In a project sponsored by Sawyer County
and LCO Democrats, volunteers picked up
over 14 bags of roadside litter along
County Highway B on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Led by Max Wolter, nine volunteers met
at the LCO Baseball Fields on CH B in the
morning and picked up litter along
about 3 miles of road—1.5 miles on each side.

People in a number of passing cars honked
their support of the effort. “We did this to
help our community and show that
Democrats care about our community,”
said Joan Cervenka, treasurer with
Sawyer County and LCO Democrats.

Nine volunteers helped with roadside cleanup.

Picture Us at the Cranberry Festival

Posted Oct. 14, 2024

The Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party showcased our state and local candidates through signs, literature, and conversations at the Cranberry Festival Oct. 5 in Stone Lake. And Jeanne Bruce, Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin 74th District Assembly seat, showed up to talk to voters in person at the festival.

Treasurer Joan Cervenka, Secretary Louise Ladenthin , and Vice Chair Al Flora represented the party at the event, with Joan and Louise staffing the booth, and Al driving a car adorned with signs for our Democratic candidates—including Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Tammy Baldwin, Kyle Kilbourn, and Jeanne. Also, our friendly Democratic donkey made an appearance at the festival, too.

Check out these photos from the event.

Scenes from the Cranberry Fest

Clockwise, from top left: Candidate Jeanne Bruce (in aqua sweatshirt) talks to Cranberry Festival attendees; our party booth at the festival; Louise Ladenthin at our party booth; car with Democratic signs participated in the festival parade; Al Flora drove the car in the parade; Veterans for Harris billboard at the festival; Joan Cervenka with the Democratic Donkey at the Cranberry Fest

Marching in the Exeland TroutFest Parade

September 5, 2024

Members and friends of the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party participated in the Exeland TroutFest Parade on September 1. Volunteers marched behind the party banner ahead of the a float featuring signs for Democratic candidates and the Democratic Donkey.

As noted earlier, the main goal in appearing in parades in Republican-dominated towns like Exeland is to show people that we Democrats are here and ready to talk when they are.

Scenes from the Exeland TroutFest Parade
Clockwise from top left, two young friends of the party carry our banner; the float with the Democratic Donkey and signs; volunteers Tom Vitcenda and Kay Winton (in vehicle) wave to the camera; Party Co-Chair Gayle Johnson waves from the backseat of the vehicle pulling the party float.

Quotes and Photos from Recent Rallies

Nov. 2, 2024

Local rallies, that is. The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians recently held two GOTV rallies in the Hayward area—one on Oct. 19 and one on Oct. 26.

Crowd at Oct. 19 rally at Reserve Elder Center

Crowd at Oct. 26 rally at New Post Historic Stone Building

Emcee Rick St. Germaine

Rick St. Germaine, Ph.D., LCO tribal elder and leader emceed both the Oct. 19 rally at the Reserve Elder Center and the Oct. 26 rally at the New Post Historic Building. About 60 people attended each rally (total of 120).

“The Supreme Court
has ruled that 753 tribal nations of the
United States are indeed sovereign nations.
That’s why it’s important for us to vote.”

“We have struggled for our own lands. . . We have struggled not only with poverty, we’ve struggled with housing—we haven’t gotten a fair break. So, we need to be vigilant now and vote.”

”We need to elect representatives that represent not only our tribe, but the 11 federally recognized tribes of Wisconsin.”

Rick St. Germaine emceed the Oct. 19 rally at the Reserve Elder Center.

“My vision for the 7th Congressional District has three parts:

Economically empower working families and community.

Celebrate our rural way of life—our community bonds, and our appreciation of nature.

Enable good governance for all.”

”Let’s elect leaders who believe in upholding our health care rights, including reproductive freedoms. Let’s elect leaders who will strengthen our rural communities’ access to resources. Not just during election year, with empty promises, like renaming a national park, or renaming post offices. Together, as a district, I know we can value people, place, and effective policy over politics.”

“Social Security is one of those issues we need to work on. One of the easiest ways to solve it is scrapping the cap. So right now, if you make over $168,000 a year, you stop paying into Social Security. So think of all the millionaires and billionaires who aren’t paying into Social Security. So, that is an easy solution. Everyone should be able to pay into Social Security as long as they make an income. That would make it solvent for many, many more years.”

“There’s a lot of tribes that are going through issues where their treaty rights are being ignored. Like Line 5, which they’re trying to re-route. And I think for me, we need to respect tribal rights in the treaties that we have. So for me, that will be part of what I bring to Congress is listening to what rights are being violated and making sure we’re bringing that to bear as we think about solutions.”

“At the federal level, I think we should definitely have anti-gouging laws so if there is an emergency, if there are unexpected circumstances—natural disasters, pandemics—we should definitely have anti-gouging measures in place. And we’ve seen that the largest companies have been raking in profits. I definitely believe in a free market; I used to work for two Fortune 500 companies. So I’m not against companies, but I do think we need to control them.”

“We need to have a free market, and when there are these large monopolies, there isn’t that free market. And when there are duopolies where two companies control the market, that is not a healthy market condition. And the government has to step in and make sure there’s fairness in the market. How we write the law will really depend on if I support that. But I think for emergency situations—pandemics, things like that, definitely we need to have protections in place.”

“We are a nation of immigrants. My grandparents came from a different country. We need to have a fair and legal process. So of course we need a strong border. We need to make sure it’s an orderly process that we know who’s coming in and respect that.

“But we also need immigrants to work on farms, we need immigrants to do jobs that other people might not want to do yet. We depend on immigrants, so we need to make sure the system is fair. . . Part of the problem is we don’t have enough funding for the federal court system to vet the people. So that is one of the big issues that needs to be tackled.

