Zepecki Launches Campaign for Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair
“My top priorities are strengthening our party to more effectively stand up to Trump and win elections while ensuring we emerge from this process united.”
WISCONSIN – Today, Joe Zepecki announced his candidacy for Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Delegates to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s annual Convention will elect a new chair to succeed outgoing Chair Ben Wikler the weekend of June 14-15th in Wisconsin Dells.
Zepecki released the following statement:
“We need to ensure that Wisconsin Democrats build on the successes we’ve had over the last six years under Ben Wikler’s leadership. We need a game plan to build on what’s worked, learn from the challenges we face as a party, and new leadership in place to ensure progressives win up and down the ballot in 2026 and beyond.
”Over the last week I’ve had dozens of conversations with our party’s backbone – grassroots leaders, organizers and activists from every corner of our state and across our coalition. It is clear to me that there is a real appetite for leadership that meets this moment.
“We need to build on the fundraising success of the last six years, refine our approach to year-round organizing and the relationship between county parties and headquarters – and we have to fundamentally reshape how we communicate our values.
”We can, and must, do all of that at the same time while keeping our eyes on the prize. My top priorities are strengthening our party to more effectively stand up to Trump and win elections while ensuring we emerge from this process united.”
Zepecki’s announcement was accompanied by the release of a list of ‘Day One Endorsers’ representing the broad-based coalition central to Wisconsin Democrats’ winning formula. Public supporters include;
‘Day One Endorsers’
- Chandra Chouhan, former AAPI Coalitions Manager
- Erin Forrest, former Emerge Wisconsin Executive Director and former CCA Chair
- Stan Gruszynski, former state representative and former Obama USDA appointee
- State Representative Francesca Hong, Madison
- Linda Honold, former DPW Chair
- Rich Judge, Prairie du Sac Village Board and Sauk Prairie School Board member
- Eileen Harrington, grassroots volunteer – Madison Northside Action Team
- Angela Lang, Executive Director, BLOC
- Dr. Kristin Lyerly, M.D. – 2024 Candidate for Congress (WI-8)
- Matthew Mareno, Waukesha County Democratic Party Chair
- Former UW Regent John W. Miller
- Steven Olikara, former U.S. Senate candidate
- Rebecca Powell, Founder “Town Road Talk”
- State Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner
- Former Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg
- Former One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross
- Colleen Schulz, Waukesha County Democratic Party Vice Chair
- State Representative Christine Sinicki, Milwaukee County Democratic Party Chair
- Milwaukee County Comptroller Liz Sumner
- Chris Walton, former Milwaukee County Democratic Party Chair
To learn more, visit www.joezepecki.com.
About Joe Zepecki
A Wisconsin native and the founder of Zepecki Communications, LLC, Joe served as a political appointee in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) during President Obama’s first term. A veteran of three presidential campaigns as well as campaigns for Governor and U.S. Senate, his work since founding Zepecki Communications in 2016 has focused on healthcare, supporting public schools, preserving our democracy, and ensuring union members build Wisconsin’s clean energy future. Zepecki lives outside of Milwaukee with his wife, Melissa Moore Baldauff, and their family.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
