MADISON, WI - This afternoon, Tim Burns’ campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court released a TV ad that makes clear Tim is the only candidate in the race who will stand up to Governor Walker’s extreme agenda. The ad will play initially on broadcast in the Madison and Milwaukee markets, and articulates Tim’s vision for a Wisconsin Supreme Court that looks out for everyone regardless of race or income level. We can no longer afford to have a Wisconsin Supreme Court that simply looks out for the wealthy and the well-connected.

The spring primary is February 20th, and will narrow the current field to two candidates.

Tim Burns is a partner at a law firm in Madison. Burns is running for the seat now held by Justice Michael Gableman, who has announced his retirement from the court. The primary will be held on February 20th, 2018 and will narrow the field to 2 candidates who will advance to the April 3rd general election.

View the ad at: www.burnsforwisconsin.com/springprimary or below.

Tim Burns Justice

###

Tim is a former co-chair of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association. A graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia Law School, Tim is licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri. Tim's national practice focuses on making insurance companies live up to their obligations to their policyholders. Tim also serves on the national board of the American Constitution Society and he chaired the Fair and Impartial Courts Committee of the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section of the American Bar Association. Tim and his wife Pam, have chosen Middleton to raise their family. Married for over 20 years, they have three children

Ad mischaracterizes Tim Burn’s experience as a public servant, also features a quote from Law 360, discussing Tim’s capital murder trial from almost 20 years ago, when he says “I had very little experience with the criminal justice system at the time.”

MADISON, WI - This morning, Dallet for Justice released a digital ad that intentionally or recklessly mischaracterizes Tim Burn’s experience as a public servant. The spot, which the Dallet campaign said would reach a targeted statewide audience. In the ad Judge David Swanson says Tim Burns has never served as a public servant. This statement is untrue. Tim Burns spent a year serving as a clerk on the United States 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. Tim is the only candidate in this race with experience working on an appellate court. This information is not secret, and is easily available on the Perkins Coie website.

But the untruthful hit job doesn’t stop there. The ad also features a quote from Law 360, discussing Tim’s capital murder trial from almost 20 years ago, when he says “I had very little experience with the criminal justice system at the time.”

Judge Dallet knows or should have known these statements are untrue, and featuring these statements in a public ad by her campaign is a clear violation of the code of judicial conduct. See SCR 60.06 section C. As such it is Judge Dallet’s responsibility to pull the ad immediately.

Below is a quote from Amanda Brink, campaign manager for Burns:

“This tactic is ripped straight from the Scott Walker playbook, and unfortunately this is just business as usual for Judge Dallet’s campaign, a desperate candidate who will say anything to get elected.

But this campaign isn’t about who can sling the most mud. It is about which candidate will be a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice who will look out for all Wisconsinites, regardless of race or income level. That candidate is Tim Burns. ”

SCR 60.06 A judge or judicial candidate shall refrain from inappropriate political activity. (c) Misrepresentations. A candidate for a judicial office shall not knowingly or with reckless disregard for the statement's truth or falsity misrepresent the identity, qualifications, present position, or other fact concerning the candidate or an opponent. A candidate for judicial office should not knowingly make representations that, although true, are misleading, or knowingly make statements that are likely to confuse the public with respect to the proper role of judges and lawyers in the American adversary system.

Republican Leah Vukmir Commits to No New Taxes as a U.S. Senator.

BROOKFIELD, WI - U.S. Senate candidate and state Sen. Leah Vukmir announced Tuesday that she has signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge. By signing this pledge, Leah commits to oppose all new taxes and tax increases.

“Signing this pledge was a no-brainer,” Leah said. “Voters can know I will work to cut taxes, not just because I signed this pledge, but because I have a track record they can count on. I’ve worked closely with Gov. Walker and Republicans in Wisconsin to cut taxes by more than $8 billion, and I will take my same determination to let people keep their hard-earned money to Washington.”

See a copy of the signed pledge here:

This isn’t the first time Leah has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. She also signed the version for state legislators when she ran for state Senate.