“Unfortunately, it’s not going to be solved overnight, although it almost was with the bipartisan bill that did come out, which would have solved a lot of the problems. It’s been going on for decades now. We’ve talked about the Dreamers, from 1990. We still have not solved that problem. We need leadership that is going to step up and work across the aisle and get things done. And I’m willing to do that.”

Kyle Kilbourn, Democratic candidate for the 7th CD seat in the U.S. House

Kyle Kilbourn addressed the Oct. 19 GOTV rally.

Tribal leader Michelle Beaudin asked candidates about their positions on tribal treaty rights.

Jeanne Bruce, Democratic candidate for the 74th District seat in the Wisconsin Assembly

“If you’ve seen America, I think most people believe we’re headed in the wrong direction, and I’m pretty much of that ilk. I see us having three big problems:

Number 1—securing the Southern Border. Over 10 million people have come in illegally. We see the fentanyl that has come into America, largely because of open borders.

Number 2: It’s the inflation that is eating up budgets. It’s the family budget or the tribal community’s budget. Inflation is eating up budgets.

Number 3: Weakness leads to war. . .Four years ago countries were signing or exchanging peace treaties in the Middle East. . . . Now rather than exchanging peace treaties, they’re exchanging missiles. . . We’ve seen what’s happening in Ukraine with the continuing war there. Taiwan is threatened by its neighbor, communist China. We’ve seen greater instability as a result of what really is a weak foreign policy. We really need a strong America on the foreign stage.”

Audience responses

“The first thing you said is that we’re headed in the wrong direction. You mentioned fentanyl. Fentanyl deaths are down 20 percent. That’s a pretty good percentage. I think you’re exaggerating problems. You say 13,000 murderers are coming across the border. That’s less than the population of Sawyer County. You talk about signing peace treaties in the Middle East, which they were, and that’s a good thing. But the prime minister [Netanyahu] was not on board with that because that meant he’d end up going to court under indictment. So these are not really good answers. One more: Inflation was 9 percent, but now it’s down to 2 percent—and that seems to be the right direction to me.”

“I’d like to know why you didn’t let the [Lankford] border bill advance in the House. I believe that government works when people compromise. What I see happening with the House is you want perfect. Or you want your way. That bill would have really helped beef up the Border Patrol, the staff needed to handle all these cases. It would have helped, so why did you not support that?”

Tiffany’s response on border bill

“I did not support Sen. Lankford’s bill [because] it would have allowed nearly 2 million people to come into our country illegally. . . .It was 5,000 a day.. [EDITOR’S NOTE: See following fact check.} They would have fast tracked people in the asylum process. So they would be able to get green cards, citizenship, so there would not be a thorough review of asylum like we had previously with remain in Mexico. Some of the pundits are saying you guys did not support this because Donald Trump told you not to. That is incorrect. I did not need Donald Trump to tell me that was a bad bill. All I did was read it, and that’s why I didn’t support it.”

Fact checking Tiffany’s border bill numbers

No, the Senate immigration bill does not allow 5,000 people to illegally enter the U.S. daily | PolitFact

Another audience member’s response

“These are our people here, and every time I come to these rallies, I hear about the border, I hear about the vote, but nothing local. You represent one of the largest districts in the state. What I haven’t heard today is what are you going to do to help people in this room, because unlike the president—people in this room elect you directly. . . What are you doing to address the specific issues that this tribe is having, the community is having? Our roads, our economy. How do we grow our economy in this area? There’s no businesses here. There’s no economic development. The border is not going to change that. All these national issues you’re talking about are not going to get us there. How do we grow this community?”

Tiffany’s response on local issues

“The number one thing we do is make sure we’re doing outstanding constituent service. We returned over $8 million to the people of the 7th Congressional District who have concerns—getting their veterans’ benefits. They have problems with the IRS, various agencies. We make sure we take care of those people who have concerns, Secondly, concerning [getting funds to the tribe], I want to see the specifics of that, and I would be happy to act on it if we are seeing that the appropriate amount of money is not being allocated to this tribe. I’m going to have to go back to the Bureau of Indian Affairs because they’re the conduit, and we are perfectly willing to act on it.

Tribal member’s comment

“Overall the tribal nations have put forward their needs, the president has put in his request for tribes, and Congress has shut it down. The Senate has shut it down.”

Tiffany’s response to tribal member comment

“Sounds like we need a new Senate then.”

Tiffany’s further response

“You can diminish me talking about inflation and the impact it’s having on America, but the reason we have to deal with inflation is because of right here. With families. With the tribal entity that is right here. When they’re paying more for energy than they need to. That is going to reduce the amount of money that can go to education, to health care because they’re going to have to spend it on something else. It’s why we must get back to energy independence and abundant, affordable, low-cost energy because then more money is available for education, housing and all those other things. I would say it has the greatest direct impact on local people—is dealing with that issue of inflation.” EDITOR’S NOTE: Explore the following fact checks on Tiffany’s remarks.

Fact checking Tiffany on inflation, etc.

Fact-checking Donald Trump on the scale and causes of inflation under Biden, Harris | PolitiFact

No, 'basics' do not cost $11,000 a year more than they did 18 months ago | Fact check

Gas prices are plummeting. Experts explain why|ABC News.

Harris said, "Today, America has record energy production and we are energy independent." We rate the statement mostly true | PolitiFact

“My philosophy about life and politics is much the same thing. Sometimes life is hard, and people struggle. And if I can help you, I will. It’s as simple as that.”

“I have absolute respect for your tribal sovereignty. I would always work to honor and support your land rights, your tribal membership rights, and all the rights enshrined in the treaties.”

“It’s so clear to me and so maddening that in the 21st century that government at state and federal levels are not honoring sovereign rights. One of the more visible and local issues is with the Enbridge pipeline. Certainly an oil spill from that pipeline is going to flow downhill and it’s going cause damage to 100s of miles of land and water that goes all the way to Lake Superior.”

