Wisconsin
Over the years, Wisconsin has proved to be the ultimate swing state. It is a battleground state that must be protected as a progressive stronghold because of its history as a "laboratory of reform," which has historically tested new public policies and set examples for the nation.
| Wisconsin Legislature | ||
Democrats |
Republicans |
|
| Senate | ||
| 2004 | 15 |
18 |
| 2006 | 14 |
19 |
| Today | 18 |
15 |
| House | ||
| 2004 | 41 |
58 |
| 2006 | 39 |
59 |
| Today | 47 |
52 |
Wisconsin is a state with progressive urban areas and politically diverse rural areas. Progressive Majority's state-based approach to candidate recruitment and development is well-suited to adapting to unique political environments such as this.
Progressive Majority Wisconsin believes values-centered campaigns are winning campaigns. That's how Progressive Majority succeeded in flipping control of the state senate in 2006. Kathleen Vinehout won because she thinks everyone deserves affordable health care. Jim Sullivan took a suburban Milwaukee district on the strength of his commitment to good public schools. John Lehman wants a government that cares about people instead of corporations - Racine agrees. Pat Kreitlow knows that people want and deserve a healthy environment. And Kim Hixson squeaked out a win, by focusing on the hopes of local voters. We will continue nurturing local candidates to build a deeply-rooted progressive coalition in the state. In addition, Wisconsin staff will focus on incumbent protection efforts for progressive candidates that will face tough re-election bids in 2008.
Click here to visit the Progressive Majority Wisconsin website for more information
Jessica King
Candidate for Wisconsin State Senate - District 18 (Challenger)
Oshkosh, East Winnebago County
Jessica King is just the kind of pipeline candidate we love to see emerge from our training and campaign assistance. Jessica has been a farm team member since 2005. She knew she wanted to run for office some day, and Progressive Majority helped guide her along the way, developing her campaign skills and defining her platform. When the time was right, she ran for Oshkosh City Council, and her 2007 victory helped flip the council to a progressive majority!
Jessica is now running for state Senate in an open seat being vacated by a conservative incumbent. This district is key to expanding the one-seat majority currently held in the Senate. Having grown up in Fond du Lac County, the rural, more conservative part of the Senate district, Jessica has a natural base in an area where progressives usually struggle. Her long history in the community - she went to grade school through college and now practices law in the district - will enable her to cross party and ideological lines, build consensus and work for real change.
Young, talented, and committed to her community, Jessica King is a real example of the progressive political pipeline we're working to create.
Sandy Pasch
Candidate for Wisconsin State House - District 22 (Open Seat)
Fox Point, River Hills, Glendale, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood
Sandy Pasch is running in an open seat vacated by Democrat Sheldon Wasserman, who is running for the State Senate to challenge conservative Alberta Darling. The 22nd is a seat that Democrats must protect. Sandy Pasch entered the race early and has been campaigning aggressively. Sandy has attended Camp Wellstone and secured the endorsement of the Inspector of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, the Milwaukee District Attorney, and many prominent progressive activists. Sandy is a registered nurse and 21-year resident of the 22nd district. She is married and has rasied three grown children. As a second job, Sandy teaches ethics, mental health, and community nursing at Columbia School of Nursing. She also serves on numerous community boards and works with the Milwaukee Police Department conducting training on how to effectively deal with people living with mental illness.
Paul Tubbs
Candidate for Wisconsin State House - District 34 (Challenger)
Oneida and Vilas Counties
As a school guidance counselor and Rhinelander School Board Member, Paul Tubbs has committed his life to the children and families in his district.. He is now ready to take his experience and skills to the state level, representing the 34th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Paul understands that the key to economic prosperity is excellent schools and healthy children and families. He will work to bring good-paying, family-supporting jobs to his community, make sure Wisconsin's education system remains top-notch, and fight for affordable health care.
Paul is challenging an incumbent whose votes have consistently lined up with the conservative leadership in Madison instead of with the best interests of his district. Paul has knocked on thousands of doors in his community and has heard loud and clear that the people of the 34th Assembly District are ready for new leadership.
Kristen Dexter
Candidate for Wisconsin State House - District 68 (Challenger)
Altoona, Eau Claire, Fall Creek
Kristen Dexter is running an aggressive, smart campaign for the 68th Assembly seat. Kristen was a star campaign volunteer for Pat Kreitlow, a Progressive Majority candidate elected to the state Senate in 2006. Kristen is running because she wants to bring needed change to Madison, holding state representatives accountable to the people rather than big business or special interests.
