Waukesha County Democratic Party

Oconomowoc Hosts 2013 Dem State Convention

Great news for Waukesha County Democrats, allies and friends. This year the state Democratic Party Convention will take place at Olympia Resort and Conference Center, 1350 Royale Mile Road, in Oconomowoc. The convention dates are Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8. Let’s make this year’s state convention memorable with high participation. Preliminary schedules have the convention beginning with registration at 2 p.m. on Friday. Also state caucus meetings will be held, such as our own Veterans Caucus, started by Waukesha County Dem Tom Ralston. At 5 p.m. the Convention Hall Doors open for a night of raucus and rowdy speech making. Then at 9 p.m. the hospitalities will open and the fun begins without end.

The convention hall reopens at 8 a.m. on Saturday and the speaking program resumes. Voting and discussion for the party platform and new resolutions begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration closes at noon and the convention ends at 2 p.m. Meet all your favorite Democratic celebrities past, present and future. For hotel phone reservations call 1-800-558-9573. To volunteer at the convention or for exhibitor information contact Sean Berger at seanb@wisdems.org. For more information call the DPW at Phone: 608-255-5172. Local contact for the convention is Tom Hibbard at 262-369-1099.

February Candidates Dinner A Success

In place of the February monthly meeting, the Waukesha County Democrats held a Candidates Appreciation Dinner, honoring those candidates that ran in state legislative races in districts included in Waukesha County. The party also honored several other workers and candidates that made special contributions during 2012. Rob Zerban, candidate in the 1st Congressional District who did well against Paul Ryan,was presented with a special plaque. County Party Chair Dick Pas was moderator, and Jake Hajdu, Political Director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin was special speaker.

Among those honored at the dinner buffet held at La Estacion in Waukesha were John Pokrandt in Assembly Dist. 13, Scott Michalak Assembly Dist. 38, Jim Brownlow Assembly Dist. 83, Marga Krumins Assembly Dist. 97, Shan Haqqi Assembly Dist. 24, Chuck Garrigues Assembly Dist. 15 (primary), Tom Hibbard Assembly Dist. 99, and Jessie Read in the race for County Clerk.

There were several other candidates not present that ran in races that included Waukesha County: Chris Rockwood Assembly Dist. 14, Cindy Moore Assembly Dist. 15, Scott Woods Assembly Dist. 33, Eric Prudent Assembly Dist. 98, Dave Heaster in the 5th Cong. Dist. The dinner was well attended and there were silent auction items featuring items from past elections.

State Convention Heads April Meeting Topics

The state convention, O.F.A. and grass roots issues combined to energize the April regular meeting of the Waukesha County Democrats at the Waukesha Labor Temple. Among the issues discussed were gun control, education, a candidate to oppose Ron Johnson, and Move To Amend.

Mary Emery representing the Waukesha County Preservation Alliance announced that May is historic preservation month. There will be walking tours and house tours of historic buildings in Waukesha. The group is especially focusing on “Waukesha Historic Preservation Days,” from Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 19. Preservation Days will feature events at the Historical Museum, a pancake breakfast, walking tours, open houses, and a Civil War lecture.

Tom talked about the state convention, which will be in Waukesha County after a long hiatus. The state Democratic Party will hold its annual convention at Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc on June 7 and 8. The county party must provide color guard, national anthem singers and volunteers. Volunteering can be done on the DPW website under the “state convention” heading. Tom Hibbard at 262-369-1099 is the local contact. Local volunteers will be needed as greeters and sergeant-of-arms. Tom said this is an opportunity to give the Waukesha County Democratic Party legitimacy in our predominantly Republican area.

Scott Trindl talked about O.F.A. This group, which began as President Obama’s campaign organization, has now become Organizing For Action. As a certain type of non-profit organization it will no longer be able to participate in political campaigns. It will be an issue oriented organization. However smaller off-shoots, such as Organizing For Action-Waukesha, will remain active in campaigns.

Ch. Pas talked about our party’s increasing use of signage in political campaigns. He said we did well in the November elections in Waukesha County, with large signs in many places around the county.

Other items were: Former independent Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Hari Trivedi commented on gun control. He said that the 2nd amendment was written under different circumstances than today, and what’s most important is “to act responsibly.” Jim Brownlow talked about Move To Amend, which will be holding some events in May. Kristen Hansen said that A.C.L.U. will be participating in Milwaukee Gallery night with an exhibit of lighted bridge art. Drinking Liberally will be moving to People’s Park in Waukesha. And several new members were introduced.

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