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
MAY 19TH HYBRID MEETING
Our next meeting will be in person at the Shawano Civic Center (225 S. Main St.) as well as on Zoom. Sarah Godlewski will be joining us virtually at 7:00 pm. A Zoom link will be sent out prior to the meeting.
WISCONSIN STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
Because of the continued safety precautions due to COVID-19, the state Democratic Party will be having its June 5-6 convention virtually. Let us know if you want to be a delegate.
MAY’S LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed favor President Biden’s American Job’s Plan for improving our infrastructure. It would fix our roads, bridges and water systems as well as give broadband access and affordability to all. Governor Evers’ Bounceback Better agenda also wants to invest in the infrastructure that would make Wisconsin a safer place to live and a better climate for rural businesses.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 13: Listen to WTCH’s Breakfast Club from 8:00-9:00 am on 960 AM & 96.1 FM.
May 19: 7:00 pm Dems’ meeting at the Shawano Civic Center and on Zoom
June 5-6: Democratic State Convention on Zoom
Oct. 2: Fundraising Dinner at Shawano Lake Golf Course
Chair’s Comments
The 2020 census has been taken and now the state and counties must wait for the results before they can draw the district lines which will be in effect for the next ten years. For the past decade we have been living with the state Assembly, Senate and Congressional maps which were drawn using precise computer tools that enabled the Republicans in power to “pack” and “crack” districts to gain more seats.
This gerrymandering caused the Democrats to win only 36% of the seats in the 2018 Assembly race even though they received 54% of the vote.
This unfairness caused Governor Evers to set up a Fair Maps Commission which is in the process of drawing nonpartisan district maps which will ensure meaningful elections in which all votes count. Once the data is made public this fall, it is anticipated that the Republicans will present their new gerrymandered-maps to the governor. Since he will veto these maps, a court will be deciding on which version of the maps will become law.
A new grassroots non-partisan group called the Shawano Fairness Coalition wants to challenge the status quo and educate workers about the political advantage created by gerrymandering. Too many popular issues to the well-being of Wisconsinites are being ignored by the Wisconsin Legislature. The low wages in Shawano County is their first issue. Learn more by joining their Facebook Group.