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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.