to leave his golf course, let alone do anything to actually help Wisconsin workers.

 

Fortunately, for the first time in a long time, Wisconsin has a governor who believes in the power of organized labor. Gov. Evers has proposed a $15 minimum wage for all Wisconsin workers because more than 870,000 Wisconsin families can’t afford basic necessities. He’s championed pay equity and dignity for all workers, and he’s fought to rebuild our state’s historic partnership between management and labor that was damaged by Scott Walker’s brand of “divide and conquer” politics.

 

While we’ve come a long way from the fight for the weekend, the GOP and their big corporate donors continue to undermine worker’s rights at every turn. We can’t and won’t stop fighting.

 

Overwhelming Support for Universal Background Checks

 

In their latest public opinion poll, Marquette University Law School found that 80% of Wisconsin voters support universal background checks on gun purchases while 81% support red flag laws (which would allow judges to remove firearms from people determined to be a risk).

And these stats don’t change much based on whether or not you use guns — 75% of gun owners support universal background checks, too. Expanding background checks to private gun sales has bipartisan approval, yet Republicans still refuse to budge despite the vast majority of their constituents supporting this legislation. It just goes to show that Republicans aren’t even representing the best interests of their constituents when they’re cozying up to the NRA.

 

On the bright side, these poll numbers show our work is paying off. The public is firmly on our side. We need to continue putting pressure on Republicans until they have no choice but to take this issue up.

 

**We Need Your Help**

 

Our Communications Department needs your help. We’re recruiting a statewide network of spokespeople who can speak to how Trump’s broken promises and failed policies have hurt hardworking Wisconsinites.

Who we’re looking for: everyday people who have a story to tell and would be comfortable talking to the media. We’re looking especially for folks with health care stories (ie: they have a pre-existing condition), agriculture/farming stories (ie: a dairy farmer who’s been harmed by Trump’s trade war), and general stories on the economy (ie: someone whose job was shipped overseas, or who’s seen their wages decrease during the Trump presidency). Additionally, we are also looking for folks who voted for Trump in ’16 but plan to vote blue in 2020.

Please find below a Google Form where you can fill out information for people you know who may be interested in helping us out (even if it’s yourself!). The survey will ask you to fill out information for one person at a minimum, but feel free to add any additional folks you may know! We appreciate your help and partnership!

 

I want to help!

INCLUDE & RESPECT
Apply for Emerge Class of 2020!

 

Emerge is a groundbreaking organization that recruits and empowers Democratic women to run for office by giving them the tools and support they need to become future leaders in their communities, and they’re accepting applications NOW for their class of 2020. In 2019, over 80% of Emerge trained women won their elections across Wisconsin. Learn more here!

 

Milwaukee 2020 Venue Portal

 

We’re determined to make the 2020 Democratic National Convention a Wisconsin production through and through — that’s why the 2020 Host Committee has launched its Venues Portal. Through this portal they will help to connect outstanding local restaurants, bars, catering facilities, and events spaces that make up the city’s exciting dining, arts, and cultural scene with the 2,000 events taking place between now and the 2020 DNC Convention.

 

They’ll need traditional and unique venues of all shapes and sizes over the next year, so enter your business’ information and they’ll be sure to be in touch soon: milwaukee2020.com/venues. For more information please visit their Frequently Asked Questions: milwaukee2020.com/venue-faq.

Be sure to also attend their Venues Information Session on October 4th. RSVP to the event HERE for location and time details.
Ben met with DPW Latino Caucus Chair Carmen Cabrera and owner & publisher of El Conquistador, a statewide Latinx newspaper, Victor Huyke this week! They discussed how to get out the word on the electoral issues at stake for Wisconsin’s Latinx community. 

 

Thanks, Burnett Co. Dems for hosting Vice Chair Felesia Martin at your event last week! Felesia was joined by Sen. Patty Schachtner, Rep. Nick Milroy, Sen. Janet Bewley and dozens of local Democratic activists who are fired up about the upcoming special election in WI-07!

 

Ben had a great time hanging out with the Walworth Cty Dems at their state fair last weekend!

 

EMPOWER the Grassroots
Regional Organizing Trainings

 

Join local volunteers and activists at one of our upcoming regional organizing trainings! These events are open to anyone who is passionate about strengthening the progressive fabric of Wisconsin, regardless of volunteer experience.

MILWAUKEE — September 7th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Washington Park Library, 2121 N Sherman Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53208 (Sign up link)

WAUSAU — September 8th from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm at Marathon County Party Office, 833 S 3rd Ave, Wausau, WI 54401 (Sign up link)

EAU CLAIRE — September 21st from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at Eau Claire Democrat Resource Center, 440 Broadway St, Eau Claire, WI 54703 (Sign up link)

REEDSBURG — September 21st from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Sauk County Democrats Office, 143 S Walnut St, Reedsburg, WI 53959 (Sign up link)

WOW+ COUNTIES — September 29th from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Location details TBD)

ELKHORN — October 6h from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Walworth Dems Office, 15 E Walworth St, Elkhorn, WI 53121 (Sign up link)
**Next weekend we’ll be knocking doors as part of our latest weekend of action!**
Sign up for a shift here!

 

 

Are you planning or considering a run for office? The National Democratic Training Committee and DPW will be hosting a BLUE BENCH TRAINING DAY on September 28th, where we’ll be teaching crucial skills in media, field work, fundraising, and management.

Our Blue Bench Training Day will give you the tools to not only start, but to WIN. If this sounds good to you, click here to RSVP!

 

Upcoming Events

 

On Friday, September 6 Chair Wikler will be attending Rep. Ron Kind’s annual corn roast in La Crosse.

If you’re interested in hearing Chair Wikler and the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s Chair Andrew Hitt talk about the 2020 election, join us at the Madison Club for a Wispolitics Luncheon on September 12 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. You can purchase tickets here.

 

Follow DPW on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

 

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