Today, more than 60 small business owners from across Wisconsin announced their endorsement of Joe Biden for President of the United States. The owners from every corner of Wisconsin, who operate businesses across numerous industries, cited their confidence in Vice President Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan to get our economy back on track and his ability to fight for Main Street and working class families instead of Wall Street.

“As a small business owner myself, I know what a Joe Biden presidency would mean for hardworking small businesses across Wisconsin and our country,” said Congressman Mark Pocan. “Donald Trump’s incompetence and lies have only made it harder for those working to get ahead, and it’s time we have real leadership in the White House who has a real plan to ensure we can rebuild from these public health and economic crises.”

“Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant has been family owned and operated since 1949, but now more than ever this country needs new leadership to support business like ours,” said Lars Johnson, Co-Owner of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay. “After running a family business for so long, I have seen firsthand the importance of having effective leadership in the White House. We need someone that cares about Main Street, not just Wall Street. I strongly believe we must elect Joe Biden, and Democrats up and down the ballot, to give ourselves a better future.”

“Simply put: Joe Biden puts the interests of Main Street above Wall Street. He’s willing to use the same kind of elbow grease I’ve put into building my small business into running this country,” said Becca Cooke, Owner of Red’s Mercantile in Eau Claire. “I’m voting for Joe Biden because he’s willing to roll up his sleeves for everyday Wisconsinites and will help us recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19.”

“Our business has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s time we have a leader in the White House who will fight for us so we can get back on track,” said Yogi Blair, Owner of Yogi’s Pud’n in Racine. “Joe Biden will deliver for small businesses because he understands what we mean not just to our local economy, but to our community as well. It’s time we build back better and put Main Street ahead of Wall Street.”

The Trump administration’s ongoing failure to manage the COVID-19 crisis and corrupt recovery that left behind small businesses has put the U.S. on the verge of an economic disaster. The number of small businesses open in Wisconsin has decreased by roughly 25% since the beginning of the year, and revenues are down 20%. The administration forced small businesses to jump through hoops to get the relief they need, while bailing out Wall Street and giant corporations. Nationally, more than 400,000 small businesses permanently closed and many of those that manage to survive the pandemic may ultimately collapse under the weight of enormous pandemic-related debt.

Vice President Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan would provide the immediate relief working families and small businesses need to make it through these public health and economic crises. Biden is calling for a guarantee that every qualifying small business with 50 employees or fewer will get relief quickly and easily; flexible grants — not loans — for true small businesses that have lost substantial revenue; and an end to the rampant fraud and unjust enrichment that’s taken place under Trump’s watch. This will help small businesses get back on their feet, and move our economy forward for hardworking people, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

The following business owners endorse Joe Biden:

