Thread by @benwikler

THREAD: 2020 showed how the long-term survival of American democracy depends on Wisconsin.

The next two years—crucial, history-shaping Gov & Senate races, redistricting, more—require a party fighting year-round. Be a part of it. Become a monthly donor: wisdems.org/2021

We beat Trump here by 20,682 votes. The 4th time, out of the last 6 races, where the presidential margin has been under 1%. (No other state’s done this more than twice.) We won by starting early, building relationships, working flat out, year-round. We can’t lose that lesson.

Now, we’re in deep debrief mode, listening to local candidates & county parties, drawing lessons from the data and our staff & volunteers who’ve been on the front lines.

One thing that’s crystal clear: now is not the time to demobilize. This fight will only ramp up.

Governor Evers is up in 2022. He’s a champion of education, health care, roads, science, jobs—and an ally of working families, across race and geography. Families are under attack by the GOP. Evers won by 1.1% in 2018. We’ll reelect him in 2022 by taking nothing for granted.

Ron Johnson is, arguably, America’s worst senator. He insults the intelligence & integrity of the public at every turn. In 2016, he won w/ one of narrowest margins in the US. Defeating him in ‘22 could tip control of the Senate. We’ll hold him to account for two years—& beat him.

Those two marquee fights will require intensive laying of groundwork at a time when the GOP will be trying to mount a 2010-style backlash.

This year, we built relationships with leaders and the grassroots all over the state. We need to keep growing them—keep organizing.

And those high-stakes battles are far from the end of our to-do list.

First up in 2021 is a battle to pass the next biennial budget. This is the crux of everything we fight for—from schools to health care to clean air and water. The budget determines what we can or can’t fund.

Governor Evers is set to deliver his budget address in February.

After that, it’s up to us—because it’ll be our job to push the GOP-controlled legislature and make sure the public knows who’s on who’s side.

We’ll be organizing for a government that helps WI thrive.

Alongside the budget is the fight for fair maps.

@GovEvers created a Fair Maps Commission to ensure that Wisconsinites voices are heard in the redistricting process.

The GOP *should* use the Commission’s recommendation.

Let’s push them to do it. thehill.com/homenews/state…

If the GOP insists on drawing gerrymandered maps again in the redistricting process, Governor Evers can veto them. And because we blocked GOP supermajorities, the veto would hold. Then maps could depend on the courts. We’ll lift up voices for fairness at every step.

And in the midst of all this, Wisconsin will hold spring elections on April 6, 2021—with critical local races and a statewide Superintendent of Public Instruction race. (That’s @GovEvers’s old job.) We can’t let the GOP grab local power. Time to build the bench for democracy.

We’ll have more local elections in spring 2022. And in the fall of ‘22, new maps could yield competitive races for state Assembly, Senate, and Congress.

The mantra “every race in every place” (thx @washdems) comes to mind. Strong state parties lift all boats.

Holding on to the governorship, booting Ron Johnson, and building the bench at every level requires a superpower: You.

Year-round organizing. It requires volunteers, and staff to support them. Staff requires resources. Monthly gifts help us plan.

We’re building the most ambitious off-year and mid-term plan in our party’s history. The stakes remain enormous. (Not least because what happens in ‘22 shapes the presidential in ‘24.)

This is the moment—not to step back, but to dig in. Can you be part of it?

The GOP wants to take back power. It’s all they seem to think about. But with your help, we’ll be ready.

We’re in this fight for the long haul. Are you? Can you donate every month? Sign up here: wisdems.org/2021