If you don’t know how incredibly horrible WI Gov. Scott Walker is here is a quick overview:
He has been governor of Wisconsin since 2011. In addition to the normal GOP grifting for their creepy mega rich donors he busted up the public unions, sat idly by while our roads/schools crumbled and is apparently totally fine with Wisconsin having toxic AF water that we send east via the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi to the Gulf.
After he was elected, the WI GOP succeeded in gerrymandering themselves into one party control of a deeply purple state and even bought off the state Supreme Court.
As you can imagine, grassroots networks on our side were decimated when his strategy of Divide and Conquer The Working People began to work. Electoral loss after electoral loss had a profound effect on the political organization and motivation of those who oppose the direction the WI GOP has taken our beautiful northwoods state. Due to this lack of interest and participation we have very few young party leaders who have the vision and organizational skills to take on Walker’s enormous money machine. They really need our support.
This really is important. Under Walker our poverty rate increases every year and we now have 17% of our kids living in poverty.
Like many places across the country, we got some of our mojo back over the last 18 months. With the resistance vibes in the air, we won a Special Election in a red state senate district and a host of great candidates are stepping up to run for office all over the state.
Walker has low approval ratings and is seen as a vulnerable governor this fall. He is part of an infamous group of Wisconsin republicans who have taken their terrible ideas national: Rep. Paul Ryan, Sen. Ron Johnson, Reince Priebus, Rep. Sean Duffy...they are honestly horrible people. And it is possible the tides are starting to turn against them.
So that’s where we are at in Wisconsin.
A chance in hell, some light at the end of the tunnel.
Soooo...who will seize this energy and lead the way out of this mess?
Who will take on Walker?
We are currently sitting at 10 candidates with a primary set for Aug 14th and no sign of winnowing in sight.
Obviously, the following assessments are just my opinions, some people here on the ground will definitely disagree with me. And OBVIOUSLY I’ll vote for whoever is our candidate. They are all great people to raise their hand and try to run, I just think it’s time to get real. If we are going to win, someone needs to raise a shitload of money this summer and become a household name around the state.
One of the only organizations that has had success in pushing back against the extreme right in Wisconsin is One Wisconsin Now. I agree with many of the things director Scot Ross has put into words with their Tomorrow WI agenda — this is the way in which we rebuild our party and our state’s economy. This is what our candidate needs to embrace and I am choosing to support candidates that not only give lip service to this but have policies backing it up that they can talk about in freaking detail:
One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross noted that Millennial and Generation X voters now comprise the largest electoral bloc in the United States, and in Wisconsin. They face economic and financial challenges that have never before existed.
That’s why the Tomorrow Wisconsin agenda focuses on five key issues:
- Student Loan Debt Refinancing
- Paid Family and Medical Leave and Sick Days
- Affordable Child Care
- Job Security and Livable Wages
- Access to State Pension System
I am not against competitive primaries, I just think we’ve had one and it is time for people to step aside for the good of the cause. Who should throw in the towel is up for debate but most of these candidates have no chance of winning and could probably help someone who does. Instead, they are crowding the ballot, making every day voters heads spin. I run a progressives FB page for area voters and also organize Drinking Liberally events and community projects with some local friends. We’ve had many of the candidates speak. My takes...
Andy Gronik — rich guy who came out of the woodwork, no history of public service and can afford to self fund. Walked into the Women’s Caucus annual meeting last year thinking it was some sort of rally...while the meeting was in process he waived down the speaker trying to interrupt and get a chance to talk to us ladies in a completely entitled and disrespectful way. Pass.
Matt Flynn — retired attorney currently getting hit by the WI Women’s March org for his work representing the Catholic Diocese in cases involving sex abuse. Fun fiery speaker who really hits Walker hard and endears himself to grassroots Dems. Nice guy but feels like Uncle MSNBC who you might root for in his battle with Uncle Fox News at Thanksgiving more than a serious candidate for governor.
Tony Evers — Often seen as one of the frontrunners. Current Superintendent of Schools, has had public battles with Walker and is beloved by teachers across the state. Often touts that he is the only Dem candidate who has won statewide office. He was up for re election in Spring 2017. It was the first chance anyone had to vote after Trump was elected. It could have been the proverbial dog catcher race and whoever the anti-GOP candidate was would’ve inspired record turnout. People were pissed off. I don’t think that translates to beating Walker in Nov. Especially if he keeps posting pics of himself on Twitter in fast food restaurants awkwardly holding ice cream cones. Just sayin.
Josh Pade — Honestly never heard of him until a couple days ago. He just announced and jumped into this crowded AF field. Good luck buddy. Convince me to vote for another white male attorney lol.
Mike McCabe — His supporters think he’s the messiah and the rest of us roll our eyes. He is a good speaker who hits all the right populist notes, however I can’t stand his bothsiderism. There is only one party destroying Wisconsin and trying to play both sides is just absurd at this point.
Paul Soglin — Mayor of Madison (1973–1979), (1989-97), (2011-present). Eccentric man with storied political career. Seen as hard to elect outside the progressive college town.
Kathleen Vinehout — Budget wonk who had much of the early momentum but failed to seize on it and has fizzled into the background. She’s an effective state senator, not a charismatic speaker.
Dana Wachs — State Rep who seems to have donors but gets little coverage in the media and hasn’t stepped out from the field even though he’s been in it since the beginning.
I think the two candidates most likely to motivate voters are Mahlon and Kelda and, to me, their vision comes through all the noise:
Kelda Roys — Has recently stepped out of the crowd, winning the straw poll at the state convention. One of her ads went viral where she breastfeeds her baby, she’s a working mom, former state assembly Rep. and she not only believes in full legalization of marijuana but has pledged to try and pardon those rotting in prison or jail for weed if elected. She has played the long game and talks about everyday costs for working families in real terms rather than abstract platitudes.
Mahlon Mitchell — Seen as a front-runner after winning early support from labor groups, he is president of WI Firefighters Union, a great speaker and has run one of the most visible campaigns in the media. Broad understanding of issues facing all areas within Wisconsin. Committed to expanding food assistance and $15 min. wage.
I hope that they are both able to reach a lot of voters this summer and that we can start to coalesce around a candidate that brings vision and creativity, but also the work and life experience shared by many of our millennial and gen x voters.