“I believe the only real mitigation is to turn the dang thing off. But the relocation of it, it’s like if you have a leak in your hose and you just move it to your neighbor’s yard, it’s not going to help anything.”

“The underlying issue is that the state and federal governments have to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities to honor your treaty rights and help protect tribal land.”

“I do love northern Wisconsin. But living here is not always easy. And one of the things that I have concerns about is our rural health system. . .In Spooner, you have to travel 80 miles to have a baby delivered. I feel like we’re going backwards. There’s a lot of issues with rural health care. There’s a shortage of providers from CNAs, to surgeons…so we have a shortage of medical professionals all the way up the line.”

“How are you folks going to staff expanded health services? Will you have enough people? A lot of people still can’t afford medical insurance. Can’t afford medical care. And there are too few facilities to care for the elderly. And there aren’t enough people to staff them. and there’s a severe shortage of mental health and substance abuse services. So how and what do we do about all these problems?”

“Again, I’m not going to pretend I know all the answers, but there are two things that could happen pretty quickly at the state Legislature and it would make a big difference:

“One, they could accept the Medicaid expansion that’s part of the Affordable Care Act. They’ve turned it down for nine years, which means that there’s about $2.1 billion that didn’t come to Wisconsin that we could’ve used—maybe 90,000 more people could’ve had health insurance.” (Wisconsin is one of 10 states that didn’t take the money.)

“Their reasoning was, maybe it won’t be around forever. OK, well what’s around forever, nothing except the fact that people need health care. So 10 years later, the Republican-controlled legislature is still refusing to accept this money. And this is money that we’ve already paid for. This isn’t new and we’ll have to pay taxes. It’s already been taxed and distributed and put in the budget. So that would be the first thing.”

“The second thing is that we could raise the Medicaid reimbursement rate, so for hospitals, clinics, specialists and so on, so that providers can be fairly and reasonably reimbursed for the services they provide. Now this would’ve done a lot, I believe, to prevent the two hospitals that closed in Eau Claire that closed two years ago. Those non-profit hospitals just cannot compete with the big guys anymore. This funding would help keep our system going.”

“And when other states have done those two things, they saw improved outcomes for patients, decreased costs, and an increase in providers.”

“I want to talk about something near and dear to my heart: taking care of the environment—land, air, and water. And I know that’s near and dear to your hearts, too. There is no other planet. There is no Plan B. This is it, folks.”

“It’s vital that we clean up what we messed up now and not do it again. We need to take some steps now to clean up our contaminated groundwater and protect our water sources from future contamination. We have to clean up the PFAS—those forever chemicals. And try not to pump them back in.”

“And property owners affected by those chemicals need more help. We need to protect the waterways from invasive species. And pumping water out of the aquifer and selling it in those dang plastic bottles, which then go back into the landfill, and cause more contamination, and then we have to figure out how to get rid of it.”

“Another part of being good stewards of our environment—we need to restore the non-partisan, non-political nature of our Department of Natural Resources. And we need to restore the funding that was taken away during our good old friend Scott Walker’s reign. Years of funding cuts have just decimated the scientists and enforcement personnel. So it’s pretty hard to control invasive species or see how the deer and wolves are doing without biologists or enforcement personnel.”

“And I really do believe that the only way to protect our environment is to base it on science.”

“My work for the legislature, for you, will always be guided by your voices—your tribal government and Ojibwe people. My job is to listen and learn and support you, and I would be honored to walk beside you.”

Jeanne Bruce addresses attendees at the Oct. 19 rally.

Tom Tiffany, incumbent, Republican candidate for 7th CD seat in the U.S. House

Tom Tiffany addresses the Oct. 19 GOTV rally.

Barb Czarnecki of the League of Women Voters staffed a table at both rallies. She reminded attendees to vote no on proposed constitutional amendment.

Robert Schuck, independent write-in candidate for Sawyer County clerk, addressed the Oct. 19 rally. Learn more about Robert.

Getting Out the Vote and Rallying for Harris and Walz

August 24, 2024

Sawyer County and LCO Democrats and their supporters have been busy working this month to get out the vote in three ways:

· Marching in the Radisson Harvest Fest parade;

· Canvassing in Hayward area; and

· Writing postcards to county residents under 50.

Marching in Radisson Harvest Fest Parade

Eight volunteers accompanied the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic party float in the Harvest Fest parade on Sunday, August 11. The float featured the party’s newly acquired Democratic Donkey balloon—a friendly looking fellow.

Organized by party Secretary Louise Ladenthin, volunteers carried the party banner ahead of the float and handed out candy to kids along the route. Two volunteers drove vehicles with candidate and “Vote for Democrats—They vote for us” signs.

Marchers received a few bursts of applause, which counts as a win in a Republican-dominated town. “The main goal of appearing in these community parades is to show people that we Democrats are here and ready to talk when they are,” said party treasurer Joan Cervenka.

Doorknocking in Hayward Area

Seven volunteers came out the weekend of August 10-11 to canvass voters in Hayward and Bass Lake Township. The main objective of this door-knocking effort was to get out the vote for the August 13 primary and spread the word about voting “no” on the two constitutional amendment questions on the ballot.

Canvassers worked from lists of past Democratic voters in an effort to
get the base of supporters to the polls. Party vice chair and organizer
Mary Vitcenda said she also interacted with a number of Republican
supporters. “As excited as I am about prospects for the Harris-Walz
ticket, my experience door knocking confirmed polls that this is still
a close race,” she said. “We can’t be complacent. We need to talk to
as many voters as we can.”

The county party will be organizing more canvassing and phone
banking efforts this fall. Watch for details on our Volunteer page.