  • Congressman Mark Pocan, Owner of Budget Signs & Specialties
  • Deb Pickett, Owner of Southwest Graphics in Darlington
  • Sara Vontresckow, The Woolgatherers in Fond Du Lac
  • Kubet Luchterhand, Wm. Caxton Ltd. Bookseller and Publisher in Ellison Bay
  • Jerry Bechard, Owner of Norske Nook in Hayward
  • William Durkin, President of William Durkin Associates in Milwaukee
  • Alan Trick, Owner of Nala’s Cheese and Wine in De Pere
  • Demaris Brinton and Theron O’Connor, Owners of Apostle Islands Booksellers in Hayward
  • Penny Fassler, Owner of Vision of Light Stained Glass in La Crosse
  • David Leeper, Attorney at Leeper Law and Meditations in Madison
  • Jacquelyn Fogel, Owner of Cedar Creek Pet Resort in West Bend
  • Scott Resnick, COO of Hardin Design and Development in Madison
  • Ameila Baxter, CEO and Owner of Whole Trees Structures in Madison
  • Sandra Scott, Co-Owner of Longbranch Gallery in Mineral Point
  • Paul Johnson, Owner of White Pine Investigations in Spooner
  • Kelly Catarozoli, Co-Owner of The Foxglove Inn in Sturgeon Bay
  • Lars Johnson, Co-Owner of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay
  • John Miller, Founder and Principal of Arenberg Holdings in Milwaukee
  • Hugo Ramirez, Owner of Frio Mexican Ice Cream in Appleton
  • Becca Cooke, Owner of Red’s Mercantile in Eau Claire
  • Gene Webb, Owner and Head Baker of North Shore Boulangerie in Milwaukee
  • Yogi Blair, Owner of Yogi’s Pud’n in Racine
  • Kriss Marion, Owner of Circle M Market Farm in Blanchardville
  • Christine Bremer Muggli, Attorney and Owner of Bremer & Trollop Law Offices, S.C. in Mineral Point
  • Jane Donaldson, Owner of Harbor Beach LLC in Tomah
  • Sally Peltz, Owner of Legacy Redevelopment Corp in Milwaukee
  • Melissa Sargent, Owner of Opacolor, LLC in Madison
  • Natasha Dotson, Founder of Simple Steps in Milwaukee
  • Gaulien Smith, Owner of Gee’s Clippers in Milwaukee
  • Francesca Hong, Co-Owner of Morris Ramen
  • Tory Miller, Owner of Letoile, Grace, and Estrellon in Madison
  • Ming Tao Jiang, Owner of Marathon Ginseng International, Inc. in Wausau
  • Florentino Barrera, Owner of Hondutela Lawn Care and General Services in Deforest
  • Araceli Esparaza, Founder of Wisconsin Mujer in Madison
  • Gloria Reyese, Owner of Reyes Public Safety in Madison
  • Jose Flores, Owner of Tacos Tutis in Waukesha
  • Darryl Morin, Owner of Advanced Wireless, Inc. in Franklin
  • Enis Gashi, Owner of Pancake Cafe in Watertown
  • Gary Hebl, Partner at Hebl & Hebl, LLP in Sun Prairie
  • Tamela Greene, Owner of Moxie Food in White Fish Bay
  • Vanessa Rae Hall, Owner of Hedwigs Salon in Milwaukee
  • Laura Komai, Owner of Anthology in Madison
  • Justin Terbeest, Owner of Hop & Barroll Brewing in Hudson
  • Nadiyah Johnson, Owner of Jet Constellations in Milwaukee
  • James Phelps, President of JCP Construction in Milwaukee
  • Joanne Sabir, Owner of Shindig LLC in Milwaukee
  • Heather Colburn, CEO of Run the World in Madison
  • Orange and Dean Shroeder, Owners of Orange Tree Imports in Madison
  • Gary and Rose Molz, Owners of EZ Office Products in Madison
  • Betty Harris Custer, Founding Managing Partner of Custer Financial Services in Madison
  • Thad Nation, Owner of Nation Consulting in Milwaukee
  • Sara Muender, Artist and Gallery Owner of Moondeer and Friends Gallery in Manitowish Waters
  • Leah Griffith Boyce, Owner of iCreate and Leah Boyce Photography in Spring Green
  • Patti Keating-Kahn, CEO of PK2group in Milwaukee
  • Luke Fuszard, Senior Director of Strategic Alliances at Artemis Health in Middelton
  • Steve Kennedy, Owner of Burr Oak Winery in Juneau
  • John Laplan, Owner of Blue Bike Burrito in Marinette
  • Jason Rae, Owner of True Compass Strategies, LLC in Glendale
  • Erin Klaus, Owner of Tangled Up in Hue in Eau Claire
  • Kirk Bangstad, Owner of Minocqua Brewing Company in Minocqua
  • Jim Remsick, Owner of Flagrant LLC in Madison
  • Erin Celello, Faculty Director at The Fifth Semester in Madison
  • Teresa Coughlin, Owner of Coughlin Consulting, LLC in Milwaukee
Small businesses in Wisconsin who wish to join this list may click here. This effort is part of the campaign’s push to highlight the stories and experiences of business owners, and how President Trump’s mismanagement of COVID-19 has devastated America’s small businesses, particularly minority owned businesses. To get small businesses more engaged in this election, the campaign is hosting dozens of small business events, launching ads in key battleground states featuring entrepreneurs, and working with the new Small Business & Entrepreneurs Advisory Council to mobilize the small business community.
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