! - Grassroots North Shore

Dear {{recipient.first_name_or_friend}} —

With just three weeks until the primary (February 21), here's what you need to do:

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE!
Check your registration, polling place, sample ballot, and request an absentee ballot at MyVote.WI.gov
Find information about the candidates who are on the February 21 ballot at our Elections page.
Find early voting times and places for your community on our early in-person voting page.
Ask five friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to vote in this super low turnout election.

On my ballot for the primary, there is only one race: to determine which two candidates will be on the April 4 ballot for Supreme Court Justice. This phenomenon is likely to be the case in many municipalities across the state. In the seven north shore communities and in Ozaukee County there are hardly any contested races in the primary. But this primary is on EVERY BALLOT IN THE STATE. Don't you dare miss it.

The candidates are not shown as affiliated with any political party because this election is supposedly nonpartisan. But we all know that is not the case. There are two progressive judges running: Judge Janet Protasiewicz (pronounced pro-tuh-SAY-witz) and Judge Everett Mitchell. Visit our page devoted to this office for links to the candidates' responses to our questionnaire, their websites and other online information. And vote for ONE of them!

There are a lot of other resources you might want to consult. In his column Murphy's Law in Urban Milwaukee, Bruce Murphy details The Radical Views of Kelly and Dorow, the two "conservatives" running in this primary. The piece delves into Regent University's law school where Kelly and Dorow both got their law degrees, exploring the school's principles and its standing among law schools in the US. He also notes that Kelly — a Scott Walker appointee on the Wisconsin Supreme Court but who lost his election for a full 10-year term in 2020 — "wrote a book, in 2014, with strikingly unorthodox views on the law, declaring that that 'all authority' comes not from the U.S. Constitution but from God." As for Dorow, Murphy cites her letter applying to Walker for a vacant seat on a Wisconsin Circuit Court: "her application for the judgeship condemned the 2003 Lawrence v. Texas decision by the U.S. Supreme Court as the 'worst Wisconsin or U.S. Supreme Court decision.' The 6-3 ruling cited the Due Process clause of the 14th amendment to strike down the sodomy law in Texas." He goes on to say that "press accounts of her debate performance [on january 9, 2023] raised questions about her knowledge of the issues. 'Dorow spent most of the time during her answers referencing a plastic binder of notes in front of her,' PBS Wisconsin reported. 'On most questions, Dorow read from a prepared script and did not answer fully,' the Journal Sentinel observed."

The Wisconsin Examiner, in a piece by Henry Redman, exposes the views the two "conservatives" espoused at a December 6, 2022, event held by the Republican Women of Waukesha County for “celebrating conservatives in law.” It provides insights into more than judicial "philosophy" and is well worth the few minutes it takes to read.

John Nichols, associate editor of the Capital Times, published a piece in early January setting the background for this race and rightly demonstrating that Justice Roggensack, whose resignation creates this judicial opening, led a Court that has been highly partisan: "In recent years, Roggensack has been part of a conservative majority than has turned the Supreme Court into a national embarrassment. With her fellow conservative judicial activist colleagues, Roggensack undermined public health measures during the coronavirus pandemic, eroded nonpartisan oversight of elections and embraced gerrymandering of legislative districts to favor the conservative majority's Republican allies." And he points out that "since 2018, conservatives have lost two places on the high court bench with the easy elections of a pair of mainstream progressive jurists. Justice Rebecca Dallet won in 2018 by a 56-44 margin, and Justice Jill Karofsky won by a 55-45 margin in 2020." He concludes "For progressives, the question is which contender would be the strongest in an April general election against a conservative. If voters bet right, and if Roggensack’s seat is taken by a progressive, the court will be able to revisit the issues it got wrong during Roggensack’s tenure."

