Dear fellow Wisconsin Democrats,

The signatures are in.

Campaign season has begun.

And we’ve officially kicked off our coordinated campaign, “Forward For Wisconsin”—to ratchet up our organizing in every zip code in Wisconsin, rural, suburban, and urban alike.

We always knew this year would be intense. We didn’t know quite how heartbreaking it might be as well. The horrendous waves of gun violence—from Uvalde to Racine, to other mass shootings all over the country, to the less-publicized tragedies of accidents, homicides, and suicides. The ongoing, almost silent death toll from COVID. The looming threat to abortion access, with a Supreme Court ruling expected any day now, and a sudden dimunition in freedom for so many.

In the face of all that, hope is a choice. For the dozens of people who stepped up to run for office this November, that choice has been made. They will be working their hearts out to turn that hope into progress. It’s on all of our shoulders to have their backs.

To remember that change is possible, and to work for that change, even in moments when it feels like things are falling apart, requires an act of will—but generates its own energy. The more we believe in ourselves and one another, the more we open up a path to do what seems impossible.

This moment calls to all of us to become, once again, the ones we’ve been waiting for. We know the stakes; as ever, the whole nation turns to Wisconsin. We know what we’re capable of.

Let’s make this summer count.

In solidarity,

Ben

On Wednesday, Milwaukee legislators Sen. LaTonya Johnson, Sen. Chris Larson, Rep. Deb Andraca and Rep. Robyn Vining admonished Wisconsin’s GOP House delegation for their votes against emergency funding for baby formula distribution – failing Wisconsin parents amid a national shortage.

Speakers highlighted how, despite Republicans’ shocking opposition, Democrats like President Joe Biden, Governor Tony Evers, and Representative Gwen Moore are working to address the national baby formula shortage.

Watch the full event here.

Sen. LaTonya Johnson, Sen. Chris Larson, Rep. Deb Andraca and Rep. Robyn Vining speak in Milwaukee at an event highlighting Democratic action on the infant formula shortage.

On the heels of an ethics complaint filed against Ron Johnson for spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on vacation travel from his family’s Florida vacation home, Wisconsinites gathered outside of his Oshkosh Senate office demanding he return the taxpayer money he spent on his flights.

The complaint against Johnson calls for an investigation into his use of the taxpayer funds, a clear violation of federal laws and Senate ethics rules.

Watch the full event here.

After months of pandering, leapfrogging to the right, and pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump has chosen his candidate in the Wisconsin GOP governor’s primary.

That candidate is none other than Tim Michels.

Trump’s endorsement doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering Michels asked for Trump’s blessing to run, spent talk radio appearances lavishing compliments on Trump, and trumpeted his extreme views on the 2020 election and Wisconsin Elections Commission in order to impress the twice-impeached former president.

This endorsement will make a divisive primary much worse. Whoever wins this race, every Republican running for Governor is too extreme for Wisconsin.

Read Chair Wikler’s full statement on Trump’s endorsement here.

To celebrate Pride Month, Governor Evers raised the Progress Pride Flag over the Wisconsin State Capitol yesterday. This marks the fourth year Pride has been celebrated over the Capitol, and the first year the Progress Pride Flag has been raised – a tradition that Rebecca Kleefisch and Kevin Nicholson said they would end if they were governor.

Tim Michels however, again, dodged journalists and bent over backwards to avoid answering questions about his radical views on marriage equality.

To Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “.@michelsforgov does not say whether he would fly the LGBTQ flag or if he supports same-sex marriage. He blamed @GovEvers for high gas prices and other problems.”

To WKOW 27: “.@michelsforgov did not answer whether he’d fly the flag as gov., saying instead, “I think people of all sexual orientations would rather not have the government call them non-essential, close businesses, schools and churches and…cause the price of gas to approach $5 a gallon.”

To The Cap Times: “In response to a request for comment on Wednesday’s flag-raising ceremony, Michels focused on the effects of public health orders that affected businesses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

And just as a reminder: Michels has previously supported a Constitutional ban on marriage equality and said that he doesn’t believe LGTBQ+ people should ‘bring it out of [the] house’: “When you bring it out of your house and onto the public street, that’s where I differ.”

