At his Columbus fundraiser this past Sunday, August 23, Democratic CD 6 Candidate Brad Smith and WI Assembly District Representative Maureen McCarville talked extensively about the MGS/BECI 765 transmission line (Becky) slated for our area.

Brad caught up with Dekorra resident and CoCo Dems member RDell Johnson to talk about the impact of the project on our area. As a teacher in the Sauk Prairie School District, RDell is especially concerned about the impact of the transmission line on the rural school where teaches.

Join Brad Smith in Columbus Wisconsin this Sunday, August 23 at American Legion Post 62 hosted by Bill and Liz O'Donnell with Special Guest State Representative Maureen McCarville.

This is a great opportunity to meet Brad, hear more about the campaign, and connect with neighbors who are ready for new leadership in Wisconsin’s 6th District.

Join the Columbia County Democrats in Columbus, Lodi, and Portage as we rally for our local candidates after the recent primaries! Now that our leaders are chosen, it’s time to inform our community about who will be on the ballot. We need your energy to champion our candidates and their vision for a brighter future, especially against divisive ideas and outside influences.

On Thursday, Aug. 6 Coco Dems was pleased to welcome Wisconsin State Treasurer Candidate Dylan Helmenstine to Coffee and Conversation. After a brief personal history Helmenstine got into his vision of what Wisconsin should be doing better for its citizens, especially on issues surrounding education. His deep understanding of the issues and impressive background was generated some great questions and discussion with those attending the event.

Have you discovered Columbia County Progress? It’s the podcast series produced by the Democratic Party of Columbia county where we listen, learn, and look ahead together. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with community members, local leaders, elected officials, and candidates about the real issues facing our county—from health care access to job creation, from school funding to the environment, and more.

This Tuesday, August 11 is election day for the Democratic primary election in Wisconsin. We found this great little article in the newsletter from the Waukesha County Democratic Party that offers a few pointers and answers a few questions about voting in this Tuesday’s election.

Arlene and Hiroshi Kanno are long time CoCo Dem members. It’s fascinating to read about where they’ve been and ended up in Columbia County. There contribution of time, sweat, and treasure to Democratic causes should inspire us all.

You are invited to join the CoCo Dems at the Susie the Duck Day parade in Lodi this Saturday!.

A guide to CoCo Dem events in July and beyond.

We are looking to fill a couple of shifts at the CoCo Dems office for July 17 and July 25. If you’re interested, please read on.

More information here.

There is a new organization based in Lodi called Lodi Forward. Who is Lodi Forward, and what are we about?

Lodi Forward is an inclusive group of proactive residents promoting the common good while moving our community toward a more just and equitable future.

Long time Democratic advocate and hard working volunteer for the cause, Mary Ellen Ruesch talks about her past, getting involved with the democratic party, and how coming full circle is discovered by happenstance.

The Columbia County Fair is coming up July 29th–August 2nd, and we need you to help make it a success. Please sign up today to volunteer for a shift at the Fair.

The Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, alongside advocacy partners like the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is launching a coordinated statewide day of action on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The "Our Maps, Our Say" rallies will bring the public's demand for fair maps straight to the Legislature's doorstep.

A new local organization, Lodi Forward, is being introduced in the community as an inclusive group focused on civic engagement and local participation.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin (WisDems)is hiring a full-time 72 County Coordinator to support local party units in Wisconsin’s 2nd, 5th, or 6th Congressional Districts. The role focuses on helping county and local party organizations grow through training, communication, coordination, membership support, candidate recruitment, and distribution of campaign materials.

In this Columbia County Progress podcast episode, viewers hear a detailed conversation about CAFOs—concentrated animal feeding operations—and the questions they raise for local communities.

The discussion does not present this as a simple fight between “farm” and “anti-farm.” Instead, it focused on how to support agriculture while also protecting water, public health, nearby residents, and the long-term quality of life in Columbia County and across Wisconsin.

This is a great book for understanding the most troubling parts of our societal fracture, how they came to be, and what steps each of us can take to heal the moment.

One of the most effective ways to win elections is also one of the most personal: talking with people you already know. That strategy is called friend banking, and it is a simple, powerful form of relational organizing. On Wednesday, June 10, from 5:00-6:30, CoCo Dems will host a Friend Bank Training at the CoCoDems Office, 315 DeWitt St, Portage to help volunteers learn how to put that strategy into action.