Assembly Democratic Leader to begin 7th term serving the people of Oshkosh

MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) was sworn in Monday for the 2019-2020 legislative session of the Wisconsin State Assembly. Rep. Hintz has been serving the 54th Assembly District since 2007 and was re-elected as Assembly Democratic Leader for the 2019-10 legislative session.

“It is an honor to serve the residents of the 54th Assembly District. As someone who has always called Oshkosh home, I take the responsibility of representing our community very seriously and am eager to get to work in Madison.”

“The hardworking people of 54th Assembly District elected me to strengthen our public schools, improve access to quality healthcare, and fix our roads and bridges. I believe these goals are achievable when we come together to find solutions that work for everyone in our state. The 2019-2020 legislative session is an opportunity to make Wisconsin a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Let’s get to work.”

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Rep. Hintz represents the 54th Assembly District which encompasses the City of Oshkosh. Rep. Hintz served on the Joint Finance Committee prior to being elected to Assembly Democratic Leader in 2017.

MILWAUKEE - Senator Chris Larson released this statement regarding his inauguration Monday for a third term in the Wisconsin State Senate.

“I want to thank my neighbors in the 7th Senate District for once again entrusting me with the great honor and privilege of giving voice to our values in the Wisconsin State Senate. I look forward to continuing to work on policies that reflect their priorities for our great state.

“In the next four years, I believe that we can finally see movement on issues that were long stalled during Wisconsin’s time of one party rule. We must again prioritize the teaching of our children in Wisconsin and rebalance the education funding formula so that we are not picking winners and losers based on where children happen to live. Every child deserves early access to education. We need to commit ourselves to full-day 4K so our Wisconsin kids have the educational opportunities that bring a lifetime of success.

“This session, we must finally tackle the problem of drunk driving. I will be pushing very hard for common sense solutions to this problem and I call on my Republican colleagues to come to the table, work with Democrats on this issue, and pass comprehensive legislation that Governor Evers can sign this session. We can make sure that everyone convicted of an OWI install an interlock device in their vehicles. There must be a real and immediate consequence for all drunk drivers. Simply doing that can go a long way to changing Wisconsin’s culture of drinking and driving and making our roadways safe.

“We will renew Wisconsin’s commitment to good government that has been greatly diminished in recent years. In order for our government to function properly it must do so in an open and honest fashion. Our constituents have a right to know who is influencing their elected officials. That is why we must also prioritize laws that make it easier to hold elected officials accountable and make it harder for special interests to buy and bully politicians. Members of the legislature should no longer be able to simply delete any public record they want at any time they want. Additionally, we must limit the amount of money political action committees and individuals can give to candidates for office. I know, that if we work together, we can limit the corrupting influence money has on our democracy and make our government more accessible to those who have been shut out of the process.

“It is a new era for Wisconsin politics and I am thankful and grateful to be a part of building a better future for all of us. Thank you again to my neighbors in our shared community for this great honor.”

MADISON – Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) was sworn into office Monday as the 31st District Senator during the opening session of the 104th Wisconsin State Legislature.

Senator Smith offered the following statement:

“I feel humbled and honored to represent our Western Wisconsin values in the State Senate. There is much work to be done, but together, we can make our state a great place to live, work and raise a family.

“I look forward to reaching out to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to restore civility. I’m confident we can work together to find commonsense solutions for educating our children, fixing our roads and protecting our environment.”

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The 31st Senate District includes all of Buffalo and Pepin counties and portions of Trempealeau, Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, Chippewa and Jackson counties.

MADISON, WI – Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement after Tony Evers was sworn in today as the 46th Governor of the State of Wisconsin:

“I am thrilled to welcome Governor Tony Evers and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes as we usher in a new era in Wisconsin history. Today marks a fresh start to move past political battles and build a new path forward that focuses on improving health care, strengthening schools, and fixing roads. Gov. Evers has built a team from across the state that brings diverse experience and knowledge to the table and I know they are ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Mark Bender, Mitch Greenberg, Morgan Newcomb, and Sarah Semrad get new jobs joining continuing staff in State Senate Democratic Leader's office.

MADISON – Several new staffers will be joining Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) in her legislative office for the upcoming 2019-2020 session. Tony Palese, will serve as Chief of Staff to Senator Shilling. Tony has over a decade of experience in Sen. Shilling’s office serving as Communications Director and Policy Analyst.

