AUGUST 14^TH PRIMARY ELECTION

   The Democrats have many decisions to make as they go to the polls on Tuesday.  There are still eight candidates actively running for governor.  The group Wisconsin Choice has been polling Democrats in order to narrow the field.  Kelda Roys, Kathleen Vinehout, Mike McCabe and Mahlon Mitchell have risen to the top among those who have given their opinion.  Of those Roys (keldaforgovernor.com), Vinehout (kathleenvinehout.org) and McCabe (governorbluejeans.com) have all visited Shawano County in person or through an internet conversation.  Kelda Roys has won most of the straw polls that have been conducted around the state. 
   The Lieutenant Governor candidates Mandela Barnes (mandelabarnes.com) and Kurt Kober (kurtkober.com) have both come to Shawano. The only State Treasurer candidate visiting here was Sarah Godlewski (sarahforwisconsin.com). 
   Information on the 6^th Assembly candidates Richard Sarnwick (Sarnwick for Assembly) and William Switalla (Friends of Switalla) can both be found on Facebook.

AUGUST 15^TH DEMS MEETINGS

The next Shawano Dems’ meeting is August 15^th beginning at 7:00 pm at the Shawano Civic Center.  Max Morales, the field organizer for Shawano County, and Fellow Liza Long will be explaining their strategies for winning in the November 6^th midterms.  Anyone wishing to be a part of an Action Team should come at 6;00 pm to learn more about how they can help.

OFFICE OPENING ON AUGUST 22^ND

The Shawano Dems will have an office at 105 Airport Road (across from Perkins and next to Joker Fireworks).  An office opening celebration will be held on August 22^nd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.  There will be music, a light meal, and speeches by candidates.  Beau Liegeois, who is running for the 8^th Congressional District and the 6^th and 35^th Assembly candidates will be present.
   This will be an opportunity to pick up Tammy Baldwin signs and learn more about the candidates.  The office hours have not yet been determined and will depend on the office staffing.  If you can take shifts at the office contact Jan Koch at shawanodems2@gmail.com, text to 715-296-6726 or sign up in the office.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Aug. 9:  Listen to the Shawano Dems on the WTCH Breakfast Club 8:00-9:00 am at 960 am.
 
Aug. 14:  Vote in the primary between 7am-8pm.
 
Aug. 15:  Shawano Dems meeting at 7:00 pm at the Civic Center.  Meet Max Morales, field organizer.
 
Aug. 29-Sept. 3:  Shawano County Fair
 
Sept 5:  Executive Committee Meeting at 6:00 pm
Civic Center.
 
Oct. 6:  Fall Dinner at Shawano Lake Golf Course

Chair’s Comments

Now is the time to step up and make a difference.  The future of our democracy is on the line.  You can help in a variety of ways.  Contact us to help turn Wisconsin blue.
   Join the Action Team and reach out to voters through phone banking or knocking on doors. You can come by during office hours and pick up a phone or walk packet to do on your own time. 
   Volunteer to supervise the office by greeting people and directing them as necessary, answering the phone and taking messages and providing other support such as putting canvassing packets together,
   Volunteering in our booth at the Shawano County Fair is another way of talking with voters.  By taking a 2-3 hour shift, you will get a free pass to the fair with parking.  Our booth will have voter information and a wall quilt raffle.  Signs, candidate literature, bumper stickers and buttons will also be available.
 
Jan Koch, Chair   715-526-2955; 715-296-6726 (cell)
Dan Weidner, 1st Vice Chair  715-250-1212
William Switalla, 2^nd Vice Chair  715-253-2052

TOWN HALL MEETING

Voters in the 6^th Assembly District are invited to hear the candidates speak on June 20^th at the Shawano Civic Center (225 S. Main St.) beginning at 7:00 pm.  The Shawano Area Women’s Network (SAWN) is sponsoring the event.

All four candidates have been invited to attend including Democratic candidates Richard Sarnwick and William Switalla, Libertarian candidate Mike Hammond and Republican candidate Gary Tauchen.  Using a town hall meeting format, each candidate will be asked questions on topics affecting local concerns.

POT LUCK AND MEETING IN ELAND

The next Shawano Dems’ meeting will be moved up a week to June 27^th.   In an attempt to reach out to western Shawano County residents, the meeting will be held at the Historic Eland Depot which is at the end of Wheeler Avenue in the Village of Eland.

