Working Families Party Challengers Sweep Primaries Across WI

Wisconsin – The Working Families Party is proud to congratulate immigrants rights activist Juan Miguel Martinez for Milwaukee County Supervisor, District 12, violence prevention activist Pheng Thao for Appleton Area School District, At-Large, Diverse & Resilient organizer Nick Ross for Appleton Area School District, At-Large and Citizen Action co-op organizer Noah Reif for Brown County Supervisor, District 4. Thao is the first non-white member of the Appleton school board, and Ross the first non-binary member.

“Yesterday’s results made clear what the Working Families Party has known for years: voters are ready for progressive leaders who will use their personal experience to fight for working families. Protecting school funding, investing in new strategies for community safety, and more aren’t just good policies, they’re now, without a doubt, the common-sense path to winning local office in Wisconsin,” said WI WFP State Director Jake Spence.

The WI WFP also congratulates Alicia Halvensleben for Waukesha Common Council, District 11, Supervisor Eric Hopkins for Racine County Supervisor, District 9 and Eric Rorholm for Milwaukee County Supervisor, District 3.

WFP staff, volunteers, and activists played a critical role in the string of progressive primary victories, sending over 60,000 texts to voters across the state, training candidates and their teams on the ins and outs of running a successful campaign, and advising on mail and messaging strategies.

“The WFP is a leading voice for working families in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin, and WI WFP activists showed up in force to help power our victory,” said Juan Miguel Martinez for Milwaukee County Supervisor, District 12. “From criminal justice and immigration reform to housing, healthcare and education as a human right, the values of Milwaukee voters match the values of the Working Families Party. Together, WI WFP candidates are proving that you don’t need corporate donors or establishment lobbyists to win elections — you need heart, courage, and a bold vision for racial, social and economic justice for all.”

“Brown County needs new leaders that are committed to building a city where everyone is welcome, where everyone can thrive,” said Noah Reif for Brown County Supervisor, District 4. “I’m proud to continue my work with WFP to open the possibility of a truly progressive governing majority in the city, and a chance for renewed investments in education, opportunity, and equitable growth.”

In the coming months, the WI WFP will  impact Wisconsin politics largely through work in the remaining 3 of the 4 elections happening in Wisconsin in 2022. This work will include support for even more local candidates in the April 5th spring general election, endorsements and support for state legislative and statewide races in the fall primary and general elections, and supporting Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes for Senate in the August 9th fall primary.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.