WISCONSIN FOCUS: Blogs, Progressive Candidates, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

WISCONSIN ACT BLUE SITE: Wisconsin is a critical state this year both because it is always a Presidential swing state, and because there are some important local elections. You can give through my Act Blue site to help win Wisconsin big this year.


Here are Wisconsin Newspapers that have endorsed Barack Obama (as of Oc. 24th, according to Publisher and Editor):

The Capital Times (Madison)
Stevens Point Journal
Wisconsin State Journal (Madison)


Here are some candidates endorsed by Progressive Majority: (Progressive Majority candidates win about 50% of the time in Wisconsin elections...so these people have a good shot)

Jessica King
Candidate for Wisconsin State Senate - District 18 (Challenger)
Oshkosh, East Winnebago County



Progressive Majority in Wisconsin helped Jessica win election to the Oshkosh City Council in 2007, where she ran an aggressive race that unseated an incumbent. During that race she impressed us with her work ethic; she raised over $11,000 for her race and knocked thousands of doors. Jessica is now looking to move up and challenge Carol Roessler, a conservative member of the State Senate. This seat is one of our top targets for 2008 because an additional victory will bolster the one-seat majority in the State Senate. Jessica has attended Planned Parenthood and It's Up to Us training and is a recent graduate of Emerge - an intense, eight month leadership development program for Democratic women. Jessica is a practicing attorney and is active on numerous community boards including the Grand Opera House Foundation, the City Energy and Environment Committee, Transit Committee, and United Way.

Click here to support and learn more about Jessica.

Sandy Pasch
Candidate for Wisconsin State House - District 22 (Open Seat)
Fox Point, River Hills, Glendale, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood



Sandy Pasch is running in an open seat vacated by Democrat Sheldon Wasserman, who is running for the State Senate to challenge conservative Alberta Darling. The 22nd is a seat that Democrats must protect. Sandy Pasch entered the race early and has been campaigning aggressively. Sandy has attended Camp Wellstone and secured the endorsement of the Inspector of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department, the Milwaukee District Attorney, and many prominent progressive activists. Sandy is a registered nurse and 21-year resident of the 22nd district. She is married and has rasied three grown children. As a second job, Sandy teaches ethics, mental health, and community nursing at Columbia School of Nursing. She also serves on numerous community boards and works with the Milwaukee Police Department conducting training on how to effectively deal with people living with mental illness.

Click here to support and learn more about Sandy.

Paul Tubbs
Candidate for Wisconsin State House - District 34 (Challenger)
Oneida and Vilas Counties



Paul Tubbs is running for State Assembly in Wisconsin's 34th District. This will be Paul's second run for the 34th Assembly District. As latecomer to the 2006 election, despite having a small budget, he out-performed all other Democratic challengers who had run for this seat since 2000. This cycle we recruited Paul to run again. Paul is currently a member of the Rhinelander School Board, has worked as a school counselor for 34 years, is a member of Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), and is a 30-year resident of his district. Paul owns a small business that has sold recreational equipment since 1988. His wife Cheryl is a teacher and they have three children.

Kristen Dexter
Candidate for Wisconsin State House - District 68 (Challenger)
Altoona, Eau Claire, Fall Creek



Kristen is running for the State Assembly in the 68th District, a top target for us in 2008. Kristen has lived in this district for 14 years and was elected to the Altoona School Board in 2002. She serves on the Regional Steering Committee for Health Literacy Wisconsin. She owned a small business working as a metalsmith for several years. She has been married for 15 years to David Dexter, a neurologist at Luther Midelfort/Mayo, and she is a mother of 3 children. Kristen was a star campaign volunteer for Pat Krietlow, a Progressive Majority candidate elected to the State Senate in 2006.

Dale Klemme
Candidate for Wisconsin State House - District 96 (Challenger)
Prairie du Chien, Gays Mills, Viroqua, Hillsboro



Dale Klemme is running for the 96th Assembly District seat - a top target for us in 2008. We identified and recruited Dale to run in the Spring of 2007. Dale is working to unseat Lee Nerison, a conservative Assembly member who has consistently voted along party lines. Dale is a community development planner who has lived in the district for 30 years, and his wife is the Mayor of Prarie du Chien. He is an active member of the Praire du Chien community, participating in the Praire du Chien Chamber and School Board. He is also a Vietnam veteran.

Click here to support and learn more about Dale.

Glen Brower: Glen Brower is running for the Wisconsin 21st State Assembly seat against a right wing fanatic who voted against emergency contraception for rape victims, and against hearing aids for hearing impaired children under 5 years old. Glen is a key to winning the Wisconsin Assembly. Glen is endorsed by the Wisconsin State Council of Machinists, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, Sierra Club and others.


And I would like to add:

Alison Page: Alison is running for the Wisconsin 10th State Senate Seat. Let me quote from the Wisconsin Lt. Governor:

“Alison Page is a dream candidate – a woman who presided over the River Falls School Board for 17 years, building a solid reputation as a visionary, fiscally responsible leader who is committed to strong schools as a long-term strategy to drive growth in the area.
Alison Page’s education and experience as a healthcare administrator and an R.N. position her perfectly to provide leadership in the healthcare debate that will inevitably dominate the legislative agenda in Wisconsin and across the nation…

The contrast with her opponent couldn’t be stronger. Sheila Harsdorf is a rubber stamp for the Republican leadership – a woman without the strength to support adequate school funding; a woman who could not muster enough courage, when in the majority, to guarantee rape victims access to emergency contraception.