Spencer Black, a regular columnist for The Capitol Times, has a January 24 piece, From elections to drinking water — court election could seal Wisconsin's fate, discussed the race and, like Nichols, urged voters to "support the strongest candidate." Only he does make a choice. Black has a deep knowledge of politics in this state. As he's been talking to "politically knowledgeable folks around the state," he finds that, despite the fact that Judge Everett Mitchell's "rulings on key issues as a justice would likely be very similar to those of Judge Protasiewicz," those he consulted shared the "unanimous opinion is that Protasiewicz is far and away the strongest progressive candidate." Grassroots North Shore does not endorse a candidate when there is more than one progressive running in a single race, as there is in this one. So you should read Black's piece with an open mind.

PBS Wisconsin has a good summary of the January 9, 2023, debate with the four candidates. And you can watch interviews with Dan Kelly and Judge Everett Mitchell online. And as you talk about this election, be sure to follow the advice of Wisconsin Conservation Voices' Messaging Guidance for 2023 Supreme Court Race. The advice is sound political messaging regardless of the topic — for example, in the current election "center our shared values of freedom in your messaging. Offer specific examples of court cases that relate to people’s real-life concerns, be clear that power lies in the hands of the people, and that this will have impacts on our state for decades." And "use hopeful, unifying words that are clear and easy to understand." As examples, the document lists "For All; Freedom, fair, accessible, unbiased; voting maps that represent our communities."

Finally, a small diversion into national news. Apparently George Santos has recused himself from his House committee assignments. See the coverage on the Washington Post site or on Daily Kos. He-who-shall-not-be-named may be facing criminal charges at long last. The potential charges stem from his hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, according to NBC News. And CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) declares Fani Willis is going to indict Trump soon. Here’s what that looks like." Fani Willis, of course, is the Fulton County District Attorney who recently wrapped up a special purpose grand jury investigation of potential criminality in TFG's effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. At the January 24 hearing about the matter, she argued that the report the grand jury submitted should not be made public until charging decisions are made, decisions she said were "imminent."

Now the nag: yes it is cold outside but the work still needs to get done. In the Events list below, you will find that canvassing season has begun. Turn out to canvass! Help ensure that we get at least one progressive for Supreme Court Justice on the ballot in the April 4 election. The Glendale Team, the Fox Point Team, the Brown Deer folks and others will be hosting these events throughout this election season. Bundle up and join in.

EVENTS

Wednesday, February 1

MLK: The Life Of A Prophet, 7:00 - 8:00pm
online
Please join DC photographer, film producer and social justice activist Phil Portlock and his wife Pat Sloan, as they present, “MLK: THE LIFE OF A SERVANT”, a 30 -minute film tribute to the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 94th year of his birth on (January 15, 2023), and the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington August 28, 2023. Sign up.

Thursday, February 2

NextGen Organizing: Wisconsin Supreme Court - Deep Dive, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Virtual
Last year, we saw the U.S. Supreme Court vote to erode some of our fundamental federal rights, putting our state courts at the frontline of defending them. With so much hanging in the balance, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a race we cannot sit out. Join NextGen America for a Deep Dive on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race as we talk about the upcoming election, what's at stake, and how you can get involved. A Zoom Link will be provided upon sign up — see you there! Sign up.

Seeking Lady Justice: Why Our Courts Matter, 7:00pm
Community Room at Nicolet High School, 6701 N Jean Nicolet Rd, Glendale
Based on Slate Magazine's Dahlia Lithwick's book, Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America, this program features a discussion and Q and A with Wi Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet. Registration encouraged. Questions: contact [email protected].

Saturday, February 4

Brown Deer Gets Out The Vote For The Milwaukee Primary, 9-noon, noon-3, 3-6pm Event address available on sign up
Join us as we GET OUT THE VOTE in Milwaukee in anticipation for the upcoming critical Supreme Court race and other pivotal local races this Spring! By knocking on doors and speaking to voters face to face, we have the chance to ensure a progressive future for ALL Wisconsinites and YOU can play a significant and decisive role in that. Whether you are a first time volunteer or a canvassing pro, we will make sure you have everything you need. Each canvassing shift includes a training and all the materials you need to turn out the vote! The more the merrier - don't hesitate to bring friends & family members with you to your shift! Sign up.