Writing Postcards

About 200 Sawyer County residents will get postcards in the mail this October urging them to vote for Democrats in the November general election. They will receive those cards thanks to the efforts of 13 volunteers who gathered at the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party office on Sunday, August 18.

Postcard messages urged recipients to vote for Kyle Kilbourn in the race for the 7th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and for Jeanne Bruce for the 74th District State Assembly seat.

Voters under 50 were targeted in this postcard-writing campaign because of the importance of getting younger voters to the polls, said organizer Joan Cervenka. “Appealing to voters however we can is so important in this election,” she said.

Rallying for Harris and Walz

Two party officers, secretary Louise Ladenthin and vice chair Jim Bootz, braved heat and long lines to see Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris hold her second rally with vice presidential nominee Tim Walz in Eau Claire on August 7.

Here’s Louise’s beautiful account of her participation in the Eau Claire rally:

“I attended with some family. I wanted
to take part in the joy and mark a
historical moment for our country,
our freedom, our democracy—but
especially for women.

“So I packed my car with a picnic,
snacks and four of my great
granddaughters!

“I met a niece and my oldest
granddaughter there. That makes
four generations of one family—
women--to celebrate with joy the
new beginning of democracy’s
healing days!”

Scenes from the Radisson Harvest Fest parade: Clockwise, from top left—Marchers Tom Vitcenda with sign made by party vice chair Al Flora and Joan Cervenka with another sign made by Al; rear of float with “Vote for Democrats” sign; Tom with the Democratic Donkey balloon. Not pictured: Nancy McDowell, Winter, joined two of party secretary Louise Ladenthin’s great grandchildren carrying the party banner at the parade, while Al and party co-chair Gayle Johnson distributed candy to kids from vehicles.

Leslie Ramczyk helped write GOTV postcards at the party office on August 18.

CheqDems members Ellen Lafans, left, and Chris Groebner, lent a hand doorknocking in Hayward on August 11. Thank you Ellen and Chris!

Louise Ladenthin and her family gathered before the Harris-Walz rally in Eau Claire. Back row, from left, Mary Kuennan, Milwaukee, and Louise (in AFSCME green!), Ojibwa. Center row, from left, Blaise, Couderay, and Erica Ladenthin, Chippewa Falls. Front row, from left, Aurora and Luna, Hayward, and Bella, Couderay.

‘Heart of the 7th CD’ Gathering Showcases Democratic Candidates…and More

August 19, 2024

The weather was glorious, and so were speakers at the Heart of the 7th CD Candidate Forum and Picnic held Saturday, August 3, at Ojibwa Park in Sawyer County. Nearly 125 people attended the event, sponsored by the Sawyer County
and LCO Democratic Party and Wisconsin 7th District
Democrats.

Democratic candidates appearing at the event were Kyle
Kilbourn, Jeanne Bruce, Richard Pulcher, Andi Rich, Jeff Foster,
and Susan Crawford. They outlined their plans and vision for a
brighter future for residents in the 7th CD and throughout
Wisconsin. Other esteemed speakers included Rick
St. Germaine, Ph.D., Paul DeMain, and Janet Bewley.

Dr. St. Germaine, co-chair of the Sawyer County and LCO
Democratic Party, welcomed visitors, noting the high stakes
of the 2024 election and the excitement generated by Vice
President Kamala Harris’s campaign for President. Harris, who only declared her candidacy after President Biden ended his campaign on July 21, has boosted Democrats’ standings in polls on the presidential race. And she recently received enough delegate votes to officially receive the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Nancy Stencil, chair of the 7th Congressional District (CD) Democrats, emceed the event, while John Adler entertained the group with rustic songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Guests also feasted on brats and a bountiful array of potluck dishes in a picnic lunch organized by Gayle Johnson, co-chair of the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party.

Candidate Speakers

Kyle Kilbourn, candidate for 7th CD seat in U.S. House of Representatives

UPDATED August 14, 2024: Kilbourn won the primary. With more than 95 percent of votes counted, he had received 58.1 percent of the vote, versus 41.9 percent for Duranceau.

Kilbourn kicked off the candidates’ speeches, noting he has put
in about 6,000 miles visiting all 26 counties in the district. Kilbourn,
who lives in the town of Woodboro in Oneida County, will face
Elsa Duranceau of Merrill in the August 13 Democratic primary. The
winner of that primary will challenge incumbent MAGA Republican
Tom Tiffany in the November election for the 7th CD Congressional
seat. (Duranceau had hoped to attend the picnic but alerted
Stencil on Saturday that she could not attend after all.)

Kilbourn emphasized his commitment to three principles:

Empowering families and communities,
Championing rural quality of life, and
Governing effectively for all.

“We need to strengthen rural communities’ access to services,
including affordable health care, child care, and housing,”
Kilbourn said. He also echoed his campaign ad saying that
“It’s time government works for those working the hardest, and
nobody works harder than rural Wisconsinites.”

For more information: Kyle Kilbourn for Congress

Jeanne Bruce, candidate for 74th District Wisconsin Assembly seat

A native of Spooner, Bruce said her mother had MS and received help raising four children when her father, who worked for the railroad, died when they were young. “We got help from my father’s young. “We got help from my father’s railroad pension, which made me realize that anything can happen to you at any time. I believe government is at its best when it helps us at our worst,” she said.

