June 2026 Newsletter
Important to Pace Our Messaging Plan
For the first time in recent memory our County party has developed a coordinated plan on WHEN and HOW to get out all our messaging and drive the vote in the General Election. AND we developed a budget based on realizing those goals.
Our plan takes into account that it’s a long way to November. The race doesn’t always go to the first horse OUT of the gate. Sure and steady wins the race and, as many coaches can attest, pacing yourself to “peak” at the optimal time is a winning strategy.
And that is how we have developed the plan.
We know that Governor signs won’t be out until close to Labor Day and we’ll have a very short time to get them distributed and installed. We know the “Vote for Democrats” signs and billboards are effective in filling the gap before we get those candidate signs. Our plan takes that into account.
We know that postcards to a narrow audience with a specific message for that audience drives votes right before the election - so we’ve planned for that.
We know we have limited opportunities to be in front of any of the swing voters who may be angry with the current direction of the country. Based on recent posts, the Republican Party is getting an earful from their constituents. We have access to those audiences at the County Fair and Shanty Days and we intend to make the most of it!
And we know that “Door Knocking” in late October makes a huge difference. We need to leave “fuel in the tank” for that!
Accordingly, our plan also takes into account the timing, the human resources needed, like postcard writers, sign installers, and phone callers, and we’ve calculated the financial resources necessary to pull it all off – successfully.
What follows are some of the HUMAN resources needed in the near-term, but we also recognize not all of us are as “nimble” as we once were and may prefer to just write a check – we certainly welcome that as well! And a big shout out to the generous donor who jumpstarted that effort at our May SOD!
No matter if you take a stint at the Fair, take part in a parade, show up at the picnic, make a call or write a check, you are DEMONSTRATING DEMOCRACY and we Thank you!
June Events
Speaking of Democracy (SOD) – June 16th 6p-8p
Algoma Boat Club
Join fellow “birds of a feather” to hear the latest plans from the County leadership team, chat about the latest happenings and enjoy the latest beverage on tap! The original goal of Speaking of Democracy was to allow opportunities for dialogue among each other and avoid overly structured events. Since there are so many races and candidates and organizational details to share each month, we have decided to make an open invitation to all candidates to join us at our SODs on a mix and mingle basis through the campaign cycle. Put the 3rd Tuesday of the month on your calendar!
Organizing the Kewaunee County Fair Booth and Parade. Volunteers Welcome!
The most remarkable exchange we experienced at the 2025 Fair was the older Republican voter who approached our booth and thanked us for being there saying “since I don’t see my Party anywhere around, I’ll come b*tch to you” and he did. For more than 15 minutes we had a wide-ranging conversation and even found agreement on some issues. Did we turn his vote? Probably not, but our visibility, our openness to “show up” when his party didn’t was not wasted on this man.
And that is the why we will be back at the Fair and in the Parade this July.
New Banner for the 2026 Kewaunee County Fair Democrats Booth
This year we will once again illustrate our patriotism highlighting the 250 years as a nation theme with a new banner.
We have also invited all the Democratic and Independent candidates to join us either in the booth or at the parade. After all, it’s happening just three weeks before the August Primary.
Can you help out?
Please consider signing up for a four-hour shift beginning on Thursday July 9 through Sunday July 12. NOTE: There are slots on each day, specifically for Veterans, but Thursday is VETERAN APPRECIATION DAY, complete with a parade down the midway at 6pm to honor area Vets!
There is no limit to the number of slots you can sign up for – the more the merrier!
We also have separate slots for people to walk or ride the float in the Parade on Sunday from 11:30 – 1:30. Again, we have asked all Statewide candidates to participate and are looking to have a large presence. Please consider making the parade a family affair, bring the kids, the nieces and nephews, the grandkids and let’s show Kewaunee County just what democracy looks like!
New Date & Details Set for Picnic, Saturday, July 18
Heritage Park, Algoma (the park near the Marina)
The Dems will provide:
• Brats, and Burgers with all the fixings
• Water, Lemonade, and Soda
• Desserts
• Plates, cups and utensils
Please bring a dish to share (please no desserts)
Feel free to bring your own beer or your favorite summer refreshment
SO WHAT ELSE HAVE WE BEEN UP TO LATELY?
8th Congressional District CONVENTION
Over 80 delegates representing all 11 counties in the District attended the annual event on May 2nd.
During the business portion of the meeting, delegates elected Logan Jansen as the new Chairman of the Executive Board and Colleen O’Brien as Treasurer.
Eight resolutions to amend the Wis Dems Constitution and Platform were approved.
The afternoon session was all about the various candidates for office. Twenty-one hopefuls from across the Congressional District entertained delegates’ questions in a round-robin format.
Kewaunee County was well represented by a full complement of delegates. Attending were Stan Johnson, Jodi Parins, Colleen O’Brien, Laura Krzysiak, Frank Madzarevic, Renee Paplham and Linda Stone-Winter.
Speaking of Democracy Held in Kewaunee
On May 19 we held our monthly Speaking of Democracy event at Vintage Brick Event Center in Kewaunee where we were heard from two candidates; Assembly candidate, Renee Paplham (D) and State Senate candidate Mark Becker (I), who is running for the seat previously held by Andre Jacque.
Renee shared that she is looking forward to working to solve many of the problems that her Republican opponent has ignored such as the public education funding problem. She calls Republican’s recent boisterous concern about school funding after years of neglect at their own hands, “a farce”. Read more about Renee here:
Mark Becker, State Senate Candidate
Becker (pictured left) is running as an Independent* having witnessed just how extreme politics and tribalism have “warped the fabric of our state politics, for the worse”. Becker believes that while he is running as an Independent, his values actually do align more closely to those we hold as Democrats.
Paplham, who has attended many recent events with Becker, commented that she finds him “a dynamic candidate with a diverse background whose election would make ours a more robust coalition.” Read more about Becker here.
*It’s important to note that no Democrat has declared their intention to run in this race.
Check out More Opportunities for YOU to Demonstrate Democracy
Talent Show to Raise Funds for 8th Congressional Coffers – June 23
Would you like to see outstanding talent from across the 8th Congressional District? Would you enjoy an evening of singing, dancing, bagpiping, acting, harpists, and more? Would you like a chance to get to know your candidates for Wisconsin State, Federal and 8th CD offices in an entertaining way?
Are you interested in supporting the effort to set our country back on the right path and have a great time doing it? If so, purchase tickets, share this message, encourage your friends and relatives to join us at Bayview Middle School in Howard on June 23! Tickets will go fast – don’t delay! Purchase tickets here.
Keep Up on the Latest Happenings Between Newsletters
With the 24/7 news cycle being what it is, we are posting items of interest more frequently on our website. In between newsletters, check out the latest on our website. There are zoom calls sponsored by various progressive groups (e.g., WisDems Caucuses, League of Women Voters, County Chairs Association), all free, all open to you. It’s all just a click away on our website.
