Johnson should release details of his recent secret all-GOP trip to Russia now that 12 Russian nationals were indicted in crimes related to Russia’s interference in our election.

MADISON - Sen. Ron Johnson, who recently returned from a secret all-GOP trip to Russia, has yet to respond to requests that he disclose more details on his trip now that 12 Russian nationals were indicted in crimes related to Russia’s interference in our election. Here are 5 questions Johnson should be asked at his roundtable discussion today:

1. Why did Johnson return from his trip downplaying the threat of Russian election interference? On his return from Russia, Ron Johnson remarked that Russia’s potential to interfere in future U.S. elections is “not the greatest threat to our democracy” and “when you look at threats to this nation I look at much larger threats.”
2. What did Russian officials say to the all-GOP delegation who would undoubtedly benefit from future Russian influence in our elections?The U.S.’s Director of National Intelligence has warned that Russia is likely to interfere again in the 2018 midterms. Russians were eager to see Trump and other Russia-friendly Republicans elected, and it is likely if they were to interfere in 2018, it would be to the GOP’s benefit.
3. Why did Johnson return from his trip suggesting loosened sanctions on Russia? Johnson, after meeting with unnamed Russian officials, dismissed the threat of election interference and then suggested that sanctions weren’t working and should be lifted. He made these suggestions despite mountains of proof that Russia sought to influence the outcoming of the 2016 election.
4. Was Johnson offered something in exchange for his obedience?Johnson’s sudden dismissal of the threat of Russian interference suggests that he could have been manipulated or encouraged by Russian officials to adopt a pro-Russian attitude.
5. Why doesn’t Johnson take the credible, well-investigated threat of Russian election interference seriously? Dozens of individuals have been charged with crimes related to Russia’s attempt to interfere in the 2016 elections, and a top U.S. intelligence official warned that “frankly, the United States is under attack.” Why hasn’t Ron Johnson taken this threat to our national security seriously?

Small money fundraising, statewide volunteer network fuel movement against the machine.

ALTOONA, WI - Mike McCabe’s grassroots campaign for governor raised nearly $261,000 through the end of June from thousands of small contributions to supplement the efforts of more than 2,500 volunteers throughout the state and McCabe’s own barnstorming across Wisconsin.

McCabe stands alone among the eight remaining candidates for the Democratic nomination in limiting individual donations to no more than $200. Supporters are allowed to give multiple times but not more than a total of $1,000. State law allows candidates for governor in Wisconsin to take as much as $20,000 from individuals and $86,000 from political action committees.

“It is thrilling to see the outpouring of support our campaign has received from every part of the state, not only in the form of large numbers of small donations but especially in the form of volunteered time and effort, which are not reflected on any campaign finance report. We have the human and financial resources to run the kind of campaign needed to get Wisconsin a very different kind of leadership that puts regular people in the driver’s seat of our government,” McCabe said. “We don’t have big money on our side but when it comes to people power our campaign is the richest in the race by far.”

McCabe went on to say: “Money will not win this election. Those who believe it will are conceding that the governor will be elected again, because he will have vastly more than anyone. No candidate in the Democratic field has raised anywhere close to a tenth of what the governor has. Two of the Democrats with the most money proved unable to translate it into support from voters and recently suspended their campaigns and withdrew from the race. Those who are chasing fat cat donors from coast to coast are playing the governor’s favorite game and playing it by his rules. They are playing to his strengths and ultimately playing into his hands. To get a new governor, we need to challenge and overcome money power with people power. It takes a movement to beat the machine.”

The campaign’s committee, Commoners for Mike McCabe, submitted a report today to state election authorities listing more than 1,800 contributions in the first half of 2018. These combined with nearly 1,100 contributions received in 2017 brings the total number of donors to nearly 3,000.

In its report of campaign activity through the end of June, the committee reported fundraising in the last six months of more than $156,000 and expenses of just over $109,000 with an ending cash balance topping $68,000. This brings the total amount raised for the campaign to nearly $260,800 with expenses totaling slightly more than $192,500. In 2017 contributions totaled $104,000 and expenses were $83,000 with an ending balance of $21,000.

Based on today’s campaign finance filing, McCabe would have been included in the televised debate the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association was planning if it had gone forward. The group wanted to include only the top four candidates in the most recent Marquette University poll who also had raised at least $250,000. McCabe was in the top four, having climbed to a tie for second among the 10 candidates in the race at that time. The poll also showed McCabe running neck and neck with the governor. According to the Marquette poll, McCabe runs stronger in a head-to-head matchup with Walker than any of the other Democratic candidates.

The WBA backed off its plan and cancelled the debate in early June after a firestorm of protest. McCabe was first among the candidates to call out the WBA for relying on polling and fundraising to determine which candidates should debate and committed to boycotting the event had the association chosen to go ahead with it.

