Intro
How do Democrats win consistently in Wisconsin? We all have issues that are important to us. Some may think a women’s right to choose is issue number one. Another one may say that equal educational opportunity is slightly more critical. It is difficult to predict the national environment five to ten years from now. I’ve always agreed that Republicans are not good at governing, but they are good at winning elections. Democrats are good at governing and worried about the next generation and not winning elections. But how do we do both? How do we build a sustainable party that can win when all the odds are stacked against us.
Some over the years have thought they had the answer. Only to see themselves on the losing end due to national trends or other factors. From what I have seen, Republicans are great at one thing unrelated to money in politics or unfair maps. 1. Candidate recruitment. I have seen it where a conservative who runs for City Council becomes well known in the community and feels that they are virtually unbeatable in higher offices. Tom Tiffany in the seventh is a prime example of this. He started as a town supervisor in Little Rice, Wisconsin. State Senator Kathy Bernier was the Chippewa County Clerk. Scott Walker was a State Representative for the 14th Assembly District before he ran for Milwaukee County Executive. They built a relationship with the local Chamber of Commerce, which has been a breeding ground for conservative candidates. Rob Summerfield in Bloomer and Dave Armstrong in Rice Lake are examples.
The paragraph above does not illustrate where conservative politicians get their start. It is to show you that they are thinking three to four election cycles ahead. Winning back the legislature is going to be challenging due to a.) entrenched Republicans and b.) unfair maps. We tried the courts, but conservatives have a 4-3 majority on the supreme court. So what can be done? Do Wisconsin Democrats have any chance of winning again. Here are some ways to start.
1. County Parties
Building an organization from the bottom up means supporting our county parties. They are the boots on the ground. They are knocking on doors in every election. They are making phone calls and writing letters to editors of their local papers. Whos your county party chair. It is essential to know this information so you can become a member. I understand you won’t be able to attend every meeting, but our county parties are critical for building a winning formula. Some members of the legislature were chairs of their county parties.
2. Local Races
I cannot stress the importance of local elections. Mayor, Common Council/City Council, County Board of Supervisors. Sheriff, School Board, County Executive ( If you have one). Local governments need to be the breeding ground for progressive candidates. Get with your county party. Their websites will probably have information with links to local governments.
3. Write or Call Your Elected Officials.
Like it or not, they are elected to represent their constituents. Just not those who voted for them or dumped millions in their campaign. This will only cost you time and effort, and it lets your representative know where you stand on issues.
4.) Write Letters to the Editor of your Local Paper.
I guarantee you that your local State Representative reads some of the town’s newspapers. Be specific in your letter. Refrain from using vulgar language because it will most likely be rejected if it contains expletives. They’re a good chunk of voters who read the letters to the editor too. I know some people who will skip right to that section.
5. Campaign Donations
I understand most of us are not hedgefund millionaires. But even a small donation to your State Senate or Gubernatorial candidate will go a long way. Some may think my little $3 to Tammy Baldwin may not make a big difference, but the reality is it does because campaigns have been won on small-dollar donations. If it helps pay for one billboard sign or an ad in your local paper, it’s worth it.
6. Vote
Find your polling place, and offer to take your friends to vote that share the same beliefs as you. Call your progressive friends in other districts. “Hey, you have a school board election tomorrow...It will help the school if so and so wins.” Suppose that candidate wins because you got your friend to vote, and he got his friends to vote. You have done your work. That school board member could run for the county board next. Voters who vote in small turnout elections will vote in state and federal elections, so the county board member who already has a base can run for an unattainable seat like Congress or State Senate if there is an entrenched Republican. Will they win? Most likely, no. But what this does is builds a relationship with the county party. The chair could suggest, “If you were elected to the city council and school board, I would try mayor or county board. If you are successful there, go for State Assembly. “
Conclusion
If we do all I have suggested, will Wisconsin turn blue in the next election cycle? Of course not. There is no magic pill to winning elections. Building a foundation will take multiple processes and a ground effort in counties where Democrats are not used to competing. Shortcuts like changing election laws or gerrymandering may work for a while, but it’s not sustainable. Some may not agree with everything I suggested. That is fine. Some may say why “write my congressman he or she won’t listen anyway” or “No one reads the paper anymore.” This won't be an instant turn around but what it does is gives Wisconsin Democrats a platform to build an organization from the bottom up.
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