A pot luck will be begin at 6:00 pm. with music provided by popular local musician, Randy Bruce.  At 7:00 pm Mark Martello, candidate for the 35th Assembly District and Corban Gehler, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, will be speaking.  Other candidates have been invited and may also be attending.  The Shawano Dems’ meeting will follow.

Yard signs for Tammy Baldwin can be picked up at the event.  If you would like to car pool from Shawano, call or text Dan Weidner at 715-250-1212.

4^TH OF JULY FESTIVITIES

The Shawano Dems will be participating in two parades celebrating our country’s independence.  The Gresham parade will be on June 30^th and the Bonduel parade is on the 4^th of July.  Both begin at 11:00 am.

The “Blue Wave” will be the theme.  Anyone who could help out by riding in the convertible or carrying signs promoting the progressive values of Education, Economy, Equality and Ecology should contact Jan Koch (715-526-2955).

There is still a need for housing for a district organizer and an office for the upcoming elections.

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 14:  Listen to the Shawano Dems on the WTCH Breakfast Club 8:00-9:00 am at 960 am.

June 20:  6^th Assembly District Town Hall Meeting at the Civic Center at 7:00 pm.

June 27:  6:00 pm pot luck and 7:00 pm Shawano Dems’ meeting at the Eland Train Depot. Speakers include Mark Martello and Corban Gehler.

June 30: 11:00 am parade in Gresham

July 4:  11:00 am parade in Bonduel

July 5:  Executive Committee Meeting at 6:00 pm

July 26:  Picnic at Kuckuk Park

Oct. 6:  Fall Dinner at Shawano Lake Golf Course

Chair’s Comments

There was a lot of enthusiasm at the recent Wisconsin Democratic Convention.  The number of candidates seeking offices shows a strong desire for change.  Speaking at the convention were 10 candidates for governor.  Each of them has strengths.  In a straw poll Kelda Roys emerged with 23% of the vote with 7 of the other candidates scoring around 10% of the vote.

We have been trying to get as many of the candidates as possible to come to Shawano County.  At this point Lieutenant Governor Candidate Mandela Barnes and State Treasurer candidate Sarah Godlowski will be at our July 26^th picnic.

MAY 16TH DINNER AND MEETING

The Shawano Dems invite you to join them in a special night.  Prior to the May meeting, there will be a Mexican dinner (a belated Cinco de Mayo celebration) to be held at the Shawano Civic Center from 6:00-7:00 pm. The dinner which includes a chimichanga, rice, beans, salad, dessert and beverage is $10.  If you plan to attend, please call Jan Koch at 715-526-2955 or email her at shawanodems2@gmail.com.

Those who will be present include the Candidate for the 8th Congressional District, Beau Liegeois, the Candidates for the 6th Assembly District, Richard Sarnwick and William Switalla, and the Candidate for the 36th Assembly District, Tim Comer.  They will each have an opportunity to speak.  Donations are appreciated.

Candidates need to have their nomination papers signed in order to be on the ballot.  Forms will be available for Senator Tammy Baldwin, Secretary of State Douglas LaFollette, Attorney General Candidate, John Kahl and Treasurer Candidate, Sarah Godlewski.  There will be nomination papers for eight of the candidates for governor as well.  They include Tony Evers, Matt Flynn, Andy Gronik, Mike McCabe, Mahlon Mitchell, Kelda Roys, Kathleen Vinehout and Dana Wachs.

The Shawano Dems meeting will begin at 7:00 pm. Anyone wishing to stay for the meeting is welcome.

IT’S CAMPAIGN SEASON

There are important elections coming up.  On August 14th Wisconsin will have a primary. This election will determine who the candidate will be for the 6th Assembly District and who will oppose Governor Walker in the General Election on November 6th.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is in the process of hiring a District Organizer for the upcoming elections in Shawano County.  Housing is needed for this person until the election in November.   If you can help, please let us know.

The Shawano Democratic Party is looking for an office space.  This would be a place for the District Organizer to work, for sign distribution and for phone banking up until Election Day.

Please let us know if you know of a reasonably priced location.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 10:  Listen to the Shawano Dems on the WTCH Breakfast Club 8:00-9:00 am at 960 am.
May 16:  6:00 pm dinner and 7:00 pm Shawano Dems’ meeting at the Civic Center.  Speakers include Beau Liegeois, Richard Sarnwick, William Switalla and Tim Comer.

June 6:  Executive Committee Meeting at 6:00 pm at the Civic Center.  Open to all DPSC members.