Kristen's commitment to children and families in the Chippewa Valley is evident. She was elected to the Altoona School Board in 2001 and has served as Clerk of the Board since 2004. She also serves on the Regional Steering Committee for Health Literacy Wisconsin. Kristen learned the value of hard work growing up on her family's farm. She thinks it is time to put an end to the petty bickering in Madison and to get to work solving the problems that we face as a state. As state representative, she will continue to work for health care reform, to improve the economy, and to keep our education system strong in order to prepare our kids for the future.
Dale Klemme
Candidate for Wisconsin State House - District 96 (Challenger)
Prairie du Chien, Gays Mills, Viroqua, Hillsboro
Dale Klemme is running for the 96th Assembly District seat - a top target for us in 2008. We identified and recruited Dale to run in the Spring of 2007. Dale is working to unseat Lee Nerison, a conservative Assembly member who has consistently voted along party lines. Dale is a community development planner who has lived in the district for 30 years, and his wife is the Mayor of Prarie du Chien. He is an active member of the Praire du Chien community, participating in the Praire du Chien Chamber and School Board. He is also a Vietnam veteran.
Adam Warpinksi
Candidate for Brown County Board - District 1 (Incumbent)
Adam has been a member of our farm team since late 2005, and was first successfully fielded by Progressive Majority to the Brown County Board in 2006. At 25 years old, Adam is currently the youngest member of the board. He is an organizer for the League of Conservation Voters, a partner organization and member of our Advisory Council. Adam is a great champion for progressive values.
Jack Krueger
Candidate for Brown County Board - District 5 (Incumbent)
Jack is a retired AFSCME member who has been a leader on the Brown County Board, especially in the area of protecting workers and fair labor practices. After the 2006 election, Jack was one vote shy of becoming the Brown County Board Chairman, and has since worked tirelessly to recruit and help elect progressive candidates. Our work in 2008 has been tied closely to working with Jack and other progressive partners in Brown County. Four years ago, there was much doubt that progressives could make inroads into this historically conservative part of the state. Jack has been instrumental in helping shift that perception.
Carole Andrews
Candidate for Brown County Board - District 15 (Open Seat)
Carole Andrews has an extensive policy background and has worked on Democratic campaigns in Green Bay and Brown County for several election cycles. We know she will make a great addition to the Board.
Rob Zerban
Candidate for Kenosha County Board - District 5 (Open Seat)
Rob Zerban was elected a Kenosha County Supervisor in April of 2008. Rob is an enterpreneur who has started several food service companies in Illinois. He was recruited by our Kenosha County Task Force in July 2007 to run for this seat.
Jennifer Jackson
Candidate for Kenosha County Board - District 20 (Incumbent)
When Jennifer Jackson was elected to the Kenosha County Board, she was the most outspoken progressive, and the lone progressive woman. In 2008, she led our recruitment task force and worked with us to recruit new candidates to Kenosha local elected positions. Jenn is a stay-at-home mom and a leader in the environmental community.
Bill Brockmiller
Candidate for La Crosse County Board - District 13 (Open Seat)
Bill Brockmiller was a first-time candidate when he won his seat on the La Crosse County Board in 2008. Bill is active in his union as a Labor Market Analyst for AFSCME and a member of the bargaining unit.
Beverly Mach
Candidate for La Crosse County Board - District 15 (Challenger)
Beverly Mach was recruited to run for the La Crosse County Board by our regional task force in Spring of 2008, and she emerged victorious. Beverly has lived in her district for more than 39 years and has strong ties to the community. Prior to her retirement, Beverly was a career advisor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Tara Johnson
Candidate for La Crosse County Board - District 18 (Incumbent)
Tara Johnson was recruited to the Progressive Majority Farm Team in the fall of 2007. She is currently serving her fifth term on the La Crosse County Board. Tara is the former executive director of United Way and currently a stay-at-home mom. On the La Crosse County Board, she is the chair of Health and Human Services Committee and Second Vice-Chair of the board. Tara is well respected and admired for her ability to fight for progressive values while building consensus among her peers.
Marina Dimitrijevic
Candidate for Milwaukee County Board - District 4 (Incumbent)
Marina was first elected in 2004 as the youngest-ever person (then 22) elected to the Milwaukee County Board. In her first two terms as Supervisor, she held over 50 town hall meetings, served on more than 30 community organizations and worked to promote progressive legislation including a GreenPrint Plan that she authored and passed in 2007. Marina is a rising star in Milwaukee politics and is committed to building a movement of young progressives.
Chris Larson
Candidate for Milwaukee County Board - District 14 (Open Seat)
Chris Larson was recruited by Progressive Majority to run for a then-open seat on the Milwaukee County Board in 2008. He is committed to protecting the county parks and fixing the public transit system and will be an important voice on the Milwaukee County Board.
