The out-of-state billionaires who say they "expect something in return" for their political donations have already spent more than $5.1 million to beat Tammy Baldwin and buy a U.S. Senator who works for them.

MADISON - According to a new report from the Washington Post, the out-of-state billionaire Koch brothers are convinced that both Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson would work to advance their corporate special interest agenda in the U.S. Senate. Via The Post:

"In a private presentation to donors, AFP officials identified six Senate candidates in addition to Blackburn as potential candidates whom they view as supportive of the network's free-market policy priorities: Rick Scott of Florida, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia, Leah Vukmir of Wisconsin and Kevin Nicholson of Wisconsin."

The billionaire Kochs say that both Vukmir and Nicholson are "supportive" of their "priorities" -- virtually guaranteeing that the Kochs add to the more than $5.1 million that they've already spent trying to beat Tammy Baldwin and buy a Senator who works for them.

The Koch spending that either Vukmir or Nicholson will benefit from comes with strings attached. In their own words, the brothers "expect something in return" for their prolific political spending. 

Here are some Koch "priorities" that they can count on both Vukmir and Nicholson to advance:

• Deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid -- Both Vukmir and Nicholson have endorsed Republican efforts to cut Wisconsinites’ Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits. Since the 1980s, the Kochs have spent millions trying to abolish Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
• Tax giveaways for wealthy billionaires like the Kochs and large corporations -- Vukmir and Nicholson support the GOP tax law that sends more than 80 percent of benefits to the richest 1 percent and large corporations like Pfizer, and which has the two Kochs each set to become $1 billion richer -- each year. The Kochs no doubt want to keep the tax cuts coming.
• Gutting pre-existing condition protections and stripping health care away from millions -- Vukmir and Nicholson support the Kochs' years-long campaign to repeal the Affordable Care Act and take away millions of Americans’ health care access. Vukmir and Nicholson want to replace the ACA with a Republican health care plan that take coverage away from as many as 30 million Americans, gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and let insurance companies charge seniors more.

MADISON - Mike McCabe’s grassroots campaign for governor will begin running ads on Hulu starting Wednesday, August 1, 2018. The ad, which is 1 min and will play until the August 14th primary, stresses the need to break away from the current theories of what makes a candidate viable and instead dare to dream of a better politics and a cleaner government.

Here is a sneak peak of the ad which will begin playing tomorrow on Hulu in select markets around Wisconsin. To view video, click on the graphic below:

MADISON – Today, Senator Caleb Frostman announced his first three Legislative listening sessions as part of a Legislative Lunchtime Listening Session series.

These events will provide an opportunity for residents of the 1^st Senate District to meet with Senator Frostman and share their thoughts and concerns about the upcoming Legislative session or request assistance in working with state agencies.

See below for times and locations.

Additional listening sessions will be scheduled all throughout the 1^st Senate District in the coming weeks and months.

3 months ago, Kooyenga promised to reimburse taxpayers $30,000 for a legal settlement over unlawful removal of a anti-Trump sign he found personally distasteful. What excuse will he make this time?

MADISON - Three months after state Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R - Brookfield) promised to reimburse taxpayers $30,000 for a legal settlement over Kooyenga’s unlawful removal of a sign he found personally distasteful, Kooyenga still hasn’t written a check.

“Wisconsinites expect better out of their elected officials,” said George Gillis, Democratic Party of Wisconsin executive director. “Dale Kooyenga has made excuse after excuse for this costly and completely avoidable episode, and now three months later, he still hasn’t followed through on his promise to pay back taxpayers. He should be ashamed.”

Kooyenga has changed his account of the events in May 2017 several times, each excuse more strange and dubious than the last. At one point Kooyenga claimed he removed the sign out of fear for children who would see it, then he suggested his military training demanded he remove the sign.

“Here’s the truth Dale Kooyenga won’t tell us: he was offended by a sign that was critical of his party, so he removed it. Dale Kooyenga didn’t care that the owner of the sign had a legal and constitutional right to post it, and he doesn’t seem to care now that his recklessness has cost Wisconsin taxpayers $30,000.”

Son of immigrants and director of River Alliance of Wisconsin believes Madison deserves leadership equal to our aspirations and undaunted by our challenges.

MADISON, WI - On July 27th, 2018, Raj Shukla announced his candidacy for Madison Mayor. Shukla chairs the city's Sustainable Madison Committee and led the push to be the first community in Wisconsin to commit to 100% renewable, net-zero carbon energy. He serves as executive director of River Alliance of Wisconsin, a state-wide clean water policy and advocacy agency.

“I am the son of immigrants and my parents raised me to believe dreams can come true, as theirs did. But achieving dreams demands hard work and the support of a community,” said Shukla. “As a nonprofit executive, social entrepreneur, civic leader, and environmental activist I’ve shown people how to reach higher and accomplish more. I want to do the same for the city I love.”

“Madison deserves leadership equal to our aspirations and undaunted by our challenges. In the most progressive, dynamic city in Wisconsin, everyone has a role to play in our success. We can make Madison more affordable. We can keep our neighborhoods healthy and vibrant. We can make sure everyone is safe in our rapidly changing city. But only if we have the courage and political will to find pragmatic solutions to persistent problems.”

“I appreciate Mayor Soglin’s long service to our community. I am running for mayor to lead Madison to become all we know it can be. I've helped businesses, nonprofits and governments live up to their ideals. I will do the same for our city.”