“WBA’s format would have favored me. But it would have been a disservice to the voters and to the democratic process,” McCabe said.

"Uihlein... is committed to undermining working people's rights, eliminating Social Security, & phasing out health care programs that Wisconsin families rely on" say Dems.

MADISON - Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein is officially going right after Republican Party of Wisconsin-endorsed Senate candidate Leah Vukmir, spending whatever it takes to stop Vukmir's momentum and buy the GOP Senate primary for Kevin Nicholson, Uihlein's bought-and-paid-for candidate of choice.

On Friday, Club for Growth Action Wisconsin -- a group that's solely funded by $2.5 million from Uihlein -- announced a $2 million-plus TV buy attacking Vukmir as a shady and corrupt "typical politician."

To-date, Uihlein-funded groups have already spent more than $7.5 million on TV radio ads boosting Nicholson and attacking Vukmir and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. And since 2017, Uihlein has donated more than $22 million to 11 groups propping up Nicholson's campaign, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Is it any wonder that the New York Times has characterized Uihlein's pro-Nicholson spending as the Illinois billionaire's effort to "spawn" and "nurture" a U.S. Senator of his own?

"Kevin Nicholson is bought-and-paid-for, and every Wisconsinite should be worried about Nicholson's out-of-state special interest backer Dick Uihlein, because Uihlein is an ultraconservative megadonor who is committed to undermining working people's rights, eliminating Social Security, and phasing out health care programs that Wisconsin families rely on," said Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voter-us-elections-s5.jpgEnter your address to find your polling place, and build your ballot with this fine online voters' guide developed by the League of Women Voters Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/demgovdebate3-s5.jpgOn Thursday, the eight major remaining Democratic candidates for Governor met at WUWM studios in Milwaukee. Here is the video of the debate in its entirety.

Gubernatorial candidate Mahlon Mitchell hosts a roundtable on criminal justice reform and visits the Clinton Rose Senior Center in Milwaukee on Monday.

MILWAUKEE - Yesterday was a day of hard conversations.

Our tour brought us to Milwaukee, where I hosted a roundtable on criminal justice reform -- an issue deeply personal to many folks in that city and around our state.

We know that an incarcerated Wisconsin is not a productive Wisconsin. My Administration will look beyond incarceration and invest in opportunity in our vulnerable communities and work to foster a criminal justice system that focuses on rehabilitation and successful re-entry.

But first, we have to listen. I need you to enact true reform -- you, your ideas and your experiences. I’m here to listen and take action.

Next, I was welcomed by the community at Clinton Rose Senior Center where residents voiced their concerns about access to health care and other essential services and the rising cost of prescription pills.

Medicaid pays for premiums, copays, and drug costs but the single most important way Medicaid helps seniors is by covering long-term care or nursing home costs. By not taking Medicaid expansion dollars we are putting the lives of older Wisconsinites at risk. Our seniors deserve the best care and access to services they can get.

We ended the day with President Trump’s announcement of Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court.

The stakes of the 2018 midterm election cycle can not be more dire. Wisconsin cannot count on Scott Walker’s cronyism, corruption, and incompetence to protect the rights of the over 5.7 million Wisconsinites.

We need a Governor that will stand up for a woman’s right to choose, our families' right to fair and equal pay, and our right to healthcare -- no matter what comes out of the Supreme Court.

Yes, these conversations -- about badly needed reforms to our criminal justice system, about rising health care costs, about dangerous changes to the Supreme Court -- are difficult. But with all hands working, we can rise together and move forward, no matter what.

Thank you,

-- Mahlon

"When the doors are closed, Leah is not going to be a doormat" - Glenn Grothman

PEWAUKEE, WI — Rep. Glenn Grothman, who represents Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District, endorsed Leah Vukmir for U.S. Senate Friday at a campaign rally.

“Every step of the way, Leah has taken the hard route, not afraid to make the fundamental changes we need in this state," Grothman said. “Behind the scenes, she’s not afraid to fight, and I know when the doors are closed, Leah Vukmir is not going to be a doormat. To beat Sen. Baldwin this fall, it is so important that we fire up, and all get prepared to do all we can to support the woman I’m endorsing for U.S. Senate — Leah Vukmir.”

“I’m thankful to have Glenn on my team,” Leah said. “He has been a leader fighting to balance our budget, get people off food stamps and into family-supporting jobs, and defund Planned Parenthood. I can’t wait to work with him to take our Wisconsin values to DC.”

****

Leah Vukmir is a nurse, military mom and conservative with a proven record who has stood with Gov. Walker in cutting taxes and implementing bold reforms. Endorsed by the Republican Party of Wisconsin, Leah is running for the U.S. Senate to bring the Wisconsin Way to Washington.