Bruce named four priorities she would bring to the Assembly:

Protecting clean water and the environment through such means as increased funding for cleaning up PFAS pollution and for operating the Department of Natural Resources. “I don’t know how you get environmental security without someone to police it,” she noted.
Restructuring our health care system, including accepting Medicaid funding. Wisconsin legislators’ failure to accept expanded Medicaid money is one reason for recent hospital and clinic closings in Eau Claire and northwestern Wisconsin. She also stressed the importance of attracting and keeping medical professionals in rural areas.·
Creating and keeping sustainable jobs in northern Wisconsin. There are probably never going to be giant factories up here, but besides attracting and keeping health care jobs, we can create good-paying small business jobs and jobs in areas like tourism, she said.
Rebuilding our public education system, which has been damaged by Republicans’ support of vouchers and other tactics. “Republicans have stripped funding from our public schools, disrespected our teachers, and broken teachers’ unions,” Bruce said. “That must end
For more information: Elect Jeanne Bruce Facebook page

Jeanne Bruce speaks at the Heart of the 7th CD gathering

Andi Rich speaks at the Heart of the 7th CD gathering.

Jeff Foster, candidate for 67th Wisconsin Assembly seat

Foster said his platform is based on the “rural values of freedom, family, and community.” His priorities are:

Rural healthcare, including Medicaid expansion that
would provide federal funds for compassionate care
for income-eligible individuals and support rural
community healthcare systems.
Family security, including support for paid family
medical leave and adequate funding for public schools.
Strong communities, including housing affordability,
environmental sustainability, and more.

Foster, whose district includes all of Barron County and the
cities within, said he’s running because he:·

Doesn’t want the incumbent Republican to go
unopposed;
Wants the issues to be discussed; and
Wants to win.

For more information: Jeff Foster

Susan Crawford, Candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford says she’s running for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court to “keep our communities safe and protect the rights and freedoms of Wisconsinites. Those rights are threatened by an all-out effort to politicize the court to drive a right-wing agenda. Wisconsin deserves better.” The nonpartisan Supreme Court election is set for April 1, 2025.

A native of Chippewa Falls, Judge Crawford began her career as an assistant attorney general. After serving as a prosecutor for nearly
a decade, she served as chief legal counsel to
the governor. In private practice, she protected
voting and workers’ rights, and represented

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to defend
access to reproductive health care. She’s been
a county circuit court judge since 2018.

At the Ojibwa Park event, Crawford said her
opponent, Brad Schimel, “wants to return the
court to the days when it had a right-wing,
partisan agenda.” Schimel served as attorney
general from 2015 to 2019. He was defeated
seeking re-election in 2018 and was subsequently
appointed a circuit court judge in Waukesha
County by then Republican Governor Scott Walker.

Crawford said that Schimmel believes abortion should be criminalized and has defended Walker’s attacks on workers. Furthermore, she said, Schimel has continued to be a partisan politician. “He has headlined Republican fundraisers,” Crawford said. “He’s gone to Trump rallies and made public statements that Trump deserves four more years. That doesn’t sound too nonpartisan to me. Judges are supposed to be nonpartisan.”

Crawford closed by saying, “Tell your family, your friends, your neighbors about this race. Then come November, we can all take a little breather. But then we gotta rally. We gotta get back out there. Knock on those doors. Make those phone calls. Let people know that Susan Crawford is the right person to vote for.”

For more information: Susan Crawford for Justice

Paul DeMain speaks at the Heart of the 7th CD gathering.

Janet Bewley addresses the Heart of the 7th CD gathering.

Nearly 125 people attended the Heart of the 7th CD Gathering.

Richard Pulcher, candidate for 68th District Wisconsin Assembly seat

Pulcher—whose district includes all of Price and Rusk counties, as well as most of Chippewa and Taylor counties—outlined his set of beliefs,
saying “I believe:

In the rule of law, and that no one is above the law;
In community and protecting the earth’s abundance;
That government should protect our property;
That government should protect the weak;
That as we walk through life, we should walk softly.

Pulcher also listed his priorities as support for:

Local, “homegrown” businesses.
Women’s health care;
Public education, including an end to vouchers
Separation of church and state, including ending any
moves toward a “state-sponsored church.”

For more information: Richard Pulcher

Andi Rich, candidate for 12th District Wisconsin Senate seat

Kyle Kilbourn addresses the Heart of the 7th CD gathering.

Richard Pulcher addresses the Heart of the 7th CD gathering.

Citing her love of the outdoors, Rich said she has a passion for protecting the environment and preserving the natural resources she cherishes. She also said she strongly believes in holding both governments and corporations accountable for their actions.

Rich outlined her work to empower farmers in the Marinette-Peshtigo area to make changes necessary to reduce cancer-causing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in crops, meat, and dairy products. She said she also works with farmers and others to provide options for generating income while these needed changes are taking place.

“I’m running because we need legislators who care more about human health and safety than corporate profits,” she said.

For more information: Citizens for Andi Rich

Jeff Foster

Susan Crawford addresses the Heart of the 7th CD gathering

Other Esteemed Speakers

Paul DeMain, environmental activist and member of the Oneida Nation

DeMain cited the need for Democrats to persuade young women, who suffer the most from the weak safety net supported by MAGA Republicans, to vote for Democrats.

“It comes down to a simple question of the rights of women in society, and the biggest bloc of non-voters is young women between the ages of 18 and 25, who are worried about children, who are worried about education, who are worried about job opportunities, who are worried about health care,” DeMain said.

A weak or non-existent safety net “impacts that young crowd the most, and yet they’re less likely to vote,” DeMain added. “We need to get out and recruit them, because for them Harris administration policies are going to be better.”

DeMain closed by saying, “I think for the United States of America to elect its first woman president, someone who’s of a mixed, diverse culture and background, like many of us are and more of our families are becoming, is something that this country will do—and it will be positive for all of us. It gives me hope for our future, for our children. Migwech.”

DeMain opened by saying, “I have never been more excited in a long time than to be here today and to be part of the energy that has unfolded here in the last couple of weeks. . . When I look at the number of women who came up here and talked about our resources and the environment and clean water, maybe they’re picking up on the indigenous philosophy.”

DeMain said he is supporting Kamala Harris for president, adding that he believes a Harris administration will:

Protect the environment.