1. Mark Bender, who previously worked for Rep. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), has joined the Shilling office as the Legislative Director. Mark has years of leadership and policy experience in Rep. Spreitzer’s office, serving families in the 45^th Assembly District.
2. Mitch Greenberg, a former Shilling intern and Field Director for the State Senate Democratic Committee will join as a policy analyst.
3. Morgan Newcomb, who most recently worked as a Shilling intern will be joining the team as Constituent Relations Manager.
4. Sarah Semrad, a former Shilling district intern and recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse will serve as the District Representative.
5. Kate Constalie and Steven Worley will continue in Shilling’s State Capitol office.

Contact Information

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wisconsin State Capitol

Room 206 South

P.O. Box 7882

Madison, WI 53707

Phone: (608) 266-5490

Toll free: (800) 385-3385

Social Media

Facebook: Jennifer.Shilling.WI

Twitter: @SenShilling

Instagram: SenShilling

District Office

205 5th Avenue South, Suite 312

La Crosse, WI 54601

Phone: (608) 782-2785

Senator Shilling Staff

Tony Palese

Chief of Staff

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Mark Bender

Legislative Director

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Kate Constalie

Press Secretary

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608-632-1606 - cellphone

Steven Worley

Scheduling and Outreach Director

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Mitch Greenberg

Policy Analyst

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Morgan Newcomb

Constituent Relations Manager

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Sarah Semrad

District Representative

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Complete contact and biographical information can be found on Senator Shilling’s legislative website: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2017/legislators/senate/1525

Party Announces Key Hires for 2020 Cycle

MADISON -- The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is proud to announce the promotion of Devin Remiker to Executive Director of Political Affairs and Tom McCann to Finance Director. Additionally, the Party has already made key hires for its 2020 field organizing program, bolstering its year-in-year-out field program with a pivotal early investment.

“After resounding victories for Wisconsin Democrats in November, it is crucial that the Party is able to carry its success forward into 2019 and beyond,” said Martha Laning, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “The Party is committed to supporting Governor-elect Tony Evers and his vision for the future of our state. And we are determined as ever to deliver Wisconsin to our 2020 Democratic presidential nominee. Our new personnel and our ambitious organizing program will be essential to these efforts.”

Devin Remiker formerly served as Congressman Ron Kind's campaign manager in La Crosse and as DPW's Political Director. Tom McCann was born and raised in Eau Claire and formerly served as DPW’s Membership Director.

Governor-Elect Evers and Lt. Governor-Elect Barnes Host Session in Milwaukee.

MADISON – State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) attended “The People’s Budget Listening Session” hosted by Governor-Elect Tony Evers and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Mandela Barnes yesterday at the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County Volunteer Center.

The pair have hosted similar events across the state in an effort to give citizens a direct communication forum with the incoming Governor and Lieutenant Governor. After attending the session, Senator Carpenter released the following statement:

“The response from those in attendance was similar to my own Town Hall meeting I held this past Saturday, where more than 100 citizens attended and the ‘lame duck’ session was first and foremost on their minds.

“Governor-Elect Evers has said he seeks compromise and cooperation, not confrontation and chaos. It was a pleasure to see how democracy is supposed to work. Rather than a ‘my way or the highway’ approach as we’ve seen too often in recent years, it’s clear that Governor-Elect Evers and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Barnes care about what people are saying, what they are struggling with, and what might be their priorities.”

“Despite measures meant to thwart their power coming in, I know that Governor-Elect Evers and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Barnes understand that it’s this type of grass-roots effort that will bring about a new way of doing things in Wisconsin. We should be proud of their efforts. Voters want us to work together and not descend into gridlock. I am looking forward to working with them in any way I can.”

LA CROSSE, WI – Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes hosted a listening session in La Crosse as part of their Building the People’s Budget statewide tour. The session gave participants an opportunity to share their budget priorities directly with Gov.-elect Evers and Lt. Gov.-elect Barnes.

After attending the listening session, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement:

“I appreciate Gov.-elect Evers creating an open dialogue with residents in the Coulee Region and across the state. Feedback from students, families and seniors will help Gov.-elect Evers and legislators build a budget that reflects our shared values and focuses on efforts to improve health care, strengthen schools and fix our roads.”

Walker has secured his legacy of divisive politics.

MADISON, WI – After voters resoundingly elected Democrats to every statewide office, Governor Walker signed into law proposals that limit the powers of Governor-elect Tony Evers and Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul.

In response, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement:

“With the swipe of a pen, Governor Walker has secured his legacy of divisive politics. Rather than putting the election behind us and working with Gov.-elect Evers to improve health care, strengthen schools and fix our roads, Republican leaders have tightened their fists on more power. The blatant disrespect for Wisconsin voters undermines the validity of elections that don’t go their way.”

Former Candidate for Governor Andy Gronik urges all his friends and supporters to help Judge Lisa Neubauer become our next Supreme Court Justice.