MADISON, WI — Yesterday, WQOW 18 and The Leader-Telegram covered a press conference hosted by Senator Jeff Smith, where Democrats outlined plans to lower everyday costs, reduce property taxes, and enshrine the right for a patient and their physician to make medical decisions without political interference.

Joining Smith were Representatives Jodi Emerson and Christian Phelps, 92nd Assembly District candidate Jeremiah Fredrickson, former Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin President Tanya Atkinson. Each speaker addressed issues facing Wisconsin families and the importance of the upcoming election in determining the state’s direction.

WQOW 18: Democratic candidates held a press conference for Wisconsin voters

“State Democrats gathered outside the Eau Claire County Courthouse to outline their legislative priorities if elected to leadership in both chambers.

The press conference covered reproductive health, data centers, local hospital closures, special education, and other issues that Wisconsin voters face.

Tanya Atkinson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Wisconsin, said it’s time to remove politics from reproductive health.

‘This is our opportunity to take the politics out of sexual reproductive healthcare altogether, and put it where it belongs,’ Atkinson said. ‘In our homes, in our public health systems, in our state budgets, in our healthcare providers offices. Right now, we have the opportunity to build a Wisconsin where everyone has what they need to be healthy to plan for their futures.’

Republicans have held the majority for 16 years, but Democrats say they are confident they can flip control. State Rep. Jodi Emerson said Democrats have a strong chance of winning the majority.

‘I think we’ve got a good shot at it,’ Emerson said. ‘Our candidates our working their districts in those areas that we need. We’ve got the resources. We’ve got the plan. It’s just a matter of how things fall out. And then it’s also our job to deliver to the people of Wisconsin.’

Republicans have not yet responded to a request for comment.”

The Leader-Telegram: Area Democrats, Republicans highlight significance of the upcoming election

  • “Eau Claire-area Democrats held a press conference Thursday to push their top legislative priorities heading into the fast-approaching election.”
  • “The state Democrats hope is to flip control of the Legislature, as Republicans have held a majority for 16 years. Republicans hold an 18-15 majority in the state Senate, while the GOP also has a 55-44 majority in the Assembly.”
  • “Sen. Jeff Smith (D-town of Brunswick) said any time Republicans have said they are going to ‘fix Madison,’ it means ‘they’re going to fix their own mistakes.’”
  • “‘At the end of 2025, my office did an analysis for one calendar year,’ Smith said. ‘Democrats introduced 408 bills in the state Legislature. Nine of those bills were given hearings in public hearings. Nine out of 408. Only three were given votes, and only one moved from there.’”
  • “Smith said this is how powerful the majority is. He also spoke to several other issues that have become talking points during this election cycle. ‘It’s no secret to any of us that our families in the state of Wisconsin are suffering from the high costs of everything in this state and in this country, high inflation, a weakened dollar and goods and services that they just can’t afford,’ he said. ‘But unfortunately for our people in our state, the majorities that have controlled the legislature.’”
  • “Emerson spoke about child care, noting how a family member is looking at dedicating most of her salary towards child care services. ‘We need to take care of our most vulnerable populations,’ she said.”
  • “Speaking on education, Phelps said Republicans have broken their promises to kids with disabilities, school districts trying to write responsible budgets and taxpayers with special education funding reimbursement.”
  • “Fredrickson spoke about concerns over natural resources, as well as the parks and state forest systems. ‘With [the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program] sunsetting here this last session, the state parks and things that I grew up going to and being a part of have lost most of their funding. Talking with some of the people that are part of the state park system, their funding now relies strictly on stickers and campers,’ he said.”
  • “With in-person absentee voting having started Tuesday and the day of the election drawing near, Smith said people need to accept the responsibility of voting and not think that change will happen without them.”
  • “‘It is not going to happen without them,’ he said. ‘From our perspective, it is so important to get voters to the ballot box and make that change happen.’”

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