CONTRIBUTE TO THE BLUE WAVE

Can you feel a change is in the air?  Our office at 105 Airport Road is open and has plenty of room to accommodate those wishing to reach out to voters by making phone calls and picking up packets to knock on doors.  If you would like to volunteer or just have a question, the phone number is 715-201-0809.  If no one answers, you can leave a message and someone will get back to you.

We will be having signs for all of the candidates.  Presently you can pick up signs for Tammy Baldwin, Beau Liegeois, Richard Sarnwick now.  Signs for Tony Evers, Josh Kaul and Sarah Godlewski will be coming within the week.  A $2 donation per sign would be greatly appreciated.

The office hours are still rather limited, but if none of these times are convenient for you, call and other arrangements can be made.  On Saturday the office is open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Canvassers can pick up packets at this time but have the freedom to knock doors on Saturday, Sunday or during the week.  Face to face conversations are the best way to communicate with voters about our candidates.  On Tuesday and Thursday the office will be open from 5:00-8:00 pm.  Phone calls can be made from the office during this time or you can take a packet with you and make calls from your home. 
 
SEPTEMBER 19TH MEETING

The September meeting will be held at the office at 7:00 pm.  Our speaker will be local news writer and past Shawano County Board Administrator, Tom Madsen.  As a lifelong Democrat, Tom will give us his perspective on blue waves past and present.
 
OCTOBER 6TH DINNER

Our fundraising dinner will be held at the Shawano Lake Golf Course on Saturday, October 6th.  The evening will include speeches from candidates, basket raffles and a 50/50 drawing.  The cost is $25.  Reservations should be made by Sept. 28.
 
RURAL MEET AND GREET

An effort is being made to bring state and local candidates to rural areas of Outagamie, Brown and Waupaca Counties on Sunday, October 14th.  The centrally located Pella Town Hall will be the site for Shawano County.  A time frame is being worked out.  Food will be a part of the event.  Look for more information in the October newsletter.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept. 13:  Listen to the Shawano Dems on the WTCH Breakfast Club 8:00-9:00 am at 960 am.

Sept. 15:   Look for our booth at the Bonduel Founder’s Day.  Signs will be available for pick up.

Sept. 19:  Shawano Dems meeting at 7:00 pm at the office at 105 Airport Road.

Oct. 3:  Executive Committee Meeting at 6:00 pm
Dems’ Office.

Oct. 6:  Fall Dinner at Shawano Lake Golf Course

Chair’s Comments

I’m feeling good about the next few months and the Nov. 6th election.  We have excellent candidates who have messages that should resound with voters.  I’m excited every time I hear that someone is stepping up and asking how they can help reach out to voters.  Max Morales, our regional organizer, is working hard to accommodate volunteers and make sure they have the training they desire before they knock doors or make phone calls.  His phone number is 920-659-0793.  If he calls you and you make a commitment to help out, please follow through.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who worked in our Shawano County Fair booth.  A lot of fairgoers shared their feelings on the sheets which said, “I’m voting for Wisconsin Democrats because…”  We will display the comments in our Founder’s Day booth and ask for more.  The patriotic wall quilt raffle was also of interest to many.  The winner was Ericka Kowalkowski.

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