Future Events for your calendar:
June 27:  Changes:  Dems’ Meeting in Eland
July 26:  Picnic at Kuckuk Park
Oct. 6:  Fall Dinner at Shawano Lake Golf Course

Chair’s Comments

The Wisconsin State Democratic Convention will be held at the Best Western Convention Center in Oshkosh on June 1-2.  To be a delegate, you must notify us by May 11th.  The pre-registration cost is $25 before May 19th.   The cost at the door is $30.

Membership in the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will also entitle you to be a member of the Democratic Party of Shawano County.  Membership starts at $10 a year.  You can join at www.wisdems.org or by requesting a paper form.

The Democratic candidates need our help to get them elected.  May 19-20 will be a Weekend of Action.  Help will be needed to knock on doors and make phone calls. Volunteer today!  You only have a few more days to fill out our survey.

Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShawanoDems3.

Jan Koch, Chair   715-526-2955; 715-296-6726
Dan Weidner, 1st Vice Chair  715-250-1212
William Switalla, 2nd Vice Chair  715-253-2052

MATT FLYNN TO SPEAK MARCH 21
   Gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn will be at the Shawano Civic Center on Wed., March 21.  He will be speaking at the Shawano Dem’s 7:00 pm meeting.  Flynn is an attorney who was a former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Come and hear Flynn’s views on jobs, health care, clean water, education, roads and political reform.

APRIL 3 ELECTION
In addition to local elections, there will be a state wide judicial race and a ballot initiative.
Rebecca Dallet is running for Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  She has 10 years of judicial experience and is concerned about the use of outside special interest money in the election.  She believes that courts should stand up for people who can’t stand up for themselves, that the right to public education is a core value, and that unions are important in today’s workplace.

The April 3 ballot will also include an amendment to eliminate the office of the Wisconsin State Treasurer from the Wisconsin constitution.  This office has been an elective office which has functioned as the watchdog of the people’s money.  If approved it would transfer duties to personnel appointed by, and/or overseen by the governor’s office.  Vote NO so Wisconsin doesn’t become the only state without a fiscal watchdog,

ORGANIZING COOPERATIVE IN NE WISCONSIN
Citizen’s Action of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization which works to bring about progressive initiatives. Earlier this year the Northeast Wisconsin Organizing Cooperative was formed.  It is a member-owned coalition of individuals committed to empowering actions in the public sphere to achieve social, economic and environmental justice.

As an organizing cooperative it directs the desires of its members. It pledges to protect Medicare, Medicaid and affordable health coverage, to fight the opioid epidemic, and to make Northeast Wisconsin a more progressive place.  Those wishing to be a part of the group can join on-line at www.citizenactionwi.org/join_the_northeast_wi_coop.
Jolie Lizotte has been hired as the cooperative’s professional organizer.  She will be at the April 18 meeting of the Shawano Dems which will be held at the Shawano Civic Center at 7:00 pm.  Come and voice your concerns.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 21:  Shawano Dems’ meeting at 7:00 pm at the Civic Center.  Speaker: Matt Flynn, candidate for governor.  Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments.

April 3:  Be sure and vote!

April 4:  Executive Committee Meeting at 6:00 pm at the Civic Center.  Open to all DPSC members.

April 12:  Listen to the Shawano Dems on the WTCH Breakfast Club 8:00-9:00 am at 960 am.

April 18:  Shawano Dems’ meeting at 7:00 at the Civic Center. Speaker: Professional Organizer Jolie Lizotte.

Chair’s Comments

In this election year, we need to come together and support the efforts to change the direction of our state. Membership in the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will also entitle you to be a member of the Democratic Party of Shawano County.  Membership, which can be secured at www.wisdems.org, starts at $10 a year.

State party membership also allows you to attend conventions.  On Sunday, April 22 the 8^th Congressional District will have its convention at the Menominee Casino Resort beginning at 9;00 am.  The pre-registration cost is $35 which will be reimbursed.

The Wisconsin State Convention will be held at the Best Western Convention Center in Oshkosh on June 1-2.  The reimbursable pre-registration cost is $25.

If you wish to be a delegate to either or both of these conventions, please contact Dan Weidner at the phone/text number below.

Please fill out and return the survey that is either attached or will be emailed to you.  We need your help.

Jan Koch, Chair   715-526-2955; 715-296-6726
Dan Weidner, 1st Vice Chair  715-250-1212
William Switalla, 2^nd Vice Chair  715-253-2052