For the next six days, the only thing that matters — locally at least — is the upcoming election for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. Early in-person voting ends in most North Shore suburbs, Ozaukee County municipalities, and Washington County municipalities on Friday, April 3. Contact your municipal clerk for dates, times, and places. In Milwaukee, early in-person voting also takes place in several locations on Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5. If you have not voted yet, please do so this week! Otherwise, plan to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, April 7, from 7:00am to 8:00pm.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is organizing plenty of Get Out the Vote Canvassing with a number of candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor. This is a great opportunity to meet and hear from them AND to do a little electioneering! Here's a list of who will be where as we knock the last doors in our communities.
- Chris Taylor in Milwaukee's West Side, Saturday, April 4 at 12:00pm;
- Joel Brennan in Tosa, Saturday, April 4 at 12:00pm;
- Joel Brennan in Riverwest, Saturday, April 4 at 3:00pm;
- David Crowley in Glendale, Saturday, April 4 at 3:00pm;
- Kelda Roys in Bayview, Saturday, April 4 at 3:00pm.
- Sara Rodriguez in Milwaukee's West Side, Monday, April 6 at 9:00am;
- Missy Hughes in Tosa, Monday, April 6 at 3:00pm
And to close out the campaign, Chris Taylor will kick off the canvass at the Bayview office of the Democratic Party of Milwaukee County, 2999 S Delaware Ave in Milwaukee, on Tuesday, April 7, at 12:00pm!
Please sign up to do some canvassing as we run through the tape at the finish line of this election. It will certainly be a low turnout affair. Which is why we need to urge people to vote in this one. Already, the rate of early and absentee votes lags well behind where it was a year ago when Susan Crawford was running. Here's a list of canvassing staging locations for the Get Out the Vote end game:
- Brown Deer, April 4, 5, 6, and 7
- Fox Point/Bayside, April 3, 4, and 6
- Glendale, April 3, 4, and 6
- Germantown, April 2, 4, 6, and 7
- Grafton & Cedarburg, April 4, 6, and 7
- Lakefront, April 4, 6, and 7
- Mequon, April 2, 4, 6, and 7
- West Allis, April 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7
- Whitefish Bay, April 3, 4, and 6
People don't seem to feel the same sense of urgency about this election that they felt a year ago when the balance of the court was in the contention, but they should. With a solidly liberal majority currently on the court, what's the big deal this year? There's a lot less money sloshing around this race — and no Elon Musk to act as villain. Yet, a little reflection reveals that electing Chris Taylor solidifies control of the court until at least 2030, when the next census takes place. That means protecting fair maps, voting rights, and reproductive rights — not to mention election challenges emanating from the 2028 elections!
Campaigns are always interesting windows into the character of candidates. So I was thrilled when I accidentally received a post card from the Lazar campaign. I thought I'd share with you the way her campaign portrays her opponent and herself. The photo of Judge Taylor speaks volumes, as does the characterization of her as "The Activist." 
Although Judge Taylor has been on the bench since 2022, the Lazar campaign pronounces her a "career politician" and fails to note that she is a sitting judge. She's depicted in a clearly darkened photograph, microphone in hand and no judicial trappings in sight. Adding that she worked for Planned Parenthood is simply a way of saying that she supports reproductive rights without having to come out and say directly that Maria Lazar is opposed to abortion!
Meanwhile, the Lazar campaign portrays the candidate in a bright light, smiling, in front of what appears to be a library of law books. The card uses her title and proclaims that she has "12 years of Honorable Judicial Experience" without providing a clue about her judicial philosophy, let alone her ideology. 
The headline above the two pictures reads "TWO RECORDS. ONE CHOICE." The reverse side of the card, however, reveals a great deal about Lazar's views: "Wisconsin's Supreme Court is our last line of defense. The Madison political machine is spending millions to install a career activist who will put her partisan agenda first." The reference to the "Madison Machine" is simply code for lefties we don't like. And of course, there's an appeal for a donation complete with QR code.