As executive director of River Alliance of Wisconsin, Raj Shukla leads the fight against some of Governor Walker’s worst ideas, like the financially and environmentally damaging Foxconn deal. His vision also forged new, market-based programs that work with farmers to limit pollution that hurts lakes and streams. Raj is also an active member of the Downtown Rotary, and he recently served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the Dane County foster care system.

Raj Shukla is the spouse of a doctoral candidate at UW-Madison and their three girls attend Madison public schools. He’s a graduate of UW-Madison and a die-hard Badger.

****

Learn more about Raj Shukla at www.rajshukla.com

Mike is a different kind of gubernatorial candidate at a time when this state needs some different approaches to our issues.

Retired Archbishop Rembert Weakland sends letter "Setting Record Straight" to gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn.

MILWAUKEE, WI - In recent months, Republicans and some Democrats have claimed that gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn was responsible for transfers of abusive priests when Flynn was a litigation partner at Quarles and Brady and served as counsel to the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

Retired Archbishop Rembert Weakland confirmed that neither Flynn nor any lawyers were involved in transfers of abusive priests. Click here to read Weakland’s email statement.

Matt Flynn responded, “Thank you to Archbishop Weakland for confirming that neither I nor any lawyers were involved in the reassignment of priests who had been accused of abuse of minors. Allegations by Republicans, some Democrats, and others to the contrary are false.”

###

Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He graduated from law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com.

She will restore the office of State Treasurer to the originally-intended, independent fiscal check on state government says Wisconsin chapter of the Women's March movement.

MILWAUKEE, WI - Women's March Wisconsin is proud to endorse Sarah Godlewski in the race for State Treasurer. We are confident that she will restore the office of State Treasurer to be the originally-intended, independent fiscal check on state government.

As State Treasurer, Sarah Godlewski will provide greater transparency and accountability to school finance. She will advocate for the financial health of all Wisconsinites - including women, people of color, people with disabilities, Native, immigrant, Muslim, lesbian, queer, trans, nonbinary, formerly incarcerated and poor people - which includes working to reduce the risk of medical debt, supporting policies related to living wages and paid family leave. Through conservation and greater investment in our state’s renewable energy future, she will ensure Wisconsin does its part in slowing the impact of climate change.

We believe it's time our state has a fiscal watchdog who will ensure our tax dollars are protected from corruption and spent wisely. Sarah Godlewski has fought for the economic empowerment of every Wisconsinite for years and we are proud to endorse her campaign for State Treasurer.

---

Women’s March WI: This is the Wisconsin chapter of the Women's March movement. Women’s March is a women-led movement providing intersectional education on a diverse range of issues and creating entry points for new grassroots activists and organizers to engage in their local communities through trainings, outreach programs and events. Women’s March is committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance and building inclusive structures guided by self-determination, dignity and respect. Follow in FaceBook @womensmarchwi

Roys’ TV and digital buy marks her campaign’s first major investment in paid media this cycle. See both here.

MADISON, WI - Tomorrow, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kelda Roys will be launching her advertising campaign with a video highlighting her fight for choice and commitment to move Wisconsin forward.

Roys’ TV and digital buy marks her campaign’s first major investment in paid media this cycle. The 30 second TV spot can be viewed here and the 15 second digital spot can be viewed here. A transcript of the ads has been provided below.

“Right now, Wisconsinites are facing a serious threat to our right to choose,” said Roys. “Our governor cannot just passively support choice, she needs a proven track record of fighting for it. She must be a champion for women’s health. I have that record, and as governor, I will be your champion.”

The latest Marquette poll found that Wisconsin is still a strongly pro-choice state, with 63% of Wisconsinites supporting legal abortion in all or most cases. While overwhelming numbers of Democrats and Independents support the right to choose, even 46% of Republicans support choose in all or most cases.

Tell Them transcript (TV):

Kelda: Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does.

In Wisconsin, abortion is still a crime. And I can't believe that I’m having to fight the same fights that my grandmother fought.

You know, as a parent, I think about my daughters. I tell my girls, we can’t look backwards. We have to move forward. We have to build the future that we want.

I’m Kelda Roys. As your governor, I’ll lead Wisconsin forward from day one.

Tell Them transcript (Digital):

Kelda: In Wisconsin, abortion is still a crime.

You know, as a parent, I think about my daughters and I can't believe I'm having to fight the same fights that my grandmother fought.

But as governor, we need someone who is a champion for women's health.

###

Kelda Roys, 39, is a small business owner, attorney, former state representative, and past head of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin who has been standing up for women and families throughout her career. In the Assembly, she stood out as an influential and effective lawmaker, delivering results for working families and helping lead the opposition to Governor Scott Walker’s divisive agenda. As a parent and step-parent of four girls, Roys will fight for paid family leave, affordable childcare, great schools, and quality healthcare for all. In a year in which Wisconsin voters are ready for change, Kelda Roys provides the clearest contrast to Scott Walker.

Flynn distinguishes himself as the only candidate with a plan to stop Foxconn.

MILWAUKEE - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn will launch his first television advertisement of the campaign this week. In the spot, titled “Only Candidate”, Flynn distinguishes himself as the only candidate with a plan to stop Foxconn.

“I am excited to release my first campaign ad which will show Wisconsin Democrats why I am the correct choice to take on Walker in the fall,” said Flynn. “This election is too important to sit out, and we need a candidate who is ready and willing to stand up to Donald Trump and Scott Walker. I’m the only veteran in the race and the only one with a plan to stop Foxconn.”

The Flynn campaign added the commercial to his YouTube page. It can be seen here.

###

Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He graduated from law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com.