WISCONSIN’S CHOICE CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES FINAL VOTE RESULTS ON DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE

Effective grassroots campaign engages thousands of voters across state to support candidate to take on Scott Walker

MILWAUKEE -- Over 5,000 voters participated in the final round of the Wisconsin’s Choice campaign voting, rallying behind Democratic gubernatorial candidates Mike McCabe, Mahlon Mitchell, Kelda Roys, and Kathleen Vinehout. In order to be endorsed as the People’s Champion by the Wisconsin’s Choice campaign, a candidate had to receive over 50 percent of the vote; none of the final candidates reached this bar, which was set to ensure that an endorsement would only be made if there was consensus from the grassroots. The Wisconsin’s Choice campaign will continue between now and the August 14th primary, with Wisconsinites -- who’ve pledged over 50,000 volunteer hours -- working on the four campaigns. Activities will include hosting house parties, door-knocking, making phone calls, and texting voters to educate them about the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to take on current Republican governor Scott Walker.

“We set out eight months ago with the goals of engaging voters to take on the Walker agenda, helping voters discern between candidates in a crowded field, and centering our values and key issues in the gubernatorial race. We succeeded on all these fronts. We’ve built a giant, diverse, grassroots army of activists who have committed over 50,000 hours of action to take on the Scott Walker agenda and win. The next step includes multiplying our strength and engaging more people in the effort to harness voter’s deep desire to change the leadership in our state,” said Marina Dimitrijevic, Executive Director of Wisconsin Working Families Party.

Wisconsin’s Choice kicked off last December, and since that time has organized more than ten candidate forums and dozens of house parties all across the state in order to raise up issues that matter to everyday Wisconsinites, like providing healthcare to all residents, ensuring the safety of the immigrant community, tackling the climate crisis, reforming the criminal justice system, and raising wages and building worker power. The group will continue working through election day on November 6th to keep working families issues front and center in the gubernatorial race.

“Our Final Four candidates made it through to the third round for a reason: they inspired voters around a core set of issues and motivated a broad range of support. Between now and the August 14th primary, we’ll be encouraging thousands of Wisconsin’s Choice volunteers to get out there on behalf of these four candidates. We are working so that one of our candidates comes through the primary, but regardless the outcome, we will continue our work to engage and activate voters around our core issues through November,” said Sarah Lloyd, co-chair of Our Wisconsin Revolution.

Statements on the Wisconsin’s Choice results:

Mahlon Mitchell - "The Wisconsin People's Choice campaign, whether the forums, events or grassroots activism, is a reminder of just how important this election is to all Wisconsinites, and I'm thankful for the support I've received throughout this process. Voters across our state are ready for leadership that will fight for socioeconomic, racial, and environmental justice and create a Wisconsin that our children will be proud of. I am fueled by the enthusiasm of working people across our state who are eager for a progressive champion and who are laying the groundwork to win in November."

Kelda Roys - "Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign to restore opportunity and fairness to Wisconsin by voting, spreading the word, and participating in virtual parties. Thanks also to the many folks who made Wisconsin's Choice possible - your work is informing, energizing, and engaging voters across Wisconsin. I'm thrilled that our campaign made it through all three rounds of Wisconsin's Choice. We're more confident than ever that we have the momentum, the resources, and the statewide strength to win in both August and November - and come January, to lead Wisconsin into a fairer, more progressive future!"

Kathleen Vinehout - "It will take everyone who participated in Wisconsin’s Choice and volunteered to work in the election to beat their money in November. Together we can do it."

Angela Lang, Executive Director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities -  "BLOC was happy to work with and participate in Wisconsin's Choice process to find the people's champion for governor. This process allowed us to ask questions and demand that our issues are addressed at the forefront. With so many great candidates, now more than ever, they need to continue to reframe and reimagine civic engagement and how they continue to interact with the Black community. We look forward to them really earning our vote come August and ultimately in November."