SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
Our Slate is set – The Sprint to November 3rd
There is a saying in journalism that old news is bad news, so any “news” that happened almost three weeks ago is typically not front page worthy. However, this is the first newsletter since the August 11th primary and there has been quite a bit of excitement around the very close election in both the races for Governor and the US Congress, we thought it is deserving of a brief refresher.
In doing so we will also provide brief biographical portraits of the Candidates to support in the November 3rd general election.
US Congress 8th District – Rick Crosson
Rick, with 35.3% of the vote, narrowly defeated Katrina deVille (31.6%) and Mark Scheffler (33%). In his speech during the Unity Tour stop in Green Bay, Rick humbly admitted that more people did NOT vote for him than did and he had his work cut out as he takes no vote for granted.
Rick has hit the ground running having already scheduled six stops on his townhall meeting series aptly named “The Showing Up Tour” happening throughout the district. Rick is also holding an ag policy advisory roundtable with a cross section of farmers and agri-businesses from across the 8th, including some from Kewaunee County.
For more on Rick’s campaign click here.
Rick Crosson
Governor - David Crowley
In the most hotly contested and surprising win of the primary, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won the right to represent the Democratic Party in the General Election. State Assembly representative Francesca Hong, garnered over 310,000 votes statewide, falling just four-tenths of one percent short of the top spot. Hong was the odds-on favorite among young and urban voters while Crowley carried Milwaukee and the more rural areas.
Crowley served four years in the state Assembly before being elected the Milwaukee County Executive in 2020. That experience will transfer well to the role of Governor. In 2023 Crowley signed into law Milwaukee County’s largest tax cut in its history. Crowley was born and raised in one of the most under privileged wards in Milwaukee and is a product of the Milwukee Public School System.
For more information, including his Badger Basics plan click here.
Lieutenant Governor - Sarah Godlewski
Running unopposed in the primary, this firebrand of a leader is the current Secretary of State and a familiar face in the Wisconsin political scene.
Sarah led strategic planning and project management efforts for the Department of Defense as a consultant.
Her time working with the Pentagon included improving Army readiness for FORSCOM (United States Army Forces Command), creating a medical services strategy for the Air Force Surgeon General, and addressing soldier morale for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Sarah was a national security fellow with the Air War College and attended the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University.
In 2018, Sarah successfully took on Scott Walker and Wisconsin politicians to stop them from eliminating the Office of the State Treasurer.
Read more about Sarah here.
Attorney General - Josh Kaul
Not a stranger to Kewaunee County where he successfully prosecuted large farms which violated their Pollutant Discharge permits to the tune of over $250,000. Kaul has continued to prosecute other violators of environmental regulations across the state. Most recently his attention has turned to protecting both women’s reproductive rights and voter rights from the over-reach of the Trump Administration. Josh’s full background is available here.
Secretary of State - JoCasta Zamarripa
With a smile that can light up a room, this Milwaukee native has led major efforts on affordable housing, small business licensing reform, and community development during her ten years in the State Assembly. JoCasta is now in her second term as Alderperson for Milwaukee’s 8th District. Her goal as Secretary of State is to use the platform to fight for more school funding so families aren’t forced into referenda every election, real housing relief for working people, and affordable childcare that lets parents breathe. Learn more about JoCasta here.
State Treasurer - Yee Leng Xiong
Born in Wausau to refugees who fled persecution and communism, Yee learned early that freedom comes with responsibility. In 2014, Yee was elected to the DC Everest School Board, becoming Vice President in 2022, In 2016, Yee was elected Marathon County Supervisor for District 19, becoming only the second Hmong American to serve on the Board. During his term as Trustee for the village of Weston, in 2019, Governor Tony Evers appointed Yee to the Governor's Financial Literacy Council. Read more about Yee here.
Assembly and State Senate
Not to be forgotten are our candidates for state Assembly and Senate.
Running for a second time for State Assembly, read about Kewaunee County’s own Renee Paplham here.
Kewaunee County Dems are also supporting Independent Mark Becker for State Senate. Read more about Mark here.
Renee Paplham for 1st Assembly District against Joel Kitchens
Mark Becker for State Senate against Cravillion (currently Andre Jacque’s position).
Conclusion
Since the primary race, much has been made by pundits and GOP mouthpieces about “chaos” inside the Democrat’s camp. We encourage you not to listen to this. The morning after the primary was called by the Associated Press at 12:34am, statewide Democrats, both those in office and the primary winners, gathered for breakfast. There was no animosity, only collaboration, and recognition that to defeat the heinous MAGA agenda, their mission must be one of unity. Their mission must be one. And so must ours.
During the primary, candidates called for many changes to social programs, and the election results showed that, indeed, many voters want real change. Change can come both from within and outside the party. We are confident that by electing this slate of candidates, as Sam Cooke sang, “Change Gonna Come.”
This picture of most of the Democratic slate was taken at the Green Bay Unity Tour. Our slate is diversity personified: young, middle aged; black, brown, white; gay, bi, straight; male and female. It shows a very different picture than MAGA’s lily-white, straight, male dominated ticket.
Change has come. We just need more of it.
Primary winners on the Unity Tour stop in Green Bay
