Let's start with news about the AD24 election. First I want to correct an error. The 24th AD includes the following communities:
- In Ozaukee County: Town of Grafton (wards 1-6); Village of Grafton (wards 1-14); and City of Mequon (wards 1-4, 6, 10, 12);
- In Washington County: Town of Germantown; Village of Germantown (wards 1-14);
- In Waukesha County: Village of Menomonee Falls (wards 1-7, 9, 11).
It seems likely that there will be a June 20 primary involving at least two Republican candidates: Paul Melotik and Spencer Zimmerman. It is increasingly likely that Bob Tatterson WILL NOT have a challenger in the Democratic party. Nevertheless, if you live in the district, he will be on the primary ballot and really could use your vote. He could also use help RIGHT NOW getting signatures on his nominating papers. Again, if you live in the district and have not yet signed, please download the papers now, sign them (both as nominator and as circulator), and get them to Bob by Friday, May 19. The directions for filling out the form and for getting them to Bob are included.
We're now preparing to send postcards to support Bob Tatterson to 5000 strong and leaning Democratic women in AD24. And we need to buy a large number of stamps. The price of postcard stamps is set to increase on July 9 so we also want to purchase as many as we can to prepare for 2024. Help us beat the higher cost by donating to our stamp fund now. A roll of 100 stamps currently costs $48. You can send a check to Grassroots North Shore, PO Box 170684, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-8056. (Please write "stamps" in the subject line.) Or you can go online to support our election actions.
In other more-or-less local news, Alex Lasry will be at the Waukesha County Democratic Party meeting on Thursday, May 18. He's running to be one of two Wisconsin representatives to the Democratic National Committee. This is an important position and it would be worthwhile to attend, especially if you happen to live near Waukesha. RSVP if you can go.
Wisconsin Republicans are stalling elections reforms even though they're gung-ho on "election integrity" (whatever that means). The 545 items Republicans have stripped from Evers' budget bill include reforms unanimously backed by the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission. The WEC recommended establishing an Office of Transparency and Compliance that would be headed by an elections inspector general. See more about this issue in Urban Milwaukee.
As the legislature tries to wrestle with the budget, you might be interested in "How municipal governments would fare under Assembly Republicans’ and Tony Evers’ shared revenue plans."
The "fake electors scheme" in Wisconsin is back in the news in two different judicial rulings, both by Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington. A lawsuit filed a year ago by two Democratic electors and a voter "alleges that the defendants broke several criminal and civil laws when they met at the Wisconsin state Capitol on Dec. 14, 2020, in an attempt to cast the state’s electoral votes for Trump." The defendants wanted the lawsuit broken up and refiled in each county where a "fake elector" lives. Judge Remington ruled that "the law requires that the case be heard in Dane County where it was filed." The lawsuit seeks $2.4 million in restitution and disqualification of the 10 Republicans from serving as electors in the future.
In another action, Judge Remington ruled that the Wisconsin Election Commission must "reconsider a complaint filed against fake Republican electors." The election commission had dismissed the complaint earlier and had allowed Robert Spindell, one of the commissioners, to participate in the decision even though he was one of the "fake electors." The WEC and Commissioner Spindell together with those who had filed the complaint reached agreement that Spindell would not participate in the new WEC deliberation and decision. "The complaint asked the elections commission to investigate the fake electors' actions and declare that they broke the law (Spectrum News)."
Steve Schmidt, a former Republican consultant and prolific Substack author, writes today about the latest book-banning in Florida. The opening paragraph reads: "The state of Florida has banned textbooks that focus on the Holocaust under Governor Ron Desantis’s censorship laws that politicize and corrupt the teaching of history in Florida. All of this is a type of sick performance theater — a grotesque kabuki. Ron DeSantis has made an assessment that the fastest way to climb the greasy pole all the way to the top and reach the MAGA throne room is by engaging in poisonous theatrics that have come to include censorship of books about the Holocaust."
It's quite a long piece, ending with an address Elie Wiesel — Nobel Laureate, Holocaust survivor, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom — delivered to the United Nations commemorating Auschwitz on January 24, 2005. Schmidt and Wiesel both insist on the "obligation of future generations to bear witness" to the Holocaust, which Schmidt calls "a singular event in human history." Schmidt ends his post with the following sentences: "There is a new extremism rising, and it is happening in America. It is being led by men like Ron DeSantis." Will there be any blowback from this book-banning and others? Is this really what we as a nation have become?
Enough darkness for one day. So here's your woo-hoo goody for the week: Racehl Maddow interviewed E. Jean Carroll and Robbie Kaplan last night. Carroll is likely to file another defamation lawsuit against TFG for remarks he made just the day after a jury found him liable for sexual assault and defamation. According to Kaplan, the potential new lawsuit won't have to adjudicate liability because it's already been adjudicated. Meaning that the new one, if it materializes, will only have to show that the former president defamed Carroll, again.
And one more thing: a Randy Rainbow tribute to Ron DeSantis. You'll love it.
EVENTS
Wednesday, May 17
Drinking Liberally Tosa, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Camp Bar Tosa, 6600 W North Ave, Wauwatosa
Need to vent, share ideas, or just enjoy the company of, and conversation with, fellow progressives in Wauwatosa? Meet old friends and make new ones. Join us!