****

Leah Vukmir is a nurse, military mom and conservative with a proven record of reform who is running to bring the Wisconsin Way to Washington. She currently serves as a state senator from Brookfield.

2018 Wisconsin Way tour is part of Senate run.

BROOKFIELD, WI - Nurse and U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir on Wednesday announced that she’s kicked off her 2018 Wisconsin Way tour.

“Nothing is more important to me as I run to take the Wisconsin Way to Washington than to hear from voters about the issues that matter to them,” Leah said. “Since I considered running for the U.S. Senate, I’ve put on more than 44,000 miles on my car driving to meet face to face with Wisconsinites all across our state. The resounding message I hear is that we need a proven conservative to defeat Tammy Baldwin.”

Leah is eager to meet with Wisconsinites in every corner of the Badger State. She intends to visit all 72 counties in Wisconsin within the first few months of 2018.

In the month of January alone, Leah has already visited and talked to voters in 27 counties — Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Iowa, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Ozaukee, Pepin, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca and Winnebago.

In 2017, Leah spent a considerable amount of time traveling across the state to meet with voters, attending events in about two-thirds of Wisconsin counties since she began testing the waters for her U.S. Senate run.

****

Leah Vukmir is a nurse, military mom and conservative with a proven record of reform who is running to bring the Wisconsin Way to Washington. She currently serves as a state senator from Brookfield.

Right-wing malice for teachers, compounded with Act 10, are convincing teachers to leave the profession or leave the state.

MILWAUKEE, WI – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn today made the following statement attacking Scott Walker for creating Wisconsin’s growing teacher shortage.

“Scott Walker signed Act 10 into law nearly seven years ago. We know the results. Just as expected, Wisconsin's public education system is falling apart. The state is facing a major teacher shortage.

“The teacher shortage was easily predictable when Walker announced his legislation. From 2010 to 2015, enrollment in teacher licensing programs dropped almost 30 percent. More than 20 percent of those in school to become teachers don't finish the program. This means fewer qualified teachers and larger class sizes.

“Walker and his right-wing radio allies have a long history of disrespecting teachers. By passing Act 10, we have cut their pay and benefits, worsened their working conditions, and discouraged young people from joining the profession in our state. Scott Walker is the reason why qualified people stop wanting to be teachers in Wisconsin.

“Teachers are vital to Wisconsin’s economy and life. Children need qualified and dedicated classroom teachers. We should want the best people educating our kids. We can’t get them if we don’t let them bargain for pay, benefits, and school conditions.

“As governor I will restore the rights of public employees to collectively bargain and start a major push for teacher recruitment. Our goal will be to entice the best and brightest to look at teaching as the rewarding profession it really is. It is time to end Walker’s insulting disrespect of teachers.”

###

Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He attended law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com.

MADISON - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn today earned the endorsement of former Wisconsin Governor Tony Earl.

"I have known Matt Flynn for 40 years. He will be a strong and effective governor," said Earl. "I am very happy to endorse him and I look forward to voting for him this year."

Earl served as governor from 1983 to 1987. A former prosecutor, he had previously served as Secretary of the Department of Administration and Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources under Governor Patrick Lucey. Before that he served as a member of the State Assembly for northern Wisconsin.

"I am very proud to have Governor Earl’s support today," said Flynn. "Wisconsin has a tradition of clean, honest government going back to Robert La Follette. Tony Earl was a stalwart against corruption during his term. Scott Walker has soiled our record. As governor, I will restore clean, honest government in Wisconsin."

###

Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He attended law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com.

Walker's speech was nothing more than a transparent election-year attempt to rewrite history, says Evers.

MADISON, WI - State Superintendent of Schools and Candidate for Governor Tony Evers released the following statement after Gov. Scott Walker's State of the State speech on Wednesday.

“Scott Walker can’t hide from his record. His State of the State speech was nothing more than a transparent election-year attempt to rewrite history.