Diane Lange
Candidate for Racine County Board - District 6 (Incumbent)
Diane Lange is active in the Racine women's progressive moovement, is an SEIU member working as a public nurse and a vocal challenger to conservative mismanagement in her county govnerment. Diane is an active community member, serving on the Board of Directors for Youth Connections, a member of the Hispanic Roundtable, and State Board Member for her SEIU Local.
Ken Hall
Candidate for Racine County Board - District 15 (Incumbent)
Ken Hall has been a member of our farm team since 2005 and was first elected to the Racine County Board in 2006. Since then, he has been working to recruit and train other progressive candidates for various local offices in his community. Ken and his wife, Debra, are building a progressive movement in Racine; Debra chairs the newly formed Racine Progressive Women's Network, a group of 200 women working for political accountability and positive change in southeastern Wisconsin. Ken has a history of community service and activism and has been strongly supported by labor.
Katie Kuznacic
Candidate for Rock County Board - District 29 (Challenger)
Katie Kuznacic is an elected member of the Rock County Board. She works as a legislative assistant to progressive Assembly Representative Michael Sheridan and specializes in constituent relationships. Katie is supported by United Auto Workers and the local Labor Council.
Mike Giese
Candidate for Mayor of Onalaska (Open Seat)
Mike Giese served on the Onalaska City Council for six years before running for mayor unsuccessfully against a long-time incumbent. In his second attempt running for mayor in 2008, he was victorious by nine votes. Mike is a former owner of the Onalaska Community Life Newspaper, which he sold when he decided to seek public office. Mike made progressive issues, such as health care and the environment, the centerpiece of his campaign. With his election, now he can put those values into action.
Celestine Jeffreys
Candidate for Green Bay City Council - District 7 (Incumbent)
Celestine is currently one of Wisconsin's rising political stars. She was elected to the Green Bay City Council and is currently the only woman and only person of color on the council. Progressive Majority recruited her in 2006, when she successfully won her first election. In her first term as Councilwoman, Celestine stood for the separation of church and state against a controversial ordinance that allowed a nativity scene to be placed a top City Hall. We need more progressive champions like Celestine in Green Bay and all across Wisconsin.
Michael Orth
Candidate for Kenosha City Council - District 15 (Challenger)
Michael is a lifelong Kenosha resident whose election to the Kenosha City Council was his first race. Michael and his wife have two small children and are active members of the community. Both he and his wife are teachers in the Kenosha public schools - Michael teaches history and is very active in the local teachers' union, as well as Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), the Wisconsin chapter of the NEA. Michael is a great elected official and we see him as a rising star in the progressive movement.
Anthony Kennedy
Candidate for Kenosha City Council - District 10 (Open Seat)
We first met Anthony Kennedy in January 2007, and convinced him to run for local office. As a community member, Anthony has been involved with the NAACP, the local Democratic Party, and is a former AFSCME member and campaign manager for other local candidates. In 2008, Anthony successfully won a seat on the Kenosha City Council.
Gilbert Ostman
Candidate for Kenosha Unified School Board - At Large (Incumbent)
Gilbert Ostman is a member of the Kenosha School Board. He has been a leader and teacher in the Kenosha School District for more than 30 years. He retired from teaching social studies and driver's education in 1999. In addition to his many hours in the classroom, Gilbert has worked in the community. He has coached soccer, served on the Mayor's Youth Commission, helped found the Youth Memorial in one of Kenosha's parks, and is a lifetime member of the NEA and KEA (Kenosha Education Association). His knowledge and experience with issues important to both educators and students makes him a critical member of the school board.
Pamala Handrow
Candidate for Racine School Board - At Large (Challenger)
Pam Handrow was a founding member of the Racine Women's Progressive Network and has been an agent of change in Racine County for years. Currently Pam teaches adult education and labor law. Pam started her professional career as a social worker, which later prompted her to attend law school. She also has a master's degree in library science. Pam has assisted countless children and families in attaining important social services and has worked as a mediator. Her education and her life experience instilled in her a deep dedication to improving the lives of children.
Melvin Hargrove
Candidate for Racine School Board - At Large (Incumbent)
Melvin Hargrove was first appointed to serve on the Racine School Board in December 2007, and won his first election to the post in 2008. A lifelong resident of Racine and founding pastor of Zoe Outreach Ministries, Melvin sees first-hand how education is critical to the Racine community. Melvin plans to improve area schools by working with state legislators to address Wisconsin's school funding crisis. Melvin is the only African American serving on the Racine School Board.
Dennis Wiser
Candidate for Racine School Board - At Large (Challenger)
Dennis Wiser is a retired math teacher from Case High School, where he spent over 30 years in the classroom and working for the teachers' union. We recruited Dennis to run through our network of women in the Racine Women's Progressive Network, and he won election to the School Board in April, 2008.
