CONTACT: Maria Langholz (715) 209-6463
Powerful progressives running people-powered races for State Assembly against Republican incumbents
MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Working Families Party has announced its endorsement of Chris Rahlf for State Assembly in District 60 and Rebecca Clarke in District 26. Chris Rahlf is running unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face two-term incumbent Robert Brooks in the general election. Rebecca Clarke has no challengers in the Democratic primary but will take on two-term incumbent Terry Katsma in the general election. Katsma recently voted for Governor Scott Walker’s punitive welfare reform bill and was an Act 10 advocate. The primary is August 14.
“Chris and Rebecca are strong women who share our values of putting working families first. They are running smart, people-powered campaigns against incumbents in districts that have been Republican dominated — until this race. Bernie Sanders and Judge Rebecca Dallet both won big in eastern Wisconsin and so can Chris and Rebecca,” said Marina Dimitrijevic, state director of Wisconsin Working Families Party. “They’ve heard the call from voters in their districts for leadership who will work for residents, not be lackeys for Scott Walker and his plutocrat agenda. These races will be tough but Chris and Rebecca come from the grassroots groups in their communities who are fighting back and resisting so they will mobilize and energize activists to work on their behalf and win.”
Chris Rahlf served six years in the Navy as a Civil Engineer Corps officer, working on military bases in the United States and overseas. She went on to work for Honeywell, helping hospitals and school districts save money by implementing energy-saving technologies.
“Wisconsin is a great place for business, but what about being a great place for workers?” said Chris Rahlf. “We need to address the underlying issues to ensure that all workers in our state are earning a family-sustaining wage with a secure retirement. I’m proud to receive the endorsement of the Working Families Party because together, we share these goals.”
Rebecca Clarke is a long time educator. Her job as a park naturalist for the City of Sheboygan was cut as a result of Scott Walker’s anti-worker legislation that passed in 2011. Rebecca appreciates Wisconsin’s history of strong workers’ rights, and its educational and environmental legacy. Rebecca believes recent attacks on teachers and education, the privatization of our natural resources, and the growing lack of openness in government are compromising our Wisconsin values.
“Strong education, sustainable practices, equal representation in the economy, and in government — these are values that make Wisconsin and Sheboygan a great place to raise a family, earn a decent wage, and have a healthy community,” said Rebecca Clarke. “I’m ready to go to Madison and fight to uphold these values and be our voice.”
Wisconsin Working Families Party is making primary endorsements to ensure that the most progressive candidates are on the general election ballot to challenge Republicans and win. The Party will provide people power to the campaign, mobilizing volunteers and members to put boots on the ground to educate voters.
Wisconsin Working Families Party has already endorsed a slate of candidates for the Wisconsin Legislature, Sarah Godlewski to be State Treasurer of Wisconsin, Mandela Barnes to be Lieutenant Governor, and is leading the Wisconsin’s Choice campaign, which is engaging voters statewide in selecting and supporting the Democratic gubernatorial nominee.
