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Follow this newsletter to keep current on the events shaping our state and the work our party is doing to win in 2022 and beyond.
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Dear fellow Wisconsin Democrats,
If you haven’t yet watched the opening presentation of the January 6 Committee hearings, click this link or screenshot and watch right now: |
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To watch this hearing is to see, before your eyes, a horror that should be unthinkable: a United States President inciting a mob to prevent, by force, the peaceful transfer of power, and using his authority as commander in chief to prevent any action to disrupt it.
This was President Trump’s initiative, aided and abetted by co-conspirators in the White House. As Rep. Liz Cheney explained, |
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As you will see in the hearings to come, President Trump believed his supporters at the Capitol, and I quote, “were doing what they should be doing.” … You will hear that President Trump was yelling, and “really angry at advisors who told him he needed to be doing something more.” And, aware of the rioters’ chants to “hang Mike Pence,” the President responded with this sentiment: “maybe our supporters have the right idea.” Mike Pence “deserves” it. |
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This is just the beginning of what we are going to learn. It is coming clearly into view that this was a national initiative with many participants—including those in Wisconsin, and other states, who sought to cast fraudulent electoral college votes that would have replaced the will of the voters with the will of someone who sought topple our country’s core idea: that government should be by, of, and for the people.
In Wisconsin, perhaps more than anywhere else, we are reminded on a daily basis that these are the stakes this fall, just as they were in 2020 and will be in 2024. Those who wish to desecrate our democracy, our Constitution, and our flag by subverting the power of voters are working around the clock in our state to find new paths to permanent power.
To defeat the forces of authoritarianism, we must meet voters where they are—and demonstrate that we will not only keep fighting for their rights and freedoms as voters, but also that we will never cease in fighting, through democratic means, to deliver on their everyday concerns: to bring costs down and wages up, to ensure great jobs and great schools in our state, to ensure we have paved roads, breathable air, drinkable water, and equal justice for all. To build a Wisconsin that lifts up everyone, no matter where they live or what they look like.
We can’t expect the January 6 Committee hearings to change the minds of the likes of Tim Ramthun, Tim Michels, or Rebecca Kleefisch. But we can watch these hearings, learn from them, and then channel the outrage and heartbreak that they provoke into the energy we need to win this November.
After all, Wisconsin, every bit as much—or more—than Washington, DC, will determine whether this moment of crisis for our democracy is merely a prologue to worse—or becomes a turning point towards something better.
In solidarity,
Ben |
FIGHT |
| Tim Michels Flip-Flops On Fundraising, Starts Asking for Cash |
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Tim Michels is learning the hard way how challenging it is to run a campaign for governor. While he has said that he won’t ask people for money and that he would not “owe anyone anything,” he quickly changed course according to the Journal Sentinel.
Not only did Michels ask for money just three days after he announced his candidacy for governor over email, he has made plenty of asks on conservative radio as well. If Michels is already breaking his own promises on campaign fundraising, how can Wisconsinites trust him to lead the state?
Read more on Michels’ fundraising flip-flop in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. |
| Gov. Evers Calls Special Session to Repeal Wisconsin’s 1849 Abortion Ban |
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Governor Evers announced a special session of the Legislature to repeal the pre-Civil War law that criminalizes almost all abortion in Wisconsin.
All four Republicans running for governor have advocated for restrictions that go beyond the 1849 law. This includes the Trump-endorsed Tim Michels as well as Rebecca Kleefisch, who told Milwaukee’s Fox 6 that she supports a total ban on abortion in Wisconsin even in cases of rape and incest, and she also opposed an exception to protect the life of a patient.
Governor Evers will continue doing the right thing to protect a patient’s ability to make their own health care decisions. He is the last line of defense in Wisconsin on protecting access to abortion and has already vetoed nine bills restricting abortion and reproductive health care pushed by Wisconsin Republicans. |
| Ron Johnson Can’t Escape The Facts on Tax Giveaway |
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For months, Ron Johnson has struggled to defend his self-serving record – including his push to pass a special tax break in the 2017 GOP tax bill that he now admits benefitted himself and his donors. Johnson has tried to argue his handout for the rich was – as he put it – “for the many, not the few” but the facts show otherwise.
This week, PolitiFact issued a “true” rating to the argument that Johnson’s prized tax break disproportionately benefited the ultra wealthy, including himself and his biggest donors – three of whom benefitted to the tune of $215 million in a single year. In fact, one April 2021 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the top 1% of Americans by income had received 60% of the tax savings from Johnson’s provision.
Whatever Johnson might try to argue, the special tax break he fought for was hardly “for the many” – and the facts prove it. |
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INCLUDE & RESPECT |
| Celebrate Juneteenth With WisDems |
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Juneteenth—a day of celebration of remembrance, marking the date in 1865 that news finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas that that slavery had been abolished—has been celebrated across Wisconsin for decades. It’s a day both to celebrate freedom and the defeat of slavery, and also to recommit to the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality in America. Across Wisconsin, WisDems will be celebrating. If you are able to come, stop by our booth to volunteer or to meet your local county Dems! |
| Happy Pride! |
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For the first time in Wisconsin state history, the Progress Pride Flag is being flown over our state capitol. The Progress Pride flag was developed in 2018 as a way to celebrate the diversity that makes up the LGBTQ+ community and calls for a more inclusive and equitable society. Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Democrats are fighting for this inclusive and Pro-equality society, not just during Pride but year round! |
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| WisDems Coalitions Team Job Openings |
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LGBTQ+ Coalitions Manager – As a LGBTQ+ Coalitions Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and Coordinated partners prioritize engaging with and mobilizing LGBTQ+ voters across the state of Wisconsin. You will be building and rebuilding relationships with urban, suburban, rural, BIPOC, Disabled, Faith and other intersecting LGBTQ+ communities on behalf of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
Rural Coalitions Manager – As a Rural Coalitions Manager you will play a key role in ensuring the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and Coordinated partners prioritize engaging with and mobilizing rural voters in Wisconsin. You will be building and rebuilding relationships with rural constituents to turn out the voter in rural counties and build cross-county connections for Democrats.
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EMPOWER The Grassroots |
| State Convention Reminders |
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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! |
| WisDems Week of Service |
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Our WisDems Week of Service runs from June 10th to 16th. The Week of Service is a great opportunity to get involved with your local community and make a difference. Join us at events across the state as we give back to our local communities by supporting great causes and organizations, such as the Superior Food Shelter and Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay.
Visit wisdems.org/weekofservice to sign up! |
| Week of Service Social Media Toolkit |
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| Week of Service Social Media Toolkit |
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Help spread the word about WisDems Week of Service on social media with our new toolkit—You’ll find sample social media posts and graphics to share: wisdems.org/june-social
Don’t forget to use #WisDemsinService and tag @WisDems when posting about Week of Service. We may retweet/share your post! |
| Upcoming Summer Greenfly Trainings |
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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.
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. |
| Become a Monthly Donor |
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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!
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