Support education and proper funding of public schools.
Protect the right to vote—and to unionize.
Support a better health care system, including women’s right to reproductive health.
Make sound decisions on foreign policy.

Janet Bewley, former Democratic minority leader, Wisconsin State Senate

Bewley was a member of the Wisconsin Senate from 2015 through 2023, and previously served four years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Iron, Ashland, Bayfield, and Price counties. The Wisconsin Senate Democratic Caucus chose Bewley as their new leader in April 2020.

In closing, Bewley said, “We’ve been given an opportunity of new districts in our state. We have been given an opportunity of a Supreme Court seat. We have been given the opportunity of Kamala Harris as president of the United States. It is on a plate in front of us. Now is the time.”

Bewley was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 2010, the same year former Republican Governor Scott Walker was elected. “I expected a Democratic trifecta and it didn’t happen,” she said.

“But I will tell you I have learned more serving in the minority than I could’ve expected—ever,” she continued. “Because no matter how the dice roll out, you have a job to do. You have to get things done, and I worked very, very hard to take advantage of any leverage we could possibly get as minority leader, or as a minority representative, to get things done for northern Wisconsin.”

Bewley urged attendees to talk to their neighbors about issues that concern them. “You need to take the next step and say, I want to know more about how you feel. I want to understand why you’re going in that direction. Because then, advantage: Democrats. Because we can tell the rest of the story.”

Democratic Tent Gets Thumbs Up from Pow Wow Visitors

July 28, 2024

Volunteers staffing the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party tent at this year’s Honor the Earth Pow Wow reported a positive response from numerous visitors over the three days of the event, held Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21 on Pow Wow Grounds near Hayward.

“A good number of visitors picked up
signs for Democratic candidates, and
even people who didn’t stop gave a
thumbs up as they passed by,” said
one volunteer. Expressions of support
occurred both before and after
President Biden announced
suspension of his campaign and
endorsed Vice President Kamala
Harris for president on Sunday
afternoon.

Visitors to the tent included
Kyle Kilbourn, Democratic candidate
for the 7th District U.S. House seat now
held by MAGA Republican Tom Tiffany.
Jeanne Rand Bruce, Democratic
candidate for the newly drawn 74th
District Wisconsin Assembly seat now
held by Republican Chanz Green, also
stopped by. At the request of Party
Co-Chair and distinguished LCO
Tribal Elder Rick St. Germaine, Bruce
briefly addressed Pow Wow guests
in the main arena.

Some 400 dancers registered for the 51st anniversary Pow Wow, billed as a homecoming for tribal members and friends. Not surprisingly, a number of visitors to the party tent were former LCO residents who now live elsewhere. But they promised to vote blue wherever they lived.

Congressional candidate Kyle Kilbourn, left, stopped by the Sawyer County and LCO Democrats’ tent at the Pow Wow. Party Secretary Louise Ladenthin, center; unidentified visitor, right. ANYBODY KNOW HIM? Email sc.lco.dems@gmail.com.

LEFT: State Assembly candidate Jeanne Bruce poses with environmental activist Paul DeMain at the party’s Pow Wow tent.

Some 400 dancers signed up to participate in this year’s Pow Wow.

Volunteer Nancy McDowell, left, chats with a visitor to the party tent.

Volunteers at the party tent included party members Tom Vitcenda, right, Jim Bootz, center, and Louise Ladenthin, left. Sue Hudson, a friend of the party, stands between Tom and Jim. Other volunteers at the tent included Joan Cervenka and Mary Vitcenda.

Left, Louise Ladenthin on the phone at the party tent.

Marchers Well Received by Crowds at Musky Fest Parade

June 25, 2024

The sun shone brightly on volunteers with the Sawyer County and Lac Courte Oreilles Democratic Party as they marched alongside a beautiful, eye-catching float in the 2024 Musky Fest Grand Parade in Hayward on Sunday, June 23. Volunteers, including Democratic candidate Jeanne Bruce, carried candidate signs and passed out fans and fruit snacks to the crowds who thronged the streets. Jeanne is running for the newly drawn 74th Assembly District seat.

Friends and party members who joined the march said they received a warm reception from most onlookers. Bursts of applause occurred from some groups along the route.

“It was a fun and rewarding experience,” said one volunteer. “I’m proud to be part of this event, supporting candidates I believe in,” said another.

The float will next be featured in the July Jubilee Parade on July 4 in Winter. We invite you to volunteer to march with home town hero and retired astronaut Jeff Williams who will be the grand marshal in the parade.

Here are some photos from the big day in Hayward. Also, see Jeanne’s statement on our Election Info page (scroll down on that page).

Jeanne Bruce, Assembly candidate for the newly drawn 74th district, poses with volunteers from her hometown of Spooner before the parade.

Left, Jeanne Bruce chats with guests at her meet-and-greet in Cable. Above, guests gather outside for the meet-and-greet sponsored by CheqDems.

Top left: Party co-chairs Gayle Johnson and Rick St. Germaine staffed the truck that hauled the float in the Musky Fest parade. Right: The Democratic donkey was center stage on the float.

Marchers on the march.

Photo: Uday Mittal, Unsplash

Candidate Jeanne Bruce Addresses Area Dems and Friends

July 18, 2024

About 55 Democratic Party member and friends were on hand July 14 in Cable when Jeanne Rand Bruce, Democratic candidate for the recently redrawn 74th Assembly District, addressed a meet-and-greet sponsored by the Chequamegon Democrats. Sawyer County is in the newly drawn district.

Jeanne is a Spooner native with extensive experience in non-profit development and fundraising. She comes from a civic-minded family and has been involved in local politics her entire life. Her family has experienced personal issues with health care coverage and disabilities,which motivated her to run for office, she said.

