March and April, 2023 Newsletter

WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?

The future freedom in our state depends on the election of Judge Janet Protasiewicz to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Experts believe there is a clear-cut case that would overturn the 1849 abortion ban which is already working its way through the lower courts. But if the Supreme Court continues its pattern of right judicial activism, then it’s a near-certainty the Supreme Court would declare the ban in full effect. Voter suppression, gerrymandered maps and anti-union decisions will continue if we fail to elect a progressive justice.

Also on the ballot are two constitutional amendment changes. Question 1 is about conditions of release before conviction. Question 2 is about cash bail before conviction. The ballot questions are ambiguous and misleading. Increased pretrial detention and denial of bail will violate the rights of those who are innocent until proven guilty, increase costs for rural jails, and adversely impact the less affluent. Please vote NO on these amendments.

There is a quick turnaround between when absentee ballots will be sent out (March 15) and the April 4th election. If there is a chance that your ballot won’t be received on time (mail by March 27th) voters are asked to either early vote with their municipal clerk from March 21-31 or vote on election day. Any voting questions can be answered by calling the Voter Protection Line at 866-336-3232.

SIGNS AND FLAGS

Our office at 1404 E. Green Bay Street will open on Friday, March 10th. It will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm until the election. We will soon be getting yard signs for Judge Janet. We will also have progressive flags for sale. Stop in and talk to Carrie. Sign up to make phone calls or write postcards to encourage others to vote in this important election.

HOW THE SUPREME COURT RACES BECAME SO PARTISAN”

Matt Rothchild, the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, will be speaking on this topic at our March 15th 7:00 pm zoom meeting. This nonprofit group is dedicated to clean, open democratic government where everyone has an equal voice .It is a nonpartisan watchdog that tracks and exposes money in politics. The zoom link will be sent out via email.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 9 and April 6: Breakfast Club on WTCH 960 am. 8:00-9:00 am.

March 10: Democratic office open from 11:00 am–4:00 pm

March 15: 7:00 pm Zoom Membership Meeting with Matt Rothchild from the WI Democracy Campaign

March 21: Early voting begins

April 4: Spring General Election 7:00 am—8:00 pm

CONVENTION DATES

The 8th Congressional District’s Convention will be held on April 29th in Sturgeon Bay. The State Convention will from June 10-11 in Green Bay. If you wish to be a delegate, let Jan Koch know. You don’t need to be a member to attend.

Chair’s Comments

We were successful in putting Judge Janet on the ballot. Shawano County increased primary voter turnout from the low 20s to over 30 percent. Some of the increase may be attributed to TV advertisements but we also had volunteers calling Democrats across Shawano County to inform them to vote for one of progressive candidates (Thank You!). We also invested in radio ads on WTCH and WOWN.

We plan to continue our calling efforts and will also have postcards in the office for volunteers to pick up. Weekends of Action will inform voters of the election’s importance through door canvassing and phone calls. Please volunteer.

Jan Koch, Chair

SHAWANO COUNTY DEMS: July, 2021 Newsletter

MARCH AND RALLY

On Saturday, July 17th the Shawano Fairness Coalition will be having a march from Franklin Park to the Shawano County Courthouse.  Participants can gather at 1:00 pm, sign petitions for fair (non-gerrymandered) voting maps and higher wages in Shawano County and pick up a sign.  The group will then walk to the rally at the courthouse where former assembly woman Penny Bernard Schafer will be speaking about redistricting reform and how it is needed if we are to have any progress in making our state more progressive.  Join them!

JULY 21 HYBRID MEETING

One of the six United States Senate candidates will be on Zoom with us at our July meeting.  State Senator Chris Larson is from the Milwaukee area.  He has been a champion for many progressive issues that we care about.  The in-person meeting begins at 7:00 pm at the Shawano Civic Center or you can view on Zoom.  The link will be sent out prior to the meeting.

SUMMER PICNIC

The Shawano Dems will be having a picnic on August 19th at Kuckuk Park in Shawano from 5:00-7:00 pm.  U.S.Senate candidates Alex Lasry and Gillian Battino have tentatively agreed to attend. We will have pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, beans and dessert.  No need to bring anything.  At the picnic we will be a thanking our many volunteers who helped during the past year. Plan to attend.

JULY LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Governor Evers has signed the 2021-2023 budget.  It increased funding for education beyond what the Republicans wanted to spend.  Using his constitutional authority, he was able to ensure Wisconsin gets the American Rescue Plan money by adding $100 million in new federal money for schools.  He also restored the state’s two-thirds funding to school districts by providing roughly $685 million in school aids.  Now there will be more money for students with disabilities and mental health services.