“We cannot forget the years of cuts to public education that have forced a million Wisconsinites to raise their own taxes to pay for their schools. We cannot forget the 6 years Walker knew about Lincoln Hills, refused to even visit the facility and did absolutely nothing about it. Dozens of kids and staff were assaulted and abused because of his failure to lead. We cannot forget the fact that Walker refused to expand Medicaid, has cut preventive health care for thousands of Wisconsin women, and strongly supported eliminating the Affordable Care Act, which would kick thousands of Wisconsinites off their insurance, eliminate crucial protections for those with pre-existing conditions and increase health care costs for Wisconsin families. After 9 years of attacks on the Affordable Care Act, Republicans cannot be trusted to provide real protections to those with pre-existing conditions.

“Walker also has clearly not gotten the message about Foxconn. He is still trying to convince us that this $4 billion-dollar giveaway to a foreign corporation is a good deal. But everywhere I go in Wisconsin, I continue to be asked by our fellow Wisconsinites, “What about us?” This boondoggle will take billions of dollars away from our schools and roads to hire out-of-state workers, creating an enormous hole in our state budget. Yet once again, Walker is trying to rewrite history. Every week, we learn something new about this deal, and Wisconsin voters will not forget.

“Walker cannot paper over the damage he’s done to Wisconsin and the stark divisions he’s created in one speech. Enough is enough. I will bring our state together and take Wisconsin in a new direction.”

Walker’s out there speaking with carefully crafting statistics, but families don’t eat statistics, they eat food – food they have to pay for at grocery stores.

MILWAUKEE - The following is the statement of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andy Gronik with regards to Gov. Scott Walker’s record on job creation and the economy under his tutelage:

“Our economy is broken and Scott Walker broke it. Bottom line, if Walker were held to the same standards executives are held to in the private sector, he would be fired and he'd find it hard to land another job.

“While Walker’s out there speaking with carefully crafting statistics about Wisconsin’s economy, it’s clear to me that he’s oblivious to the fact that families don’t eat statistics, they eat food – food they have to pay for at grocery stores.  The reality is that in Walker’s economy, families are working two, three, or four jobs and still struggling to pay their rent. Parents are not seeing their kids, and these families can’t even dream about taking a vacation in our beautiful state. Well, that’s not a high quality of life and it's definitely not my Wisconsin!

“I spent 35 years in the real world helping struggling companies who often couldn’t go to a regular bank and borrow money. I helped them solve complex problems so they could access the money they needed to grow and create good-paying jobs. I did this by bringing people together, not dividing them like Walker. I’m interested in finding the very best ideas for solving the issues dividing our state and I don’t care where these ideas come from as long as they put the interests of people of our state, and the quality of their lives, first.

“My vision for the state builds on Wisconsin’s strengths and creates good-paying, family-sustaining jobs in science, technology, manufacturing, and agriculture. They open the door to opportunity for people living in poverty and empower them to live their lives independent of government assistance while energizing Wisconsin businesses with the skilled labor needed to grow their companies. Wisconsin has the infrastructure to claim world leadership in the industries supporting food production, packaging and distribution, freshwater and clean air technologies, and in renewable energy. We can bring families back to rural communities that Walker has left to die on the vine just by being who were are in Wisconsin, not by buying our way out by shoveling taxpayer money off to Foxconn.”

A closer look at Gov. Scott Walker's failures on the economy and job creation:

- 34th in the nation in private-sector job growth since 2010 [1]

- Missed out on more than 100,000 jobs due to private-sector job growth lagging behind the national average. [2]​

- Lagged behind the national pace of job growth at 7.9% from 2010 compared to 13.2% nationally over same period.[3]​

- Dead last in business start-up activity over the past three years. [4]​

- 10th most moved from state in the country. [5]​

- Created fewer jobs than neighboring Minnesota despite having a larger population. [6]​

- 11% unemployment rate for African-Americans in 2016. [7]​

- Stagnant wage growth. The median worker earns less than one dollar per hour more than the median worker earned nearly 40 years ago. [8]​

- True cost of Walker’s Foxconn Hail Mary is now around $4.5 billion. [9]​

- Even in the hypothetical projections offered by Foxconn, taxpayers don’t get paid back for this highly speculative investment until 2043. [10]

