As you may know, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW) has thrown its weight behind voter-led efforts to recall all 8 Republican state senators that can be recalled at this time. State Democrats aren't flinching, and the pettiness of the state GOP has only strengthened their resolve:
State Sen. Chris Larson said the fines show that Republicans are becoming "increasingly petty." He said none of the Democrats flinched after learning of the move. He was resolved to stay away as long as necessary.
"In fact, my family just brought down clothes for me," he said. "We're committed to this cause."
We also know that Republicans have already said that they will spend what is necessary to save as many GOP state senators as possible, and GOP allies like Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce won't be silent. There are many opportunities to fight back.
Please join me in donating what you can to the DPW.
Wisconsin Democrats are collecting signatures for the recall THIS WEEKEND. You can sign up to help here. There are two shifts on Saturday, March 5 (10am and 2pm) and two on Sunday, March 6 (10am and 2pm). You can also check a box if you want to help gather signatures another day.
If you want to help gather signatures through SEIU, you can sign up here.
For those interested specifically in gathering signatures to recall Dan Kapanke, click here.
For those interested specifically in a recall of Alberta Darling, click here.
Here are the number of signatures needed in each district:
* SD 2: Robert Cowles (R): 15,960 signatures
* SD 8: Alberta Darling (R): 20,343 signatures
* SD 10: Sheila Harsdorf (R): 15,744 signatures
* SD 14: Luther Olsen (R): 14,733 signatures
* SD 18: Randy Hopper (R): 15,269 signatures
* SD 20: Glenn Grothman (R): 20,061 signatures
* SD 28: Mary Lazich (R): 20,973 signatures
* SD 32: Dan Kapanke (R): 15,588 signatures
The recall committees were registered on 3/2/11, and they have 60 days to gather the necessary signatures. I assume that they'll be collecting more than necessary for many reasons (legal challenges, getting as many IDs for organizing purposes, etc.) and will need all the help they can get.
Note that there are a few recall committees registered to target Democratic state senators (Spencer Coggs in SD6, Jim Holperin in SD12, Mark Miller in SD16, Robert Wirch in SD22, and Dave Hansen in SD30). You can donate to support the Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee here.
Finally, there is an important election on April 5 for the WI State Supreme Court. This is a big election, and Advancing Wisconsin is hiring. The application deadlines at that link have passed but the group just posted a bunch of job listings to several progressive job email lists I'm on, so they might be in the next phase of hiring. This election is important because you never know what from this fight with Scott Walker will end up in front of the court. These are technically nonpartisan elections but progressives want to support Joanne Kloppenburg (here's why).
To recap, here's what you can do:
* Donate to the recall effort. The state's Republicans are even ordering the Wisconsin 14 to be arrested, so let's kick in a few bucks.
* Gather signatures either through the DPW or SEIU.
* Donate to protect Democratic state senators. Maybe even give a few bucks to the WI Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee as some of their members have continued to fight and have been forced to meet with constituents outside.Updated by Newsie8200 at Fri Mar 4, 2011, 03:38:39 PM
Staging Locations for DPW signature gathering
Robert Cowles (Green Bay/De Pere/Ashwaubenon, Shawano)
Brown County Dems Office, 1061 W. Mason St., Green Bay
Angies Main Cafe, 132 South Main Street, Shawano
Alberta Darling (Milwaukee/Shorewood/Whitefish Bay)
Sweet and Associates, 2510 E Capitol
Sheila Harsdorf (Hudson, River Falls)
Hudson Coffee and Bagel, 800 Carmichael Rd., Hudson
Earth Angels, 321 N 2nd St, River Falls
Luther Olsen (Portage, Waupaca, Ripon)
Home of Margo Miller, 813 W. Carroll St., Portage
Chez Marche, 108 South Main Street, Waupaca
United Steelworkers, 443 Scott St., Ripon
Randy Hopper (Fond du Lac, Oshkosh)
Winnebagoland Uniserv, 325 Trowbridge Drive, Fond du Lac
UW Oshkosh Reeve Union, 748 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh
Dan Kapanke (La Crosse/Onalaska)
Machinists Hall, 1307 Market Street, La Crosse
Updated by Newsie8200 at Fri Mar 4, 2011, 10:26:12 PM
SEIU is sending their people to the same staging locations. They have staging locations for all 8 Senate Districts.