Dear fellow Wisconsin Democrats,

Hello from Felesia Martin, your Wisconsin Democratic Party Vice Chair stepping in for Chair Wikler this week.

This Monday is Labor Day, a time to celebrate the labor movement and recommit to advancing pro-worker policies through our work and advocacy.

The labor movement is woven throughout the history of our state and nation. Workers have stood united from the first recorded strike for labor rights on American soil in 1619, to the passage of critical workers’ rights legislation in the 1930s and the fight to protect unions right here in Wisconsin in 2010, demanding fair treatment in an economy that works for everyone–not just the wealthy few.

We have made significant progress toward achieving that goal of building an economy that works for working families, in part due to the leadership of President Biden, the most pro-worker, pro-union, and pro-jobs president of our lifetime. President Biden has worked with Democrats from Washington to Madison to overcome Republican opposition and create thousands of good-paying jobs and support pro-worker legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the American Rescue Plan.

It’d be remiss not to mention the obstacles which still impede the progress of working people fighting for fair treatment at work. Last week, the nurses at UW Health took the courageous step to authorize a strike if their union is not recognized by the UW Hospital Board. We are proud to stand with the UW Health nurses, and with all working people advocating for their rights and demanding a voice in their workplace.

Happy Labor Day, and remember to take the time this weekend to thank your local union organizers for their work!

Felesia

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Tim Michels used his family’s foundation to fund groups–to the tune of $250,000–that advocate for banning abortion and contraception and limiting LGBTQ+ rights.

Michels’ donations include a $175,000 contribution to Wisconsin Right to Life and Pro-Life Wisconsin, groups that have lobbied for a complete ban on abortions without exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother, as well as bans on contraception and in-vitro fertilization. Michels also gave to churches with extreme views on the LGBTQ+ community, including one whose pastor called transgender people an “abomination.”

These contributions are an extension of Michels’ radical agenda. Michels said it was “not unreasonable” to force victims of rape to give birth during his 2004 campaign for Senate, and since starting his campaign, the Republican has said Wisconsin’s 1849 ban on abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest was “an exact mirror” of his position and confirmed he still supports restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites.

Meanwhile, Gov. Evers will continue doing the right thing to protect a person’s ability to make their own health care decisions. He is the last line of defense in Wisconsin to protect access to abortion, having vetoed nine bills pushed by Wisconsin Republicans that would restrict abortion and reproductive health care.

Read more about Tim Michels’ radical anti-choice donations here.

In a new op-ed published today in WisPolitics, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler celebrated Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act and blasted Republicans like Ron Johnson for trying to block the legislation that will cut costs for families across Wisconsin.

Chair Wikler highlighted how the historic legislation tackles some of the greatest challenges our nation faces by lowering costs on everything from life-saving prescription drugs and health care for seniors to home energy costs. President Biden and Democrats took on special interests–and won–in order to deliver real results for working families.

Read Chair Wikler’s new op-ed here

Gov. Evers and Lt. Gov. Barnes attended Mexican Fiesta this past weekend to celebrate  with festival attendees. WisDems Latino Caucus and Latino Coalition also had a booth to talk with voters about the upcoming election and how our Democratic candidates are focused on the issues that matter most to them!

Lt. Gov. Barnes took part in the opening ceremonies on Friday and spoke about the importance of the Latino community in Wisconsin. The lieutenant governor visited with attendees after speaking, receiving support and unbridled enthusiasm from people around the festival grounds!

On Saturday afternoon, Gov. Evers visited Mexican Fiesta to enjoy the music, food, and greet festival attendees. The governor mingled with folks all throughout the park and ended his visit at the social services tent with the Latino Caucus and Latino Coalition to talk about the importance of voting this November!

Last weekend, Gov. Evers, Lt. Gov. Barnes, and the WisDems Native American Coalition attended the Neesh-La Ho Chunk Pow-Wow in Baraboo to speak to attendees about Democrats’ work supporting Indigenous communities across Wisconsin.

Our Democratic Party County units had a busy month of August jam-packed with picnics, parades, and pride! From Milwaukee County up to St. Croix County, Democrats throughout Wisconsin have been hard at work to re-elect Gov. Evers and AG Kaul and send Lt. Gov. Barnes to the Senate!

See what we were up to last month!