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Dear fellow Wisconsin Democrats,
Last week, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and the Republican Party of Wisconsin filed their final state campaign finance reports for 2019. (Reports on fundraising to parties’ federal accounts will be filed next week.) And the numbers tell an extraordinary story.
Here’s how WisPolitics summarized the filings:
“The Dem Party raised nearly $3.5 million in 2019 compared to the nearly $1.9 million pulled in by the state GOP.
It’s a marked change for the political parties since their last off year heading into a presidential election. In 2015, the state GOP raised more than $1.9 million, while the Dem Party pulled in $562,783.”
In other words, Wisconsin Republicans in 2019 were about even with where they stood in 2015. But we Democrats raised more than six times as much.
This financial strength is the result of an enormous amount of work. As you might imagine, it’s an important part of my job as chair. It’s the fruit of our growing state party finance team. But fundamentally,it’s a vote of confidence, across Wisconsin and across the country, in you: in the county parties, neighborhood teams, and volunteers statewide who smashed every record in field organizing last year and are poised to power an all-important and victorious effort in 2020.
To all the many people who have chipped in whatever they could—thank you. We will use the resources with which we’ve been entrusted to support the Democratic secret weapon: people power. This year, we’re going to smash every record for grassroots organizing in our state. And that is how we’ll win.
Warmly, Ben
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FIGHT on the Issues & FIGHT to Win:
Gov. Evers Delivering for Wisconsin — Farm Relief & Fair Maps
This Wednesday, Governor Evers delivered his second State of the State address to the people of Wisconsin.
He focussed on two critical issues — the crisis facing our farmers and nonpartisan redistricting.
The governor recognizes that while dairy farmers have traditionally made up a staple of the state’s economy, it’s becoming harder and harder for them to provide for their families and keep their farms afloat thanks to Trump’s reckless trade war and years of GOP inaction. That’s why he rolled out a three-pronged plan to combat Wisconsin’s agriculture crisis, including calling a special session of the Legislature, creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, and creating a Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity.
Click on the photo to view video
The only thing stopping the governor on making progress on issues like the dairy crisis is a Republican-controlled Legislature who seem more concerned with obstructing their Democratic counterparts than listening to their constituents. That’s why the governor also proposed a nonpartisan redistricting commission made up of everyday citizens so that Republicans will finally be forced to no longer ignore significant majorities on issues like expanding Medicaid and universal background checks.
But Gov. Evers also spoke about the many opportunities that we have to improve the lives of all Wisconsinites. 2020 presents us with the chance to make life on issues like the cost of insulin and homelessness.
In his speech, Gov. Evers also laid out some of his administration’s accomplishments over his first year in office. From increasing funding for our roads and schools to providing tax relief for working families, it’s clear that Gov. Evers has already made significant progress on the the promises he ran on.
The governor achieved a lot for the state last year, but with Republicans and Democrats working together, we can achieve much more. It’s time to set politics aside and get to work moving our state forward, together.
Roe Turns 47 —
Defending Women’s Rights
Wednesday also marked the 47th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade, which protects a woman’s right to abortion under the Constitution.
But even after a half-century, this right continues to be under attack every single day by Republicans across the nation. It’s important that we never take Roe for granted and remember that a vote for a Democrat means a vote for trusting women to decide what’s best for their lives and their bodies.
INCLUDE & RESPECT:
MLK Day
On Monday, our chair, Ben, attended the Madison & Dane County MLK, Jr. Holiday Observance at the Overture Center here in Madison. Civil rights activist Joyce Ann Ladner gave the keynote address and Ada Deer, the first woman ever to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs, was honored with the MLK, Jr. Humanitarian Award. Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi were also in appearance.
As we honor Dr. King’s legacy, it’s important that we also take time to reflect on the enduring movement he built and what we need to do carry his legacy forward.
Join the Growing DPW Staff
As we scale up for the fight of our lives, we’re bringing on new staff for a number of essential positions. We’re currently hiring a Human Resources Director, Deputy Digital Director, Deputy Candidate Services Director, Field Organizer, Regional Organizing Director, Information Technology Coordinator and Staff Assistant.
You can check out our job openings page on newly re-designed website, which launched last week!
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer. Women, People of Color, LGBT, people of all religious affiliations & people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
EMPOWER the Grassroots:
Team of the Week
Welcome to a new installment of the Weekly Chair’s Update where we’ll spotlight a new team or volunteer in Wisconsin doing great work to get Dems elected in 2020!
Neenah-Menasha Action Team
From their regional organizing director Nick Morgan: “No matter the time of year, you can count on the Neenah-Menasha Action Team to work hard in their hometown community. From #1Year2Win to canvassing on cold weekends in January, they have bundled up and knocked doors for our candidates up and down the ballot since their inception in 2018. They, along with the rest of the Winnebago County Democrats, have set an incredible example for us all!”
Thanks for being awesome, Neenah-Menasha Action Team!
DNC Invests in Battleground States
The DNC announced this week that they will be making a new multi-million dollar investment in Wisconsin to continue building the infrastructure we’ll need to defeat Trump in 2020.
This historic investment combined with our powerhouse fundraising operation will allow us to scale up our team and build the infrastructure necessary to our success in November.
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