Jeanne noted she is tired of the divisiveness of Wisconsin politics and governing and that, if elected, she will work across the aisle for progressive policies for the people in our state. She said she would like to bring balance back to the state legislature, emphasizing compromise and understanding issues broadly.

The candidate also emphasized the importance of representing northern Wisconsin issues in Madison. Her top issues of concern include healthcare and education. Specifically, she said she supports public schools, affordable healthcare, and freedom for women to make their own reproductive choices.

The need for policies that build our communities and that support clean water, good roads, and fairness in taxation were also among the many issues she highlighted.

Louise Ladenthin, Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party Secretary, attended the event and thanked the CheqDems for their hospitality. She also invited everyone to the Heart of the North 7th Congressional District Picnic and Candidate Meet and Greet set for 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, August 3, at Ojibwa State Park on Highway 70 near Winter.

More information about Jeanne (scroll down for Jeanne’s statement)

Donate to Jeanne for Assembly

More information about the August 3 event

Jeanne Bruce addresses attendees at the CheqDems’ meet-and-greet in Cable.

Sawyer County LCO Democrats March in Winter July 4th Parade

Report and some commentary by Mary Vitcenda
Vice Chair, Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party

July 5, 2024

The July Jubilee Parade drew bigger crowds than usual in Winter on Independence Day—resulting in a bigger-than-usual audience as the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party float and marchers passed by.

Party members and friends walking with the float passed out fruit treats and fans, which again proved immensely popular with onlookers. The reception was polite, with occasional—and gratifying—outbursts of enthusiastic applause for Democratic signs and messages. One young woman proudly showed marchers her T shirt, which said: “Women’s Rights—Reproductive Rights.”

I think it’s important to make our presence known in rural, northwestern Wisconsin in this critical election year, and we accomplish that by participating in local parades like the one in Winter. Of course, I wish we would be greeted by loud, cheering throngs, but until that day comes, I’m happy to know we do have supporters in this neck of the woods. And I’m happy to show Republican officeholders that we’re here. We’re among their constituents, and they should listen to us.

Members and friends of the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party gathered after the July 4th parade in Winter.

Report from the Democratic Party State Convention: ‘Inspiring!’

June 28, 2024

“Fighting for Our Freedoms” was the theme of the 2024 Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Convention June 8-9 in Milwaukee, and two officers of the Sawyer County and Lac Courte Oreilles Democratic Party were there for the activities: Co-Chair Gayle Johnson and Secretary Louise Ladenthin.

“I found it all inspiring,” Louise said, praising Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW) as one of the most galvanizing speakers. “He is a hustler—in a good sense!” she said, citing Wikler’s remarks that “Wisconsin is once again the tipping point state.”

“As Democrats, we’re fighting for the freedom to make our own
health care decisions, without politicians threatening to jail our
doctors,” Wikler told convention goers. “The freedom to choose our
leaders, without MAGA extremists overturning election results. The
freedom to learn, in safety; to organize in our workplaces; and to
retire with dignity.”

“As Democrats, we’re fighting for the freedom to make our own health
care decisions, without politicians threatening to jail our doctors,”
Wikler told convention goers. “The freedom to choose our leaders,
without MAGA extremists overturning election results. The freedom to learn, in safety; to organize in our workplaces; and to retire with dignity.”

“As Democrats, we’re fighting for the freedom to make our own health care decisions, without politicians threatening to jail our doctors,” Wikler told convention goers. “The freedom to choose our leaders, without MAGA extremists overturning election results. The freedom to learn, in safety; to organize in our workplaces; and to retire with dignity.”

Other speakers included incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, who’s seeking a third term; Democratic National Chairman Jaime Harrison; Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who gave the keynote speech.

Gov. Tony Evers also addressed the group Saturday night, June 8. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Evers brought down the house with a “pithy description” of what his party has achieved in Madison: “Democrats are getting shit done and delivering for Wisconsin.”

Sawyer County LCO Democratic
Party Chair Gayle Johnson at the
DPW State Convention.

For more information about the convention see the following:

· Five takeaways from the state Democratic convention in Milwaukee—June 9, 2024 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
· WisDems Chair Ben Wikler Addresses 2024 State Convention—June 8, 2024 DPW press release

Delegation to National Convention Announced

The DPW finalized its full delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention to be held August 19-22 in Chicago. Delegates also elected DPW Chair Wikler as delegation chair. The delegation includes five district-level delegates to the national convention elected at the second-tier caucus held in mid-May in Hudson.

The five elected from the 7th District to go to Chicago were Kim Butler of Polk County, secretary of the DPW Administrative Committee; Kate Haga of Superior, a member of the Douglas County Democratic Party; John Krizek of St. Croix County; Edward O’Neill of Chippewa County; and Kelly Westlund of Ashland, former Northwest regional representative for Tammy Baldwin and 2022 candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate. For a list of the full delegation, see the June 9 DPW press release.

New Office, New Candidate Unveiled

June 12, 2024
It was a crowded scene when the Sawyer County and Lac Courte Oreilles Democratic Party launched a new office in downtown Hayward on May 28. Among the guests who packed the office was Jeanne Rand Bruce, who announced her candidacy for the redrawn 74th Wisconsin State Assembly District.

Party officers, members and friends from Sawyer and surrounding counties signed nomination papers for her and enthusiastically welcomed Bruce to the race.

Jeanne Rand Bruce, left, candidate for the new 74th District Assembly seat, joins Joan Cervenka, treasurer with Sawyer County LCO Democrats, in opening the party’s new office in downtown Hayward.

“I’m really excited about the prospect of restoring some balance to the Legislature," Bruce told guests. It's also time “to restore progressive values to the Legislature,” she said. “I’m just so tired of the narrow-minded, short-sighted policies that are thrust on us because of our gerrymandered districts. And I’m really tired of the meanness and the nonsense that we’re supposed to believe. I’m done!”

