Wikler: First priority getting party more involved in fight to expand Medicaid

New Dem Chair Ben Wikler said his first order of business will be getting the state party more involved in the fight to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin. Gov. Tony Evers had proposed in his budget accepting federal money under the Affordable Care Act to expand the program. Republicans have pulled that provision from the budget, but Evers has continued to press for expansion in public appearances. “We have a party that is hungry to stand up for Wisconsin families on an issue where Republicans are on the wrong side of history,” Wikler said. Wikler bested Rep. David Bowen, who had

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Wrapping it up

That’s all, folks. The Dem convention has wrapped up with nearly 1,400 delegates, alternates and guests attending this weekend. The Dems will be in the Wisconsin Dells June 12-13 next year for their convention, which will return to a Friday-Saturday format.

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Wikler wins Dem chair race

Dem activists on Sunday elected Ben Wikler, a former senior adviser to MoveOn.org, as its new chair to lead the party through the 2020 election. Wikler defeated state Rep. David Bowen, who had spent the last four years as 1st vice chair. Wikler asked activists for a commitment to “step up,” saying it would shape the direction of the state, country and world. “The entire world is watching what we’re doing in Wisconsin,” Wikler said in a short victory speech. “The mantle of responsibility falls on all of our shoulders now, and I’m going to ask for your partnership.” Wikler’s

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Dem activists approve resolution calling for end of physical proof to register, vote

Dem activists on Sunday approved a resolution calling for the end of requiring proof of a physical address to register or vote. Instead, there would be no requirement “other than spoken or written” proof from someone seeking to register or vote. The resolution would also allow a voter to complete a change of address online or by phone. The resolution was approved 39-36; there were some 1,400 delegates, alternatives and guests who attended the convention this weekend. All are eligible to vote on resolutions. Currently, state law requires proof of residence, such as a Wisconsin driver’s license or utility bill,

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Democratic party of Wisconsin: Welcomes new leadership team

MADISON — The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is thrilled to announce that Ben Wikler, former Senior Advisor at MoveOn.org, has been elected Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin by DPW delegates. Felesia Martin and Lee Snodgrass have also been elected as 1st Vice Chair and 2nd Vice Chair, respectively. “I extend my enthusiastic congratulations to Ben and his team for their victory this weekend,” said Martha Laning, outgoing Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “I would also like to thank Rep. Bowen and his ticket for making our Party stronger by sharing their vision for the future of our Party with

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‘Boring’ Evers reminds Republicans of his veto pen’s powers

Gov. Tony Evers shrugged off his reputation as “boring” as he addressed Dem activists Saturday night and threw some shade at Republicans in their ongoing budget standoff. Evers opened his speech saying it was about time the convention had a keynote speaker who was a Dem guv as he became the first one in eight years to do so. He also recounted the dig some sent his way ahead of last year’s election that he was boring before telling delegates his reaction: “to hell with it.” Evers then dove into a list of his budget priorities, saying there was nothing

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Evers campaign: Delivers keynote address at DPW convention

MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers will today deliver the keynote address at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s 2019 state convention. Below are Gov. Evers’ remarks as prepared for delivery:   Good evening, Democrats!   Holy mackerel. Well, I guess it’s about time we had a keynote speaker at convention who’s a Democratic governor from Wisconsin.   Before I get started tonight, I just wanted to extend a few thank yous:   Potawatomi Tribal Nation and the staff here at the hotel & casino for hosting us this weekend–everyone please give a round of applause for these folks and thank them

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To the hospitality suites

Here’s your lineup of hospitality suites running until midnight: Gov. Tony Evers. State chair candidates David Bowen and Ben Wikler with separate suites. Legislative leaders. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Planned Parenthood. Rep. Gwen Moore. Treasurer Sarah Godlewski has one tomorrow morning.

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Barnes talks up legislative priorities; calls for marijuana legalization

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes touted the Evers administration’s priorities and slammed “hostile” Republican legislators. Barnes highlighted the administration’s focus of education, health care, environmental protection and roads, but said the GOP has thrown up “roadblocks at every turn.” “One side continues to play politics while real people continue to suffer,” he said. Barnes also called for an end to mass incarceration and the prohibition on marijuana and slammed Assembly Speaker Robin Vos for calling the budgetary proposal on pot a poison pill. The real poison pill, Barnes said, was the opioids that had flooded the state. He said there was

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Baldwin challenges Dem activists to take on a fight that will be remembered

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, challenged Dem activists Saturday to undertake a fight that will be remembered decades from now. Baldwin noted the 100th anniversary is in two weeks for Wisconsin becoming the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion is next week. And later this month is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that helped sparked the LGBTQ rights movement. “But our work is not done,” Baldwin said. “We must never mistake progress for victory.” Baldwin asked activists how they want to be remembered,

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Kaul: ‘Public safety is my priority’

AG Josh Kaul played up his focus on public safety, saying he was focused on stemming the tide of the opioid epidemic and preventing a future backlog of sexual assault kits. Kaul highlighted a recent lawsuit he filed in state court against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma and its former chairman Richard Sackler for what he called “false and deceptive marketing techniques.” He also noted the state was involved in several investigations into opioid manufacturers and distributors, an effort he said would prevent the epidemic from spreading again. The AG also touted the Department of Justice’s reduction of the sexual assault

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Wrapping it up

That’s all, folks. The Dem convention has wrapped up with nearly 1,400 delegates, alternates and guests attending this weekend. The Dems will be in the Wisconsin Dells June 12-13 next year for their convention, which will return to a Friday-Saturday format.

Read More »

Wikler wins Dem chair race

Dem activists on Sunday elected Ben Wikler, a former senior adviser to MoveOn.org, as its new chair to lead the party through the 2020 election. Wikler defeated state Rep. David Bowen, who had spent the last four years as 1st vice chair. Wikler asked activists for a commitment to “step

Read More »

Democratic party of Wisconsin: Welcomes new leadership team

MADISON — The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is thrilled to announce that Ben Wikler, former Senior Advisor at MoveOn.org, has been elected Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin by DPW delegates. Felesia Martin and Lee Snodgrass have also been elected as 1st Vice Chair and 2nd Vice Chair, respectively. “I

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Evers campaign: Delivers keynote address at DPW convention

MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers will today deliver the keynote address at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s 2019 state convention. Below are Gov. Evers’ remarks as prepared for delivery:   Good evening, Democrats!   Holy mackerel. Well, I guess it’s about time we had a keynote speaker at convention who’s

Read More »

To the hospitality suites

Here’s your lineup of hospitality suites running until midnight: Gov. Tony Evers. State chair candidates David Bowen and Ben Wikler with separate suites. Legislative leaders. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Planned Parenthood. Rep. Gwen Moore. Treasurer Sarah Godlewski has one tomorrow morning.

Read More »

Barnes talks up legislative priorities; calls for marijuana legalization

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes touted the Evers administration’s priorities and slammed “hostile” Republican legislators. Barnes highlighted the administration’s focus of education, health care, environmental protection and roads, but said the GOP has thrown up “roadblocks at every turn.” “One side continues to play politics while real people continue to suffer,”

Read More »

Kaul: ‘Public safety is my priority’

AG Josh Kaul played up his focus on public safety, saying he was focused on stemming the tide of the opioid epidemic and preventing a future backlog of sexual assault kits. Kaul highlighted a recent lawsuit he filed in state court against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma and its former chairman

Read More »