DPOC General Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave., Grafton
Join us at our Grafton Office as we gather to hear speakers and catch up on the local and state politics influencing Ozaukee County – while spending time with like-minded people. This month our special speaker will be Ann Jacobs, past chair and a member of the Wisconsin Election Commission. All interested people are encouraged to attend.
Thursday, May 18
MICAH Annual Gala, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Mt Zion Lutheran Church, 12012 North Ave, Wauwatosa
MICAH is celebratiTakeaways from Assembly Speaker Vos on Gableman, abortion, Donald Trumpng 35 years of laughter, love and justice. Unsung Hero Award Recipient: Mr. David Liners, Executive Director of WISOM. Featuring Milwaukee's Own Ms. Chastity Washington, Comedian. Doors open at 5:30pm. Reception 6:00 - 7:00pm. Program begins at 7:15. Tickets $75 for adults; $40 for children under 12. To register and pay by check, please contact the office at 414-264-0805 or by email. Mailing address: MICHAH Office, 2821 Vel R Phillips Ave Suite 213, Milwaukee, WI 53212. Purchase tickets and register online here.
Waukesha County Dems, 7:00 - 8:30pm
Southminster Presbyterian Church, 200 Richard St., Waukesha
At this month's meeting, we are joined by Alex Lasry, former candidate for US Senate and now running for the DNC Representative from Wisconsin at the DPW State Convention. Alex will be talking about the role of the office and why he is running, plus there will be time for questions. This is a huge meeting and you won't want to miss. RSVP.
Saturday, May 20
Oz Dems Volunteer Workday with OWLT!, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Forest Beach Migratory Preserve, 4970 Country Club Rd, Port Washington
In participation of the DPW week of service, the Ozaukee Dems will be volunteering at the Ozaukee-Washington Land Trust to work on the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve! RSVP to attend the event.
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Burleigh and 92nd Street, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday. This week we will focus on Palestinian rights Join us.
Rally to Support Governor Evers’ Education Budget!, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Madison State Capitol, 2 E Main St., Madison
Join other education advocates to show your support for our kids, teachers and public schools. Sign up to participate.
Tuesday, May 23
Hippy Milwaukee 25th Anniversary Breakfast, 8:00 - 9:30am
Italian Community Center, 631 E Chicago St., Milwaukee
HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) empowers parents to be their children’s first teachers through guidance from home visitors who are socio-economic and cultural peers of the parents. Not only does HIPPY improve school readiness, but it also engages parents in their children’s education throughout their schooling and often inspires parents to seek more education for themselves, thus enhancing the whole family’s prospects. Register now.
Wednesday, May 24
League of Women Voters Milwaukee County, 5:00 - 8:30pm
Summit Place, 6737 W Washington St, West Allis
Social time is at 5:00 p.m., dinner is at 5:45 p.m. and the Business Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. Our guest speaker this year is LWVMC member, Anita Johnson, voting rights advocate and recipient of many awards including: the 2020 Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award and the 2023 Black Excellence Award in Community Leadership. Her work with Souls to the Polls is ongoing. Cost of the dinner is $20 for members and non-members. Register to attend.
Thursday, May 25
Emergency Gun Violence Summit, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 333 W Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee
This Summit will be the premiere gun violence prevention conference in the Midwest and will feature national and local speakers, experts and gun violence survivors. Speakers and panelists will share information, discuss urgently needed gun violence prevention legislation as well as share strategies on effective community violence intervention and advocacy. Featured speakers include Darryl Morin (National President, Forward Latino), Clarence Nichols (President, NAACP-Milwaukee Branch), Anneliese Dickman (Midwest Program Manager, Brady Campaign & Center to Prevent Gun Violence) and many more. Register here. The program is hosted by The 80% Coalition and Forward Latino. More information.
Saturday, May 27
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
King and Locust Streets, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday. Join us.
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, June 2
Public Law in the Staes: The Work of State Supreme Courts, 1:30 - 3:00pm
Tripp Commons, Memorial Union; 300 Langdon St, Madison
The State Democracy Research Initiative invites you to please join us. The panel will highlight the perspectives of state supreme court justices from across the country. Participating jurists will explore the role and work of state supreme courts. Topics of discussion will include how state court systems are distinctive, how state-level approaches to adjudication might differ from federal approaches, and aspects of state law that warrant greater attention from scholars and the public. The State Democracy Research Initiative is delighted to welcome Justice Jennifer Brunner (Ohio Supreme Court), Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement (Michigan Supreme Court), Justice Leondra Kruger (California), Justice Anne McKeig (Minnesota Supreme Court), and Vice Chief Justice Ann Timmer (Arizona Supreme Court) for this discussion. A virtual option is available when you Register.
A Conversation with Steve Schmidt & Joyce Vance, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Online with Steve Schmidt
Join Joyce Vance of Civil Discourse and Steve Schmidt of The Warning to talk about the stress on our institutions and the challenges they face, especially in the context of the diminishment of the rule of law. Some of the questions and topics they'll cover include:
- What does it mean to be a rule of law country? Is it ever appropriate to defy a law?
- What are we entitled to expect from our courts? Are they living up to that, and if not, what should be done?
- What does it mean to have a former president who is under indictment?
The event will be moderated by Suzy Shuster, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and founder of Magnetic Media Group. Sign up.
Friday, June 9 & Saturday, June 10
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