Power Progress

It's been fun

After nearly two wonderful years as the Political Director for Progressive Majority Wisconsin, I have decided to pursue a great new opportunity managing Linda Clifford’s campaign for state Supreme Court Justice.

But before I'm gone I want to take a moment to reflect on the time I’ve spent working for this amazing organization.

I am so proud of the work that we’ve done in such a short time. In spring of 2005 we helped elect energetic new leaders like La Crosse Common Councilwomen Dorothy Lenard and Jai Johnson, Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris, and Oshkosh City Councilman Bryan Bain.

This past spring we saw the election of Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson, Green Bay City Councilwoman Celestine Jeffreys, and Racine County Supervisor Ken Hall to name a few.

And last week we were an integral part of an 8 seat pick-up in the State Assembly and a new Democratic, progressive majority in the State Senate.

I have been so fortunate to work with so many generous, kind and talented people both within and outside Progressive Majority along the way.

I know this organization will continue to have a huge impact on the political landscape here in Wisconsin and nationally and I am honored to have been a part of it for a short while.

The Company You Keep

Nominating 3 New Members to the He-Man Woman Haters Club

A McTwist: Campaign Cash & County Phone Calls

We've already told you about the roughly 300 calls Bill "Mac" McReynolds made from his county executive office to his private businesses on taxpayer time.

Well the State Senate Democratic Committee did a little more research into Big Mac's county phone records and found:

Racine County phone records show on November 30, 2005, McReynolds placed a phone call to a business owned by Robert Basil. Campaign finance reports show McReynolds received a $100.00 political contribution from Basil that same day.

McReynolds has taken $1,000 from Basil throughout the course of the campaign.

Hmmm...Mac's taxpayer funded office used for campaign fundraising as well?

Flip the State Senate - Start a Progress Account

The Capital Times had a story this weekend about the State Senate hanging in the balance 3 weeks out from election day.

The rundown on the races was right on (with the exception of Milwaukee's 7th District which is not seriously contested).

Four key seats, all of which are take backs for the Democrats, will determine the majority. All four of them have Progressive Majority candidates running in them.

From the Cap Times:

Key races: The Senate districts that political commentators such as Heim and others consider possible takeovers by Democrats are:

• The 5th District: Sen. Tom Reynolds, R-West Allis, is being challenged by Democrat Jim Sullivan of Wauwatosa.

...

• The 21st District: Sen. Cathy Stepp, R-Sturtevant, is not running for re-election, so the seat is up for grabs. The contenders are Rep. John Lehman, D-Racine, and Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds of Racine.

• The 23rd District: Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire, is being challenged by Democrat Pat Kreitlow of Chippewa Falls.

• The 31st District: Sen. Ron Brown, R-Eau Claire, is opposed by Democrat Kathleen Vinehout of Alma.

Progressives can be decisive in flipping the State Senate this year. Start a Progress Account, Progressive Majority’s online contribution management system NOW, and make a contribution to Kathleen Vinehout or Jim Sullivan.