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Edwards Campaign Press Release - Edwards Gains Support Across Wisconsin, Launches "True Blue Majority" Campaign To Lead Democrats To Victory In 2008

October 18, 2007

Democratic leaders in Wisconsin explain why Edwards' strength at the top of the ticket will motivate swing voters, helping Democrats maintain and expand their majority in Congress and win in down-ballot races in Wisconsin and across the nation

Madison, Wisconsin – As part of a new "True Blue Majority" campaign launching this week, today Democratic leaders from Wisconsin held a conference call with reporters, where they discussed their endorsement of Senator John Edwards for president. During the call, the endorsements of more than twenty prominent Wisconsin Party leaders and elected officials were unveiled, including Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke and Wisconsin State Representatives Frank Boyle, Kim Hixson and Josh Zepnick. The new Edwards endorsements build on a list of 17 Wisconsin supporters unveiled earlier this year, including State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, former Governor Tony Earl, and Congressman David Obey, Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Edwards has now been endorsed by more than 40 prominent Democratic leaders in the state.

"It is so important that we nominate a candidate who will motivate swing voters in battleground states, like Wisconsin, to support the Democratic Party in 2008," said Wisconsin State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass. "Poll after poll in the red and battleground states shows Edwards to be the strongest Democratic challenger in a general election match-up with the leading Republicans. Edwards' strength at the top of the ticket will help Democrats not only to take back the White House, but also to maintain and expand our majorities in Congress and state legislatures. And his coattails will help lead Democrats to victory in hundreds of other down-ballot races at the state and local level as well." "We need a leader who can compete anywhere in America and win," said Joe Wineke, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. "Some pundits say that a Democrat can't win in some places in the South, Midwest or West. But they're wrong. The right Democratic presidential nominee – one who shares our values, understands our issues and offers real and bold solutions – can win these states. That candidate is John Edwards."

"The American people are tired of being ignored by the folks in Washington. The people who want real change in this nation don't just live in blue states or in swing states – they live in every state in this country and on every street in America," said Edwards. "I am committed to spreading a message of real change in every single state in this country. As the Democratic nominee, I will go to the places like small towns in Wisconsin that politicians usually ignore, and I will work to get Democrats elected to Congress, governorships and state legislatures all across this country."

The following Wisconsin leaders have endorsed John Edwards for president*:

  • Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Joe Wineke
  • State Representative Frank Boyle
  • State Representative Kim Hixson
  • State Representative Josh Zepnick
  • Wisconsin Democratic Party 2nd Vice Chair, Winnebago County Chair Jef Hall
  • Wisconsin Democratic Party Secretary Angela Sutkiewicz
  • 8th Congressional District Administrative Committee Dottie LeClair
  • 1st Congressional District Chair Ray Rivera
  • 2nd CD Vice Chair, Dane County Democratic Party Executive Board Member, Peter Rickman
  • Former Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Dane County Democratic Party Executive Board member Don Jones
  • Former Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democratic Party Steve Kean
  • Dane County Democratic Party Chair Wayne Bigelow
  • Columbia County Democratic Party Chair Sara Lloyd
  • Fond du Lac County Democratic Party Chair Rich Mantz
  • Rock County Democratic Party Chair Tim Rutter
  • Waukesha County Democratic Party Chair Vic Weers
  • Washburn County Democratic Party Chair Susan Hansen
  • Portage County Democratic Party Co-Chair, 7th CD Administrative Committee Member, Greg Hawley
  • Portage County Democratic Party Co-Chair Lois Lawler
  • Former Democratic Nominee for the 5th Congressional District Bryan Kennedy
  • Lake Geneva City Council Member, Alderman Mary Jo Fessenmaier
  • Portage County Democratic Party Executive Board Member Charlene Figge
  • Marquette County Democratic Party Chair Jan Banicki

The following Wisconsin leaders have also endorsed Senator Edwards for president:

  • Congressman and Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee David Obey
  • State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass
  • Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz
  • Former Governor Tony Earl
  • Public Service Commissioner Mark Meyer
  • State Senator and Co-Chair of the Committee on Joint Finance Russ Decker
  • State Senator Jon Erpenbach
  • State Senator Bob Jauch
  • State Senator John Lehman
  • State Senator Bob Wirch
  • State Representative Jennifer Shilling
  • State Representative and Former Majority Leader David Travis
  • State Representative Amy Sue Vruwink
  • State Representative Sondy Pope-Roberts
  • State Representative Donna Seidel
  • State Representative Mike Sheridan, UAW Local 95 President
  • 2nd Vice Chair of State Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Dottie LeClair

*Please note: Endorsements are personal. Titles and positions are listed for identification purposes only.

John Edwards, Edwards Campaign Press Release - Edwards Gains Support Across Wisconsin, Launches "True Blue Majority" Campaign To Lead Democrats To Victory In 2008 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/294176

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