Yesterday, more than 60 small business leaders from across Wisconsin endorsed Joe Biden. Senator Tammy Baldwin and State Senator Janet Bewley held virtual roundtables with small business owners during which they 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.

On Wednesday, Jill Biden hosted a virtual event with Congressman Ron Kind to discuss how to improve Western Wisconsin’s economy for women.

Read more highlights below:


Watch on WKBT

“He’s going to make sure that small businesses, particularly those owned by women and people of color, have the capital, technical assistance, mentorships and support that they need to survive,” said Jill Biden.

“These small businesses need a champion and that’s why they’ve spoken up,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin on WISN. “They are diverse, from all over the state and represent the diversity of Wisconsin ingenuity.”

“We need a president that’s going to help us not hinder us,” said Wisconsin State Senator Janet Bewley of Mason.“Had we had a plan in place…we wouldn’t be in the position that we are today…and my friends here that are representative of Northern Wisconsin’s economy wouldn’t be struggling along with so many other small businesses.”

“One of the biggest challenges for small businesses now is the uncertainty,” said Hugo Ramirez, Owner of Frio Mexican Ice Cream in Appleton. “You’ve got your employees, you’ve got to make rent, utilities and all of that. And you’re now saying ‘Should I keep them? Should I let them go? How long is this going to be?’”

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.

The following business leaders 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 Bayfield
  • 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
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