A closer look at Andy Gronik's vision for the economy and job creation in Wisconsin:

- Focus economic development initiatives with clearly defined goals and tactics;
- Reward cooperative economic development;
- Create regional jobs training programs that pay people a living wage to acquire the job skills needed to help grow Wisconsin businesses throughout our state;
- Invest in all forms of transportation infrastructure and in high-speed Internet and cellular technologies so Wisconsin communities are connected to business opportunities worldwide;
- Abolish WEDC that’s been squandering taxpayer money and the DWD that’s been ineffective at connecting Wisconsin businesses to the trained workers needed to grow and create one department without silos that energize our economy and maximizes the potential of every Wisconsinite to contribute to our new 21st-century economy;
- Expand access all layers of capital needed to support entrepreneurial success; 
- Reform corporate tax laws to promote the growth of small, medium and large businesses throughout our state;
- Establish regional governor’s boards of local entrepreneurs, bankers, attorneys, accountants and consultants to help incubate and grow successful new businesses;
- Bring Wisconsin businesses and Wisconsin’s systems of education together to enter into new ventures that leverage their collective brainpower, lower the cost of innovation and create opportunities to share in the success of profitable ventures 
- Establish 24/7 job concierge service to accelerate placement of qualified applicants with good-paying jobs
- Accelerate the skills training needed in Wisconsin by creating funnels with private-public partnerships with businesses hosting training facilities; union’s leveraging training facilities and apprenticeship programs; partnerships with Wisconsin technical schools; and expanding the capabilities and focus of Wisconsin’s two-year colleges
- Recruit young graduates back to our state by helping them pay back student debt;
- Make Wisconsin the place for Millennials by making them stakeholders in our future and creating the kinds of living and work environments young people want throughout our state.

Background:

[1] Wisconsin’s private sector job growth remains well behind the national pace of growth. Since December 2010, Wisconsin’s private-sector job base has grown 7.9 percent. Nationally, the private sector job base grew by 13.2 percent over the same period. Wisconsin private sector job growth over that period ranks 34th. This means two-thirds of the states in the nation posted stronger growth over the same period.” The State of Working Wisconsin 2017: Facts & Figures, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Laura Dresser and Joel Rogers, 8/31/17

[2]“The state is currently 120,000 jobs short of where we would be if we just grew at the national rate.” The State of Working Wisconsin 2017: Facts & Figures, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Laura Dresser and Joel Rogers, 8/31/17

[3] “Wisconsin’s private sector job growth remains well behind the national pace of growth. Since December 2010, Wisconsin’s private-sector job base has grown 7.9 percent. Nationally, the private sector job base grew by 13.2 percent over the same period.” The State of Working Wisconsin 2017: Facts & Figures, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Laura Dresser and Joel Rogers, 8/31/17

[4] “For the third year running, Wisconsin has placed 50th among the 50 states in startup activity as measured by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, one of the country’s leading entrepreneurship advocacy and research organizations. Not only was Wisconsin last; the gap between Wisconsin and the next-lowest states widened significantly from 2016 and 2015. While other states are clustered with relatively small differences from one state to the next, Wisconsin stands as an outlier – on the low end.”For third straight year, Wisconsin ranks last in business startup activity, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/18/17/

[5]  “Wisconsin has been named one of the most moved from states in 2017, according to a new study. The 2017 National Movers Study by United Van Lines says more people moved out of Wisconsin than into it in the last year — with 55 percent of moves being outbound.” Study: Wisconsin is 10th most moved-from state in 2017, Fox 6 Milwaukee, Megan Pospychala, 1/2/18

[6]  “In the 1990s, Wisconsin had nearly 200,000 more jobs than Minnesota. Minnesota has been closing the gap. In late 2016, for the first time, the number of jobs in the state of Minnesota exceeded Wisconsin.” The State of Working Wisconsin 2017: Facts & Figures, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Laura Dresser and Joel Rogers, 8/31/17

