AUGUST 2026 NEWSLETTER
THERE YOU GO AGAIN! A LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
I have seen this type of rhetoric around elections since I was 18 years old. I’ve now spent 72 years on this planet. Come election time, name calling becomes the choice of many. If there is a candidate running as a democrat or has progressive values, they get labeled from the right as a “socialist” or, even worse, a “communist”. On the democrats’ side, they stand to be called a “corporate democrat” or a “member of the establishment”.
I call hogwash on both. In my way of thinking we simply have candidates that are trying to win your vote. Democratic candidates. As voters our job is to try to figure out which candidates best shares our core values. Then, when voting in a representative body, they will use their judgment and those values to vote for what is best for the constituents they represent.
As the late Jesse Jackson said,” America is not like a blanket, one piece of unbroken cloth, the same size, same color, same texture. America is more like a quilt, many patches, many pieces, many colors, many sizes all woven together by a common thread!”
Our local county party has done its part in helping you make an informed decision by way of the three forums held with both local and statewide candidates. Since last summer we have provided multiple opportunities to meet individual candidates at our Speaking of Democracy events. And, as recently as July 28th, you had an opportunity to watch the televised gubernatorial debate.
So yes, go vote in the August 11 primary for the candidate that checks most of your boxes. Then after the primary, support the entire Democratic ticket, whoever those candidates are.
Let’s all find the time to volunteer to help make Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, and the USA a better place to live. Be proud of what we can become, because we all know what is currently happening is not acceptable.
Attend our picnic (details later in this Newsletter) or walk/ride with us at the Shanty Day Parade. And if your calendar doesn’t allow you to attend, go to our website, read these newsletters (a sincere thank you goes out to all 400+ who receive them) and watch for updates on Facebook!
Let’s GO!!!
Stan Johnson – Chair of the Democratic Party of Kewaunee County
VOTING IN THE AUGUST 11 PRIMARY – IT’S HOW WE PARTICIPATE IN DEMOCRACY
On a weekly basis we have people contacting us saying “I didn’t know we have a primary in August! HELP”
Yes, Virginia, there is a Primary and as a “Partisan Primary” it has its own unique set of rules. First and foremost, when voting, you must pick or declare your political Party and then ONLY vote for candidates in that Party.
By example, if you select “DEMOCRATIC” as your Party (and we hope you do) you cannot vote for ANY of the Republican candidates. Practically speaking, in Kewaunee County, if you select Democratic Party and vote for one of the Democrats running for Congress or Governor, you cannot also vote for any of the candidates for County Sheriff who are all running as Republicans. Got it?
To register, check your registration or see a sample ballot, click here
To learn more about the candidates for all of the statewide offices, we recommend visiting Wisconsin Public Radio’s site. See these links for our local candidates: running for Assembly District 1 Renee Paplham and Mark Becker running as an Independent for Senate District 1.
Renee and Mark will be attending the picnic on the 9th.
Help us get the word out! Ask your friends and family if they are ready to vote on August 11th.
EVENTS – GET INVOLVED – DEMOCRACY IS TOO IMPORTANT TO RISK
AUGUST 9 – The Rescheduled Democratic Party of Kewaunee County Picnic
Noon – 3p
Heritage Park, Algoma (the park near the Marina)
Weather Backup – Algoma Boat Club
The picnic is a great time for all good Dems to gather along the lakeshore, thank all the volunteers and just celebrate! Come out and hear from a variety of guest speakers, eat good food and enjoy the camaraderie!
Feel free to bring friends and family! New this year; a Kids’ Kraft table with rocks to paint and bubbles to blow!
Party will provide:
Brats, Burgers & a Plant based option with all the fixings
Water, Lemonade and Soda
Desserts
Plates, cups and utensils
Attendees please bring:
A dish to share (no desserts please)
Your choice of beverage
Lawn chair
SATURDAY AUGUST 14 - SHANTY DAYS PARADE & WE NEED TO BE VISIBLE!
This is our last opportunity in this campaign cycle to connect with people who may be ready to vote AGAINST fascism and FOR decency this fall.
And to be honest, the Republicans are putting us to shame in area parades this summer. We need your help!
Keith Bancroft and LeAnna Franklin have put together a super float that can hold more than a dozen riders. We can also accommodate an unlimited number of walkers to accompany candidates. So, will you please “get on board” and sign up here? Now? Deadline is August 9th.
The parade lines up at 11am and lasts until approximately 2pm. Parking available at 804 Parker (Algoma United Methodist Church) with the float typically staged within 2 blocks of parking
SPEAKING OF DEMOCRACY
Thursday August 18, 6-8pm
Location TBD
Watch for Action Alert emails closer to the date with details
CANDIDATE SIGNS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
In rural locations such as Kewaunee County where local news coverage is sparce, “Signs Matter” as they are one of the very few ways candidates can get their names known. We now have a supply of lawn signs for Rick Crosson, Mark Scheffler, Katrina deVille (8th CD), Renee (Assembly D1) and Mark Becker (Senate D1) in the office along with a handful of “Vote for Democrats. They Vote for US” signs.
The campaigns are ramping up their print orders as we near the Primary. Once we know who our general election candidates will be we anticipate a surge of campaign signs arriving. Getting them out will be a high priority.
We are looking for people who are handy with a post pounder and T-posts (we have both)!
Join the sign crew and help get the signs up as quickly as possible.
Also, we are looking for people who have a high visibility location that would be perfect for the large 4’x4’ or 4’x8’ signs
Please let us know if you can help in either manner by completing this short survey
A LOOK IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR
On July 26th the Kewaunee and Door Dems, Door County Indivisible and Northern Door Activists hosted a unique meet and greet with 12 candidates for office.
Statewide candidates included:
State Treasurer Yee Leng Xiong,
2027 Supreme Court Justice candidates Pedro Colon and Lyndsey Brunette,
8th Congressional Candidates Rick Crosson, Mark Scheffler and Katrina deVille (running for a chance against Tony Wied)
Assembly D1 candidate Renee Papllham (running against Joel Kitchens)
D1 Senate candidate Mark Becker(I) (running against the post held by Andre Jacque, several Republican candidates running)
Also attending were Door County candidates for Sheriff Tammy Sternard and Randy Wagner (I) and
Clerk of Court candidates Pamela Parks and Shannon Lauder.
We look forward to hosting more of these events in the future and hope that you will take advantage of these opportunities to speak with candidates one on one in more intimate settings.
Candidates at the July 26 Meet & Greet