Grassroots Glendale Gets Out the Primary, 12:00 - 3:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr, Glendale
Join us as we GET OUT THE VOTE in Glendale in anticipation for the upcoming Supreme Court primary on February 21st. Knocking on doors & talking to voters face to face is one of the most effective ways YOU can make a difference this February and April. This year is critical for our Democracy - winning in Wisconsin is VITAL! We need all hands on deck to get out the vote! Whether you are a first time volunteer or a canvassing pro, we will make sure you have everything you need. We will start the canvassing shift with training and give you all the materials you need to volunteer. The more the merrier - please feel free to bring friends & family members with you to your shift! Sign up.

Fox Point Gets out the Primary, 12:00 - 3:00pm
7632 N Beach Dr, Fox Point
Join us as we GET OUT THE VOTE in Fox Point for Jodi Sinykin and in anticipation for the upcoming Supreme Court race this Spring. Knocking on doors & talking to voters face to face is one of the most effective ways YOU can make a difference this February and April. This year is critical for our Democracy - winning in Wisconsin is VITAL! We need all hands on deck to get out the vote! Whether you are a first time volunteer or a canvassing pro, we will make sure you have everything you need. We will start the canvassing shift with training and give you all the materials you need to volunteer. The more the merrier - please feel free to bring friends & family members with you to your shift! Sign up.

Get Out the Spring Primary Vote in Milwaukee East & Riverwest, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Colectivo, 2999 N Humboldt Blvd, Milwaukee
Join us in canvassing to Get Out the Vote for the extremely important Wisconsin Supreme Court race coming up this spring. It is critical that we turn out lots and lots of Democratic voters for the February 21 primary and the April 4 election. A brief training is provided at the beginning of each shift. Bring a friend to canvass with you! Watch your email for details. Check your spam if you don't receive a confirmation a few days before each shift. Sign up.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 – 1:00pm
27th/National, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Wednesday, February 8

Wisconsin Jewish Democrats Discussion of WI Supreme Court Race, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Dean and Debbie Zemel's home and via Zoom
We are excited to welcome Karen Royster, active board member of the League of Progressive Retired Seniors as she discusses the importance of the upcoming State Supreme Court Race and what we can do to ensure that a progressive candidate will win this election and join the court. So much is at stake! The State Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in addressing voter suppression, gerrymandering, women's reproductive rights and civil rights. Right now the conservatives have a majority, with the election of a Progressive Judicial Justice the balance of power will shift and the issues we care about will be addressed. Register here.

Living Liberally Waukesha, 6:30 – 8:30pm
The Tap Yard, 1150 W Sunset Drive, Waukesha
Living Liberally Waukesha meets on the first Wednesday of the month, All attendees should be vaccinated and wear masks when not eating or drinking.

Saturday, February 11

Stand for Peace, 12:00 – 1:00pm
State/Water, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Laughing Liberally Milwaukee, 8:00 - 9:30pm
ComedySportz 420 S. 1st St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Laughing Liberally Milwaukee is hosted by, yours truly, comedian, cartoonist and satirist Matthew Filipowicz. Comedians on the February 11th bill include Brian Green, Vanessa Tortolano, Greg Bach, Bobby Hill and sketch comedy troupe The Accountants Of Homeland Security. In addition to some of the finest progressive comedians Milwaukee has to offer, each Laughing Liberally Milwaukee features a special interview with a local activist, journalist, or political figure. This month’s guest is Anna Dvorak from Milwaukee DSA’s campaign to replace We Energies, Power To The People. Tickets $8.

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Eilene Stevens published this page in Newsletter 2023-02-01 07:36:36 -0600

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