Sheila even voted no on a BadgerCare Plus program that would give 98% of Wisconsinites access to affordable health care. Worse still, neither she nor her colleagues can come up with an alternative plan that addresses the issue of access to quality healthcare for all.”

Tara Johnson: Tara Johnson is running for the Wisconsin 32nd State Senate seat against a right wing fanatic incumbent who voted against a bipartisan bill in the Wisconsin legislature ensuring compassion for rape victims. Tara Johnson was recruited to the Progressive Majority Farm Team in the fall of 2007. She is currently serving her fifth term on the La Crosse County Board. Tara is the former executive director of United Way. On the La Crosse County Board, she is the chair of Health and Human Services Committee and Second Vice-Chair of the board. Tara is well respected and admired for her ability to fight for progressive values while building consensus among her peers. This is an important seat to pick up on the state level.


Blogging Wisconsin: Blogging Blue covers progressive issues in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Rising covers local issues in Milwaukee

Urban Milwaukee: seeks to provide a informative and open dialogue on the issues, events, and people affecting Milwaukee’s most urban neighborhoods, and to promote urbanism within the city of Milwaukee.

Watchdog Milwaukee is another local Milwaukee blog of note

Badger Blues is a local Madison blog.


Some Stories of Interest:

Republican Chair Advocates Censorship of Textbooks

On Economic Recovery, Or, They Got The Bailout, So Why Aren't Things Better?

Updated restaurant inspection database

Linda Flashinski for State Assembly

GOP Voter Fraud Hoax Gets Knocked Around. And in a related story: Friedman Rips Apart ACORN Voter Fraud Hoax


Alternative Energy in Wisconsin:

Alternative Energy Resources in Wisconsin: a short summary of alternative energy resources for Wisconsin. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.

RENEW Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Madison, promotes clean energy strategies for powering the state's economy in an environmentally responsible manner.

Madison Peak Oil Group meets on the first Thursday of every month for a brown bag lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the lower level conference room at 222 S. Hamilton Street.

Renewable Energy Milwaukee: A renewable energy blog for greater Milwaukee, moderated by RENEW Wisconsin

PrairieFire BioFuels: a member-owned cooperative creating access and building infrastructure to support vegetable oil-based fuels sources and usage

THE MadiSUN PROGRAM: The City of Madison was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Solar America Cities Program. MadiSUN’s goal is to double to number of solar electric and hot water solar installations in the city. The City of Madison, along with Madison Gas and Electric, Focus on Energy and UW Extension will be working on this project for the next two years. A major component of the grant is to provide the community with a consultant who can help interested residents and businesses install a solar system. The consultant is on board to provide technical expertise and to answer questions regarding design, permitting and rebate programs. Contact (608) 243-0586 or solar_at_cityofmadison.com


Here are some Wisconsin Democracy for America Groups:

Democracy for Wisconsin - Madison
Meets first Wed. of each month, 7 PM, Madison, WI

Join us in building a brighter and more progressive future for our country.

For more information (including where) email: russwallac_at_aol.com or go here.

DFA Northeast Wisconsin
DFA - Northeast Wisconsin (DFA-NEW) meets the first Wednesday of each month to discuss issues, promote progressive candidates and actively work to bring democracy to the political process locally, regionally and nationally. Sign up here to get information on their meetings.

Democracy for America-Greater Milwaukee
Sign up here for information on this group.

Democracy for SE Wisconsin
Join this Yahoo Group to get information on this group.

Democracy for Stevens Point:
A group of progressive, concerned citizens in the Stevens Point, WI area who are interested in political change as described in Democracy for America, and organization originally begun by Governor Howard Dean.

Join this Yahoo Group for more info on this group.


Here are some other Wisconsin Groups and Events:

Ozaukee First Friday Forum
First Friday Forums - public affairs breakfast forums co-sponsored by MATC-Mequon, UW-Extension and the Ozaukee County Board.

Held on the first Friday of every other month from 730am to 900 am at MATC-Mequon. $5 registration fee per session.
Additional information: Sandra Webster 262-238-2205/ websters@matc.edu

Milwaukee County Democratic Club:
We meet on the fourth Monday of most months, 7 PM in the Hall of Fame Room of the Pettit National Ice Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park. We look forward to seeing you there!

Petitt National Ice Center
500 S. 84th St
Milwaukee, WI, 53214

For the bicycilists in Madison, here's Critical Mass Madison:

Critical Mass is a movement (not an organization) that advocates for better transportation alternatives. Meets 5:30 PM, the last Friday of Every Month, no matter the weather. Gather where West Washington meets Capitol Square. Where the ride goes after that is decided by whoever shows up.


And for those who like to combine social events with politics, here are the Drinking Liberally Groups in Wisconsin:

Fitchburg, Wisconsin
* Second Thursday of each month, 5:30-7:00 pm
* Kelly's Grill, 2685 Research Park Dr
* Hosted by Alice Jenson and John Mosman, fitchburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

Sister Bay, Wisconsin
* Every Tuesday, 7:00 pm onward
* Shipwrecked Restaurant & Brewery, 7791 Egg Harbor Rd (Hwy 42), Egg Harbor (village center on Hwy 42)
* ALERT! We are currently on seasonal hiatus with our next gathering in May of 2008.
* Hosted by Dick Kaiser, sisterbay (at) drinkingliberally.org