As for the money race, the financial reporting for February 3 through March 23 came out on Monday. As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel put it on March 31, "Chris Taylor outraising, outspending Maria Lazar in Supreme Court race." Their analysis shows "Taylor and her supporters have outspent Lazar and her backers 15-1." It's no wonder the Republican party, which paid for the Lazar campaign piece I received, is so eager to funnel donations to their candidate!
It's pretty late in the cycle, but the two candidates are going to debate on April 2 — that's tomorrow — from 7:00 - 8:00pm on WISN 12 News. Even if you've already voted, it is worth watching I should think.
In no election, no matter how small, can we afford to sit on our hands. So please, get busy. If you cannot canvass, you can make phone calls, send texts, talk to like-minded family and friends, urging them to get out and vote.
And thus endeth the lesson!
Our demented leader plans to address the nation tonight. Any bets on whether he rambles on about his ballroom, about rogue judges, about the pens he uses? Will he declare victory in Iran and leave? Does he think the price of gasoline will magically decline Thursday morning if he announces that he's won? After all, according to his highness, the war has already achieved regime change: "President Trump on Sunday suggested that 'regime change' in Iran had been achieved because so many of its top leaders have been killed in U.S.-Israeli attacks, as he sought to show progress in a war that has entered a second month." So said the New York Times on Monday.
Today, though, the story is a little different. Here's the Times' headline: Trump Seeks to Redefine ‘Regime Change’ in Iran War. The flip-flopping stars in the story: "Regime change has occurred in Iran. Or it hasn’t. It is a goal of the war. Except it isn’t. Those are some of the dizzying messages that have come from President Trump and his aides in recent days. The phrase 'regime change' has flown from lips this week like fighter jets crisscrossing the Persian Gulf" (March 31, 2026). Maybe it's time for some regime change here at home.
Let's end this report with some really good news. CNN Politics looks at the two special elections in Florida that took place on March 24 and finds that they "provided more evidence that the Democratic success in elections since Donald Trump’s return to the White House rests not just on a motivated base but also on winning over Republicans and independents." To get at the reasoning, I need to quote the piece at some length.
In both races, Gregory and Nathan overperformed 2024 presidential margins by an amount larger than the shift in partisan turnout.
That suggests that Democratic success was not just from turning out their base — some combination of registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters likely also broke toward the Democratic candidates. ...
When asked about the results in Senate District 14, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis responded Tuesday that the Republican loss despite an apparent GOP turnout advantage suggested both poor performance with independents and that 'Republicans are voting the other way.'
We have the wind at our backs. So do something good for your soul, your community and your country.
TAKE ACTION
5 Calls has you covered for a number of highly urgent matters. As always, the site provides information about each subject, contact numbers for the relevant officials, and a script you can use or modify. Here are two salient issues right now.
MoveOn has a petition asking senators to block the nomination of Casey Means, who is not a doctor, to the post of Surgeon General. Sign it.
EVENTS
Wednesday, April 1
Phone Bank with Ground Truth, 5:00 - 8:00pm CT
Virtual
Join Swing Left for a Ground Truth phone bank—designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone. Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're building community one phone call at a time, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time—training, materials, and support are all provided. Just come prepared with your phone and laptop or computer! Sign up.
Wisconsin Data Center Town Hall, 6:00 - 7:15pm
Virtual
Energy bills are rising across Wisconsin, and a new wave of massive data centers is being proposed that would make it worse. Some of these facilities use as much electricity as a mid-sized city. In fact, a single large data center can use more electricity than 100,000 homes. Many new data centers are being proposed in every corner of the state. We’re bringing people together to protect our pocketbooks from rising energy costs, protect our planet from increased pollution and fossil fuel expansion, and protect our people from harmful health impacts. Join us to understand what’s happening and take action for our communities. RSVP.
