Four months ago, we launched our reelection campaign to continue the work we’ve been doing the last several years to improve the lives of Wisconsin residents. I’ve always based my work on listening to the voices most frequently silenced and ensuring advocacy for those farthest from power. This year we listened harder than ever. That listening has resulted in both many pieces of legislation and a renewed purpose and connection with our community. I love this work and love pushing for new ways to solve old problems.
Conservatives often unite around a single vision because they are looking to the past, and ignoring its many flaws. As progressives, we are instead tasked with envisioning a better future and fighting for the legislation to get us there. The only way to do that well is to include all perspectives. This race was dominated by entrenched interests attempting to prioritize the wants of those already in power over the needs of the many. To win and to grow, we cannot divide ourselves and exclude those whose vision seems to moderates to be too ambitious or too radical. Only by pulling in the people who have been left behind will we win in November and beyond.
Yesterday, our community loudly proclaimed that the fight for a better future is important, and that we should keep being bold in advancing that compelling vision: in our community, in the state legislature and at every level of government.
Our win was a referendum on the status quo. Here in the 19th Assembly District, it is clear that we believe that every kid should grow up safe, well-fed, well-educated, healthy and successful. We believe in a world that is free from the injustices of state sanctioned violence and where poverty is nonexistent. We believe that each individual has the right to make the choices for their own health and happiness. Most importantly, we believe that nothing should stop us from fighting for each other and for our collective well-being. Our community has made clear that leftist policy is viable and popular and will continue to transform our state and society for the better.
I’m grateful for the guidance and support of so many brilliant leaders and organizations. We had massive forces aligned against us, and the people saw through the personal attacks to the heart of the issue: our community appreciates bold leadership. That is a charge I don’t take lightly. I’m grateful for our victory, but frustrated that so many hours and dollars were spent in a conservative attack on an already Democratic district instead of flipping the Republican districts that we’ll need to take the majority and improve lives. I will continue my existing efforts supporting other candidates to ensure progressive gains between now and the November election.
It’s time to overcome the divisiveness of this primary and coalesce around shared goals. I’ll be scheduling listening sessions through my office in the coming months to hear more about your priorities and continue our conversations that started in my office or on your doorsteps.
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