[7] “In 2016, Wisconsin’s African American unemployment rate was 11 percent – a rate higher than the state’s overall rate in the worse months of the Great Recession. The opportunities implied by the lower unemployment rates are not available to everyone.” The State of Working Wisconsin 2017: Facts & Figures, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Laura Dresser and Joel Rogers, 8/31/17

[8] “Compared to 1979, Wisconsin’s median worker today has more education and is working with more productive technology. Even with their higher education and productivity, however, that worker earns not even $1 per hour more than the median earned nearly 40 years ago.” The State of Working Wisconsin 2017: Facts & Figures, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Laura Dresser and Joel Rogers, 8/31/17

[9] “A newly released memo projects the public cost for a planned Foxconn manufacturing project near Racine could near $4.5 billion — nearly 50 percent more than the $3 billion cost initially cited by the project’s chief proponent at the state Capitol, Gov. Scott Walker.” Memo: Foxconn cost to public nearing $4.5 billion, Wisconsin State Journal, Mark Sommerhauser, 1/17/18

[10] ‘The state of Wisconsin wouldn't break even on its $3 billion incentive package for tech manufacturer Foxconn until the year 2043, according to an estimate released Tuesday by the Legislature's nonpartisan budget office.” Wisconsin Wouldn’t Break Even On Foxconn Deal Until 2043, Wisconsin Public Radio, Laurel White, 8/8/17

BROOKFIELD, WI - Former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus on Monday endorsed Leah Vukmir for her run against Sen. Tammy Baldwin for U.S. Senate.

“Thanks to Leah and so many other Republican leaders in Wisconsin, taxes are lower and more Wisconsinites are working than ever before. Leah is a proven leader who will stand with President Trump to help enact his bold, conservative agenda in Congress, and work to achieve security and prosperity for every American,” Priebus said. “It is imperative that Wisconsin elects the right Republican to beat Tammy Baldwin this year. Leah consistently demonstrates a willingness to fight for bold change for the middle-class, and she has what it takes to win in November. I am proud to stand with Leah because of her strong record as a conservative leader in Wisconsin.”

Priebus served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2011-2017, the longest tenure in modern history. Prior to that, he served as the General Counsel of the RNC and Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

“Reince’s great work and leadership helped elect President Trump in 2016, and send Wisconsin’s electoral votes to a Republican for the first time since 1984 with President Ronald Reagan,” Leah said. “As state chairman, he also led Republicans to monumental victories – winning the Governor’s mansion, and taking back both the state Assembly and state Senate – allowing us to implement historic conservative reforms. Reince knows exactly what it takes to win in Wisconsin, and I am honored to have his support for my Senate campaign.”

In addition to Priebus, Leah has a growing list of endorsements from Wisconsin leaders. She recently announced the support of more than 200 grassroots activists, business leaders and state and local elected officials who are backing her run.

****

Leah Vukmir is a nurse, military mom and conservative with a proven record of reform who is running to bring the Wisconsin Way to Washington. She currently serves as a state senator from Brookfield.

Candidate for Governor Mike McCabe wants full disclosure of donations, update of conflict of interest laws, to take redistricting out of the hands of elected officials, restore independent oversight, bring back civil service protections for government hiring, and end discriminatory voter suppression.

ALTOONA, WI - On Thursday, Wisconsin governor candidate Mike McCabe put forward a comprehensive plan for freeing state government from the clutches of cronyism, corruption and what amounts to legal bribery of state officials.

“Wisconsin was once known from coast to coast as a beacon of clean, open and honest government. Our state no longer deserves that reputation. I want a Wisconsin that is worthy of it again,” McCabe said.

Once elected, McCabe will seek approval of a package of reforms to:

* Create full disclosure of political donations and election spending, and set tighter limits on campaign contributions that are a quarter of what current state law allows.

* Update Wisconsin’s conflict of interest law to prevent state public officials from taking actions benefiting donors who have contributed more than $1,000 to their campaign committees or spent more than $5,000 on election advertising favoring the officials.

* Take redistricting out of the hands of elected officials who stand to benefit from the legislative district boundaries they draw and assign the task to an independent, nonpartisan legislative service agency in a process modeled after Iowa’s system.