Welcome to The Midterms Minute: a look at the candidates and races that you need to know about, shout about and support to make sure we have a blue tsunami on November 6th. (Quick links at bottom of the page.)
But before we get into the primary races today, we want to direct your attention to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s campaign to block the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. SPLC has identified 6 key senators whose votes could make the difference. They are asking you to call each of them weekly until the confirmations hearings begin.
Those Senators include:
Republican Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
Republican Susan Collins of Maine
...and four politically vulnerable Democrats in deep red states:
Joe Donnelly of Indiana
Joe Manchin of West Virginia
Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota
and Doug Jones of Alabama.
Even if they're not your Senators, we need to flood their phone lines to make sure they understand what’s at stake. Encourage others to do the same by sharing this on social media with the hashtag #WhatsAtStake.
Now, on to the primaries, which are basically a practice run for civic action head of November.
Last episode, we featured Hawaii’s primaries on August 11th and of the August 14th primaries, we spotlighted Minnesota. If you missed it, check out the segment in episode #1196 or visit the blog post. Wisconsin, Connecticut and Vermont also have primaries on August 14th, and today, we’re diving into Wisconsin.
AUGUST 14th
WISCONSIN (Reg. Deadlines - Primary: Post-marked by July 25th, or in-person by Aug 10th / General: post-marked by Oct. 17th, in-person by Nov. 2nd)
1st District: Change is already in the air in Wisconsin. Democrats soundly won two important state seats in red districts earlier this year. In Wisconsin’s 1st district, Justice Democrat and ironworker Randy Bryce is up against teacher Cathy Myers to run for Paul Ryan’s seat in November. These two candidates have very similar platforms, but Bryce - also known as the “Iron Stache” - was the candidate endorsed by Bernie Sanders and the United Auto Workers, among others. It recently came to light that Bryce was arrested multiple times for various offenses 20 years ago. Bryce has written a response.
7th District: In Wisconsin’s 7th district, two candidates are vying for the chance to take on four-term Republican Representative Sean Duffy. Veteran and lawyer Margaret Engebretson is running on a platform including single-payer, while her opponent wants a public option. Engebretson has been endorsed by the national advocacy group Demand Universal Healthcare.
Governor: This November, Wisconsin has a real chance to unseat anti-union, dark-money-puppet Scott Walker from his governorship once and for all. As a reminder, whoever holds the office will be involved in the state’s redistricting process following the 2020 Census. Former State Superintendent, Tony Evers, is leading in the Democratic primary polls. His campaign is focusing on unity and liberal policies, like the end of solitary confinement and adopting automatic voter registration. But candidate Mike McCabe - who is polling at only 5.5% right now - is refusing individual donations over $200, wants to test run a basic income program, and make the state healthcare an option for everyone. Bernie Sanders has said nice things about him, but hasn’t officially endorsed his campaign yet.
Important Dates: If you're a Wisconsin resident, to vote in the primaries your registration must be post-marked by July 25th, or you can register in-person by August 10th. More Wisconsin voting info.
We want to emphasize registration cut off dates and absentee ballot request and submission dates are different for each state, sometimes even each county. We highly suggest reviewing your state’s information, and voter ID laws, at rockthevote.org as soon as possible to ensure you will be able to vote in both the primary and general elections.
So, if building the bluest of blue waves is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about supporting progressive candidates across the country via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.
THE MIDTERMS MINUTE (QUICK LINKS):
Take Action with SPLC's #WhatsAtStake SCOTUS Campaign:
Stop Kavanaugh: SPLC's list of 6 Senators and their contact information
RSVP to call these Senators weekly until the confirmation hearings
Midterms Resources:
Check on candidates endorsed by Justice Democrats | Brand New Congress | DSA | Latino Victory | Our Revolution
Check your state registration deadlines and voter ID laws with rockthevote.org
For an easy way to donate to candidates, check out DownTicket.com on your mobile browser.
“15 Ways to Help a Campaign Win Their Election” (Political Charge)
August 14th Primaries:
Wisconsin (Reg. Deadlines - Primary: Post-marked by July 25th, or in-person by Aug 10th / General: post-marked by Oct. 17th, in-person by Nov. 2nd)
U.S. House - 1st District: Randy Bryce vs. Cathy Myers
Star Tribune Article on Bryce’s arrests & Bryce’s response
U.S. House - 4th District: Incumbent Gwen Moore will very likely win her primary.
U.S. House - 7th District: Margaret Engebretson
Governor: Tony Evers | Mike McCabe
Heads Up! General Nov. 6th: U.S. Senate - Incumbent Tammy Baldwin is running for reelection in Nov. and facing $8.5 million in conservative money against her.
Due to time, the following states either have been *featured already or will be soon:
*Minnesota (Reg. Deadlines - Primaries: Online: July 24th, In person: Until August 14th / General: Oct. 9th)
U.S. House - 5th District: Ilhan Omar
U.S. House - 8th District: Michelle Lee
U.S. Senate (Dem. Primary for Nov. Special Election) - Tina Smith
Governor (Dem. Primary) - Erin Murphy
*Connecticut (Reg. Deadlines - Primaries: Online & mail-in: Received by Aug. 9th / General: Oct. 30th)
Governor (Dem. Primary) - Ned Lamont
5th District (Dem. Primary) - Jahana Hayes (Heads up! Republicans are vying for this seat in November.)
Heads up! General Nov. 6th - U.S House - 2nd District - One large county in District 2 pivoted for Trump in 2016. Incumbent Dem. Joe Courtney will run against Republican Dan Postemski in the general.
*Vermont (Reg. Deadlines - Primaries: Aug. 14th / General: Nov. 6th)
U.S. House (statewide Rep.) (Dem. Primary) - Daniel Freilich (Read about incumbent Pat Welch corruption)
Governor - Christine Hallquist vs. James Ehlers vs. Ethan Sonneborn
U.S. Senate - Bernie Sanders
Posted July 17, 2018; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman
Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1197: Showing up at the last minute to fight for the Supreme Court