“No, you’ve just begun!” one guest shouted to the applause of all attendees.

Besides all of Sawyer County, the new 74th Assembly district encompasses all of Iron and Washburn counties, as well as portions of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, and Vilas counties.

New Candidate from Spooner

A Democrat from Spooner, Bruce recently retired after a 30-year career in program and fund development in business, government and the non-profit sector.

Her legislative experience includes serving on the Washburn County Board of Supervisors and working as a Constituent Services aide to former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin). Learn more about Jeanne on the Election Info page of the Sawyer County LCO Democrats’ website.

Jeanne Rand Bruce

The office, located at 15842 West Second Street, Hayward 54843, will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays during the summer. Party officials expect to extend those hours and hold a more formal grand opening for the new office later this summer.

You’re invited to drop by the new office to chat with volunteers and pick up literature and signs for Democratic candidates. Party members and friends of Democrats will answer your questions about candidates and voting.

Tiffany’s Hearing Was Educational, but Not the Whole Story

And Loaded with Dog Whistles

Commentary
By Mary Vitcenda, Vice Chair
Sawyer County LCO Democrats

May 15, 2024

I considered posting a longer commentary on Tom Tiffany’s field hearing on federal land management held Monday, May 13 in Hayward. But then I decided it’s better to post something shorter—and let you listen to a recording of the session and decide for yourself what to make of it (see link below). I attended the hearing, along with two other Sawyer County LCO members.

Some background

The hearing was held by the Federal Lands Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R), 7th Congressional District of Wisconsin. It has eight Republican members. Unlike the full Natural Resources Committee, there are no Democrats in the group.

While the hearing was open to the general public, it was not a town hall or listening session. It was not open to questions from the audience. A key purpose was to get participants’ comments in the Congressional Record.

The only people speaking during this hearing were pre-approved by the subcommittee. Besides Tiffany, those providing testimony included subcommittee members U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R) of Minnesota and U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R) of Georgia. Others testifying were: Wisconsin State Senator Rob Stafsholt (R-District 10); Henry Schienebeck with the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association; Thomas Dougherty, Voyageur Country Houseboat Operators Association in International Falls, Minn.; Luke Hilgemann with the International Order of T. Roosevelt; and Duane Taylor with the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association.

All speakers supported the subcommittee’s premise that federal management of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest was wrongly restricting access to roads within the forest used by hunters, fishermen, loggers, and operators of outdoor recreation businesses. Access to federal lands throughout the country was also discussed.

Thoughts

First of all, I do appreciate the subcommittee coming to us. For various reasons, most of us don’t get out to Washington, D.C. often. It was also educational to hear the presentations.

But as someone with a different point of view than panel members, I was disappointed. This is partly on me, because I don’t have enough information to evaluate what was said.

Many concerns were voiced about government regulations at the hearing. Perhaps some of them are valid. Many charges were leveled at President Biden and Democratic officials. Perhaps some of them are valid. I need to know more to determine that.

I was also disappointed that no one spoke about other interests involved with federal land management, such as environmental protection or the value of preserving wilderness and wildlife for its own sake. And certainly no fact checkers spoke.

In other words, the hearing did not provide a full picture of the situation. That was not its intent. I understand that.

What I don’t understand is why they had to pepper their views with gratuitous insults to the Biden administration and what I would characterize as loaded language regarding Democratic policies. Tiffany referred several times to Biden’s “radical agenda” for management of federal lands and charged him with “weaponizing” the Endangered Species Act regarding wolf management.

As someone with a different perspective, I especially did not appreciate closing comments from Rep. Collins, who blamed “an overreaching, out-of-control federal bureaucracy” for what he called unfair restrictions on use of federal lands. He added, “It’s been that way, as far as I can remember. And I think it picked up steam during the Obama administration. It’s federal agencies who feel like they don’t have to answer to anyone.”

Collins went on: “It’s because there is a socialistic movement out there. There’s a socialist movement to get everybody on the same page to where you don’t want to hunt. To where you don’t want to own guns. To where you just want to be urbanized. Where you want to live in apartments and everybody be the same. Just earn enough money, just to get by. And then let the federal government take care of you from that point on.” I won’t even begin to unpack that.

Collins also said that “we don’t have anybody from the other side of the aisle sitting here today.” I can’t help but wonder if they were invited.

Link to recording of full hearing

Come to Our County Caucus!

April 24, 2024

The road to the Democratic National Convention starts here in Sawyer County! On Sunday, April 28, each Wisconsin county will be electing delegates at their county caucus.

And you are invited to come to the Sawyer County and Lac Coutre Oreilles Democratic Party Caucus at the beautiful restored Kinnamon School House and Visitor Center, located N8493 County Rd E, Hayward, WI 54843. This is at the corner of Sawyer County Highways E and K. Registration opens at 1 p.m. and closes at 2 p.m. when the caucuses begin. The caucus is open to anyone who wishes to participate as a Democrat.

You could be running to be a delegate or you’ll be voting for delegates. Next, delegates move on to the 7th Congressional District Caucus on May 19, where they will compete to become a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in August in Chicago!

Who can be a delegate?

● Anyone 18 years or older on or before November 5, 2024

● A resident of Wisconsin and citizen of the United States

● A registered voter in the district which they are running

● Someone who supports the values of the Democratic Party

In order to run as a county-level delegate, which leads to the Democratic National Convention, you must have filed a statement of candidacy with the Wisconsin Democratic Party by April 19. You also must attend the 1st Tier County Caucus this coming Sunday, April 28, and get elected to move on to the District Caucus on May 19.

Check our web page for details at https://sclcodems.org or the State Democratic Party at https://wisdems.org/2024-dnc-convention/

And remember to vote for Democrats because they vote for us.

Photo: ReddF, Unsplash

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