It is now official: Recall organizer and folk hero Lori Compas has announced her bid for State Senate in Wisconsin's 13th Senate District. For those unfamiliar with Compas, she was the organizer of the Recall Fitz committee that collected over 20,000 signatures to recall State Senator Scott Fitzgerald. Many believed the feat was impossible, yet with great will and determination, Compas and plenty of volunteers dug deep and pulled out the effort. It was truly inspiring. Now, Compas is hoping to capture that energy and turn it in to the change Wisconsinites are craving so desperately.
Lori Compas is no house-hold name. In fact, I would guess that most people in the 13th district still have no idea who she is. Well, thats about to change. In her announcement today, Compas did not shy away from the fact that she is an outsider, reminding the crowd that Senator Fitzgerald never held office prior to his election 17 years ago either. She then went on to explain that while she understands Fitzgerald has had his successes, he has undergone a dramatic change during the Walker administration's tenure.
“While we respect Scott Fitzgerald’s long career as a politician, many of us agree that something has changed in him over the past year. Regardless of our particular views on his policy positions, most of us agree that the process he’s followed has been divisive, unethical, and an insult to the proud traditions of our state. It’s as if he’s said that people like us don’t matter anymore."
I think I can speak for thousands of my fellow Wisconsinites when I say I couldn't agree more. She hit the nail on the head. Compas went on to say:
"This movement isn’t about me," Compas said. "It’s about all of us. It’s about our belief that people should matter more than money. It’s about our expectation that government should be open and honest. It’s about the simple belief that our legislators should work hard on our behalf and represent us honorably."
"While we'll never raise as much money as Scott Fitzgerald has,” Compas acknowledged, “this campaign has strength money can't buy. My strength to serve in the Senate comes from a willingness to listen and respond to constituent concerns. It comes from my ability to cooperate and find common ground. My strength comes from the inspirational courage of a thousand volunteers."
It's refreshing to hear people speak sensibly about politics in Wisconsin again. The words "open" and "honest" aren't words we have been accustomed to over the last 14 months. Plus, sticking true to her word about wanting to be more willing to listen and cooperate, Compas has announced 8 listening sessions for constituents.
The list from loricompas.org is as follows it:
Beaver Dam – Monday March 5th at 6pm
Beaver Dam Public Library
311 N. Spring Street, Beaver Dam, WI
Columbus – Tuesday March 6th at 7pm
Columbus Senior Center
125 North Dickason Blvd., Columbus, WI
Cambridge – Thursday March 8th at 6pm
Cambridge Village Hall
200 Spring Street, Cambridge, WI
Lake Mills – Sunday March 11th at 1pm
L.D. Fargo Library
120 East Madison Street, Lake Mills, WI
Waterloo – Sunday March 11th at 3pm
The Mode Theater
121 South Monroe Street, Waterloo, WI
Watertown – Monday March 12th at 6pm
Watertown Senior Center
514 South 1st Street, Watertown, WI
Fort Atkinson – Tuesday March 13th at 6pm
Dwight Foster Library, Community Room
209 Merchants Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI
Horicon or Mayville – TBA – week of March 12th
Campaign kick-off party on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday March 17. Details TBA.
For more information, please contact Anne Johnson at 608-576-0498.
Official Press Release via
Wispolitics.com
I am excited for Lori, and cant wait for this campaign to kick in to high gear! If you can, help support Lori's Bid for Senate!
Check out Lori's Senate Campaign Website!
Support The Overall Recall Effort!