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 21:  7:00 pm Dems’ meeting at the Shawano Civic Center and on Zoom

August 19:  Picnic at Kuckuk Park 5-7 pm

Oct. 2:  Fundraising Dinner at Shawano Lake Golf Course

Chair’s Comments

In August and September, we will be calling on our volunteers to help us reach out to voters.   During the weekends of August 21 and 28 we can begin to knock doors and engage in face-to-face conversations.  This year we will go back to having a booth at the Shawano County Fair.  We will need volunteers to work 2-3 hours shifts each of days from September 2nd through 6th

You can sign up to work at the fair at our July 21st meeting or at the August 19th picnic.  If you can’t make either of those events, please call me at the number listed below or email me at shawanodems2@gmail.com if you’d like to sign up.  Those working at the fair will get a free pass which includes parking.

Our fall fundraising dinner is being held on October 2nd.  We will have raffle baskets.  If you have any items that you would like to donate for the bucket raffles, please bring them to one of our events.  Any grey donkey item (something you have that is in good condition but is taking up space) is fine too.  Reservation information will be sent out next month.  Tom Nelson, Outagamie County Executive and candidate for U.S. Senate, will be speaking.

We will also be having a quilt raffle.  You can purchase tickets at the picnic, the fair booth or the fall dinner.  The ticket will be drawn at the dinner.

Shawano County Dems – June, 2021 Newsletter

UNITED STATES SENATE CANDIDATES

Now there are six candidates vying for the chance to defeat Ron Johnson in the November, 2022 election. In addition to Tom Nelson, Alex Lowry, Sarah Godlewski and Gillian Battino, the following candidates have announced their candidacy.

State Senator Chris Larson wants to unrig the system in addition to stopping the fascism that has been taking over America.  He believes in affordable child care, paid family leave and access to healthcare for all.  He will Zoom with us at our July 21st meeting.  https://voteforlarson.org/

Steve Olikara is the founder and former CEO of the Millennial Action Project which trains young elected officials to build diverse coalitions for real change.  He wants to lead with the values of dignity, inclusion and compassion.  You can find out more at https://www.stevenolikara.com/.

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Shawano County Dems – May, 2021 Newsletter

UNITED STATES SENATE CANDIDATES
So far there are four candidates vying for the chance to defeat Ron Johnson in the November, 2022 election.

Sarah Godlewski will be speaking at our May 19th meeting.  She is a small business woman and our State Treasurer.  She is running to fix Ron Johnson’s mess and get Washington laser-focused on the kitchen table issues facing Wisconsin families.   www.sarahforwisconsin.com.

Tom Nelson has been the Outagamie County Executive since 2011. He previously spent six years in the Wisconsin Assembly. He believes we need real leaders in Washington who will take COVID seriously.  www.nelsonforwi.com

Alex Lasry is a businessman and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.  He served in the Obama White House.  Alex is running to bring a new way of thinking to Washington and deliver real results for Wisconsinites.  www.alexlasry.com

Gillian Battino is a radiologist from Wausau.  She spent more than 20 years in medicine and public service.  She wants to use her empathy to build a brighter future for all of Wisconsin.  www.battinoforsenate.us
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Shawano Dems January/February Newsletter

Scroll down to get the video link.

SPRING ELECTIONS
It seems like yesterday that we elected Joe Biden President and Kamala Harris Vice-President. Now it’s time to take our enthusiasm for change into 2021.

The only state election is for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  There are seven candidates who will be on the ballot in the February 16th primary.  Two of them have been invited to come to our January 20th Zoom meeting which will be held at 6:00 pm since the candidates will be involved in a Forum from 6:30-8:00 pm.  Shelia Briggs is presently the Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Jill Underly is the Superintendent of Schools for the Pecatonica Area.  Also reaching out for support from the Shawano Dems was Dr. Shandowlyon Hendricks who is an author and consultant in Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals for District 3 has three candidates.  Antigo attorney Aaron Loudenslager and Wausau attorney Rick Cveykus have both wanted help from the party.
Website information about all the candidates can be found on our website.

Those living in the School District of Shawano have an opportunity to vote for Robin Raber Bergeron for the Shawano School Board in the at-large member position.  Robin works as a clinical social worker and substance abuse counselor In her private practice in Shawano .  She is active in her daughter’s school’s PTA and PTO.

Also, in the primary will be candidates for Shawano Alderperson for District One.  Maureen (Muffy) Culhane and Daniel Poels will be on the ballot with two others.  Muffy is a pharmacist at ThedaCare and board president for SAM25.  She is also on the board for Red River Riders.  Dan is an insurance agent for Humana with 12 years of experience in the Medicare industry.  He has done volunteer work for Shawano Pathways and is a volunteer driver with SHHS to bring people to their doctor’s visits.

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