Saturday, April 4
Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
North Port Washington & Silver Spring, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.
Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th & North Ave, Wauwatosa
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.
Tuesday, April 7
How the Supreme Court Could Roll Back Voting Rights, 6:00 - 7:00pm
Virtual
Voting rights are under attack and a pending case before the U.S. Supreme Court, Callais v. Louisiana, could be one of the most consequential decisions for the future of our democracy. Join us to hear from Janai Nelson of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, who argued this case before the Court. Janai will break down what the case is about, why it matters so deeply for voting rights, and how it could reshape the protections established under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. She’ll explain how the Court could weaken legal safeguards on voting and what that would mean for fair representation and access to the ballot across the country. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from a lead attorney on the front lines of one of the most important voting rights cases of our time. See you there! Sign up.
Thursday, April 9
What You Need to Know: AI Data Centers in Your Community, 5:30 - 6:30 CT
Virtual
AI data centers are expanding rapidly across the country. While promising jobs and innovation, these data centers often move into cities with little public input. What do these massive facilities actually mean for your community? Join us to hear from the experts at AI Now to learn what AI data centers are, why they’re spreading so quickly, and the real environmental and financial impacts they can have locally. We’ll also share proven strategies communities are using to demand transparency, hold decision-makers accountable, and push back effectively. Whether a proposal is already on the table or still flying under the radar, you’ll leave ready to protect your community and take action before decisions are made for you. See you there! Sign up.
Friday, April 10
Hot Lunch Meal for MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary, 12:01 - 1:01
MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary, 2461 West Center Street, Milwaukee
This is one of Ozaukee Dems charitable efforts to help those in need. If you are interested in contributing to our Hot Lunch Meal on April 10, serving about 100 people from the MacCanon Brown community, please email Diane Holzman.
Saturday, April 11
Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
North Port Washington & Silver Spring, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.
Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th & North Ave, Wauwatosa
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.
Sunday, April 12
Phone Bank with Ground Truth, 1:00 - 4:00pm CT
Virtual
Join Swing Left for a Ground Truth phone bank—designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone. Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're building community one phone call at a time, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time—training, materials, and support are all provided. Just come prepared with your phone and laptop or computer! Sign up.
Wednesday, April 15
Phone Bank with Ground Truth, 5:00 - 8:00pm CT
Virtual
Join Swing Left for a Ground Truth phone bank—designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone. Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're building community one phone call at a time, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time—training, materials, and support are all provided. Just come prepared with your phone and laptop or computer! Sign up.
April Banned Book Club: Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza, 6:30 - 8:00pm CT
Virtual
Author Jo Piazza is joining our April Banned Book Club for a conversation about her novel, Everyone Is Lying to You. Her book pulls back the curtain on the lives of ‘trad wives,’ curated perfection, and the dark secrets behind seemingly perfect lives. We’ll discuss the trad wife movement in our country, who these women really are, and what’s driving the trend. Jo will also share why she wrote the book and how it challenges myths about modern femininity, domestic ideals, and the cost of living up to an image. Sign up.
Ozaukee Democrats Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
1245 Cheyenne Ave., #103, Grafton
Join us for our monthly meeting to get the latest updates on our fight to turn Ozaukee County blue and find out how you can help.
Save the Date
Saturday, April 18
Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
North Port Washington & Silver Spring, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.
Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th & North Ave, Wauwatosa
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.
Thursday, April 23
Meet and Greet with Kelda Roys, 6:30 – 8:30pm
3154 S Pine Ave, Milwaukee
You’re invited to a meet and greet in Bay View with Kelda Roys, candidate for governor of Wisconsin! Please use the link below for RSVP information, and share it with your network. We hope to see you there!
other important links
Become a Member of Grassroots North Shore 
|
Visit and Like us on Facebook!  |
Support Grassroots North Shore
|
Join us on BlueSky
|
Showing 1 reaction