Chair Wikler speaks at a WisPolitics luncheon Thursday alongside RPW Chair Paul Farrow.

On Thursday, Chair Wikler went head-to-head with RPW Chair Paul Farrow at a luncheon event hosted by WisPolitics to provide a preview of the 2022 elections. Chair Wikler held the GOP to account for attacks on our democracy and elections, while highlighting the positive, issues-focused agenda Democrats will be campaigning on this fall.

As Democrats continue to stay laser-focused on the issues that matter – such as lowering costs for working families, investing in our infrastructure and protecting reproductive freedoms – Republicans continue to obsess over the 2020 election and plot further attacks on our freedom to vote.

Read a recap of the event here and watch it in full here.

Join Governor Evers at Milwaukee Pride! It is officially Pride Month, a time to celebrate, honor and remember the LGBTQ+ community and individuals who have built up our community, culture, progress, and fights for equal justice, fairness, and liberation worldwide.  This Sunday the LGBTQ+ Caucus and the WisDems Coalitions team will be marching with Governor Evers in the Milwaukee Pride Parade in celebration–and you can too!

Join March with Governor Evers & WisDems Members at the Milwaukee Pride, Sunday June 5th

The Milwaukee Pride Parade will be held Sunday, June 5th at 2pm, making it’s way up 2nd Street from Greenfield Avenue to E Oregon Street. Walk and celebrate with us!

Not only is this a celebration of progress, but it is also a critical moment to build coalitions across Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin. In addition to the parade will also have volunteer opportunities at our Pride Booth which you can sign up to volunteer for here throughout Thursday – Saturday.

We hope to see you at the Parade with Governor Evers this Sunday!

WisDems is launching our statewide Coordinated Campaign (Forward for Wisconsin) to re-elect Governor Tony Evers, defeat Ron Johnson, and elect leaders across the state who will always put Wisconsin’s working families first.

We will be hosting three office openings around the state with Governor Tony Evers and our Attorney General Josh Kaul this weekend in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay.

Green Bay With Attorney General Josh Kaul

Saturday, June 4th at 11:00am

RSVP here!

Madison With Congressman Mark Pocan and Chair Ben Wikler

Saturday, June 4th at 11:30am

RSVP here!

Milwaukee With Governor Tony Evers

Saturday, June 4th at 2:30pm

RSVP here!

We want to see you at this year’s State Convention in La Crosse! Read on for a few reminders ahead of Convention weekend on the 25th & 26th.

First, in order to be a delegate, you must be a current member of WisDems before 5 PM on Saturday, June 11th, AND be named by your county party as a delegate before Saturday, June 4th. If you are unsure of your membership status, send an email to membership@wisdems.org and we will be happy to check!

Delegates & guests must also pay their convention fee and submit their COVID-19 vaccination in order to be able to join us at Convention. The deadline for in-person attendees to submit their COVID-19 vaccination information in advance of the State Convention is 5PM on Monday, June 13th. If not submitted by that date, attendees must bring their proof of vaccination to the La Crosse Center to join us on Convention weekend.

Finally – note that online / virtual State Convention attendees do not need to buy a Convention ticket to join us online, and folks who volunteer for at least one shift at the State Convention will get free admission on site at the La Crosse center. If you’re interested in volunteering at the State Convention, complete this form!

Come learn how you can amplify our unified, Democratic messaging on social media, using the Greenfly app! During our live training sessions, you’ll learn what Greenfly can do and how to use it, and practice using the app.

This training is perfect for any county party member or leader, volunteer, or community leader who wants to help spread WisDems social media messaging—especially those managing social media accounts on behalf of county parties or other groups.

Monday, June 6 at 5pm: Register

Thursday, June 9 at 5:30pm: Register

Tuesday, June 14 at 3pm: Register

Friday, June 17 at 11am: Register

Tuesday, June 21 at 5pm: Register

Wednesday, June 22 at 12pm: Register

Thursday, June 23 at 5:30pm: Register

Stay up to date as we add more training dates this summer at wisdems.org/greenfly.

The easiest way to help support our work across the state is by signing up as a monthly donor for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. These funds directly allow us to hire and plan sustainably, working to defeat Ron Johnson, re-elect Gov. Evers, and save our democracy!

Chip in any amount to join the fight!