Roys’ plan focuses on improving healthcare, education, wages,  and opportunity for working families - beginning on day one of her administration. Outagamie County Executive Thomas Nelson adds his endorsement.

GREEN BAY, WI - Today, Kelda Roys announced the agenda she will be campaigning on in the primary - Building Wisconsin’s Future: An Agenda for Working Families, as well as the endorsement of Outagamie County Executive Thomas Nelson.

“I have known Kelda for almost 15 years and there is no better advocate and champion for working families,” said Outagamie County Executive Thomas Nelson, who announced his endorsement of Roys at the press conference. “Working together, we took on some of the biggest, most powerful special interests – and won. I can say in no uncertain terms that you can count on Kelda to get the job done: to return our state to its progressive roots, to ensure affordable health care for all Wisconsinites, to build an economy that works for our families, and to make our public schools, once again, the envy of the nation. I am delighted and honored to endorse Kelda Roys, the next governor of our state.”

Nelson’s endorsement came as Roys unveiled Building Wisconsin’s Future, her agenda for working families. Families across Wisconsin are falling behind as the prices of health care, child care, higher education and prescription medication continue to rise, while wages remain stagnant and schools suffer under massive budget cuts. Kelda Roys’ Building Wisconsin’s Future agenda will empower families by raising wages, lowering costs, and investing in Wisconsinites all across our state.

Building Wisconsin’s Future has three pillars:  education, healthcare, and economic security:

• Renew Wisconsin’s Commitment to Public Education

  • Ensure universal access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education

  • Pass free tuition to two-year universities and technical colleges

  • Enable Wisconsinites to refinance their student loan debt

  • Restore the deep cuts made to Wisconsin’s public schools and UW system

• Expand Healthcare Access & Affordability

  • Reduce the prices of prescription medication

  • Make BadgerCare a public option to reduce prices and increase access

  • Accept the ACA’s Medicaid Expansion to save money and create jobs

  • Expand access to mental and behavioral health services and rural healthcare

• Build an Economy for Workers & Families

  • Ensure women can fully and equally participate in the economy by defending the right to choose

  • Allow Wisconsinites to buy-in to a stable public pension system

  • Pass universal Paid Family & Medical Leave

  • Raise wages by increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour over time

  • Restore workers’ rights to collectively bargain

  • Eliminate WEDC and restore a public commerce agency focused on Wisconsin-owned small and growing businesses and homegrown innovators

“I’m running for governor because I have a track record of delivering for working families, and Wisconsin needs that now more than ever,” said Roys. “We can restore opportunity and fairness to Wisconsin, making our state a place where every child, and every family, can thrive.”

###

More information on Kelda’s policy agenda can be found at Keldaforgovernor.com

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 stands ready to lead Wisconsin into a more progressive future on day one.

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate says Mandela is an experienced leader with strong progressive values.

MILWAUKEE, WI - In my campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, I traveled all over our state. I consistently heard one clear message: Wisconsin’s current leadership is taking us backward. Working people and families are hurting, and we need smart trailblazers with a clear vision to give every Wisconsinite a brighter future.

That’s why I’m proud to endorse Mandela Barnes for Lieutenant Governor.

Mandela is an experienced leader with strong progressive values. Recent events in Washington and Madison have shown just how important this election is for preserving civil rights, protecting our most vulnerable and standing up for workers.

Mandela has my support, and he needs yours too. Will you join me and make a contribution to his campaign today?

He is the candidate we need to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot and gives us the best chance to defeat Scott Walker this November. Mandela has worked with state legislators and advocacy groups across the nation to score progressive victories and beat back right-wing attacks.

I’m ready for a Lieutenant Governor who knows how to fight against policies that hurt working families and one who will not stop until we have a Wisconsin that works for everyone.

In solidarity,

Tim Burns

Will be in Green Bay this coming Monday, July 9th at the Brown County Democratic Party Office.

GREEN BAY, WI - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kelda Roys will be announcing her policy agenda in Green Bay this coming Monday, July 9th. Roys will also unveil the endorsement of a prominent Fox Valley elected official at the event.

Roys’ campaign has spent months building the momentum needed to win the gubernatorial primary. The endorsement of fundraising powerhouse EMILY’s List, Kelda’s victory in multiple straw polls across Wisconsin, including the straw poll held at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin convention, and a bold progressive agenda have solidified Roys’ status as a frontrunner in this campaign.

WHO:

- Kelda Roys: real estate entrepreneur, former state representative, attorney, candidate for governor

- Endorsing Fox Valley Elected Official

WHAT:

- A press conference unveiling Kelda Roys’ primary campaign agenda

WHEN

- Monday, July 9th - 2:00PM - 2:30PM

WHERE:

- The Brown County Democratic Party Office

- 118 S Chestnut Ave, Green Bay, WI 54303