La Crosse, WI — Jake Williams announced today that he is officially launching his campaign for re-election as Chair of the Young Democrats of Wisconsin; reaffirming his commitment to empowering young people, strengthening grassroots organizing, and expanding Democratic influence across the state. The position of State Chair will be voted on June 14th & 15th at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Convention at Chula Vista Resort.
Before becoming Chair of Young Democrats of Wisconsin one year ago, Williams led the successful revival of the College Democrats of Wisconsin. Helping reestablish its presence on campuses and engage students in the political process. Since assuming leadership of the Young Democrats of Wisconsin, he has worked to reenergize the organization from the ground up, including restoring operations and laying a foundation for long-term growth.
“In the last year, we’ve gone from dormancy to momentum,” said Williams. “We’ve built partnerships across the state, invested in local chapters, and made sure young people aren’t just a talking point, we’re a force shaping Wisconsin’s political future.”
Key accomplishments from Williams’ first term include:
Launching a pilot statewide youth support box program in partnership with College Democrats and High School Democrats to distribute material and resources to new and growing chapters of all three organizations;
Teaming up with the Young Democrats of America to knock doors in the 2025 cycle in support of State Assembly candidates like Christian Phelps and phone bank for Susan Crawford in the Critical 2026 Wisconsin State Supreme Court Race;
Restoring the organization’s core infrastructure, including rebuilding financial systems, updating membership databases, and overhauling the website to improve accessibility and transparency.
Rather than dwell on past shortcomings, Williams has focused on moving the organization forward. “With the effects of COVID still lingering, we didn’t inherit a perfect system, but we’ve rebuilt it to support a movement that can last,” he said.
Williams is running for re-election on a forward-looking platform focused on building long-term youth power in Wisconsin. His vision includes:
Expanding and sustaining local chapters in communities statewide;
Establishing a Youth Coordinated Campaign to recruit, train, and elect young candidates to local and state office in 2026 and beyond;
Fighting for a Democratic trifecta in 2026 by mobilizing young voters to flip the State Senate and State Assembly while holding the Governor’s office.
“Despite back to back democracy defining elections we have not only helped elect young democrats to office, but have completely revived the statewide organization: stopping it from sinking and making it ready for all the work that must be done in 2026.” said Williams.
Williams enters the race with strong support from youth leaders, elected officials, and party activists across Wisconsin. Early endorsements include:
Brad Pfaff, State Senator
Tara Johnson, State Representative
Jill Billings, State Representative
Shaundel Washington-Spivey, Mayor of La Crosse
Grant Mathu, La Crosse County Board Supervisors, YDWI 2nd CD Vice Chair
Em Anderson, La Crosse County Board Supervisors, CDW Finance Director
Kelly Leibold, La Crosse County Board Supervisors
Will Scheder, Stevens Point School Board
Justin Poley, Former County Board Supervisor
William Garcia, 3rd CD Dem Chair, La Crosse County Democrat Party Co-Chair
Tina Polmen, La Crosse County Democrat Party Co-Chair
Phil Swanhorst, Eau Claire County Democratic Party Chair
Kendell Sheldon, YDWI Treasurer
Lorenzo Santos, YDWI Board Member, Past Chair
Mark Putnam, YDWI National Representative
Hannah Dull, YDWI 3rd CD Chair/La Crosse County Chapter Chair
Carl Joseph, YDWI 1st CD Board Member
Kyle Flood, YDA National Organizing Director
Aharon Shelef, HSDWI Chair
Evelyn Schmidt, CDW Chair
Ty Schanhofer, CDW Vice Chair, UW-Madison Chair
Alyssa Wahlborg, CDW Second Vice Chair
Bri Martin, CDW Communication Director
Emma Pankow, CDW Northeast Regional Director, UW-Oshkosh Chair
Thomas Mosher, CDW Northwest Regional Director, UWEC Chair
Cisco Garcia, UWL Dems Co-Chair
Grace Florence, Former CDW Vice Chair
Joey Wendtland, Former CDW Second Vice Chair
Samuel Hayden, Former CDW Finance Director
Kayla Weinberger, Former CDW Northeast Regional Director
Sam Brewer, Former CDW Membership Director
HSDWI = High School Democrats of Wisconsin
CDW = College Democrats of Wisconsin
YDWI = Young Democrats of Wisconsin
