We’re Busy!
This is the critical canvassing season. Canvassing on behalf of our candidates will continue this Saturday and Sunday. Phone Banking will be happening at the Democratic Party of Columbia County headquarters as well, 315 DeWitt St., Portage, WI 53901.

The CoCoDem picnic will go on, rain or shine, at the MacKenzie Environmental Center. In case of torrential rains, we will relocate to the Lodge. There will be folks present to help direct you to the correct location. Can not wait to see you tomorrow.

Much thanks for your flexibility and understanding,

JoEllen M. Pauls
Events Chair Democratic Party of Columbia County
Neighborhood Team Lead Progressive Columbus
https://www.cocodems.org/

CoCo Dems Chair Jim Haessly details how to pick up your Crowley/Godlewski campaign yard signs along with those of other party-approved candidates in this short YouTube video.

On August 22, 2026 Democratic Mequon, WI residents Martin Huennekens and Nicholas Lemus hosted a fundraising event at their home on Lake Michigan for Gubernatorial candidate David Crowley and CD6 candidate Brad Smith.

Longtime CD4 Representative Gwen Moore offers high praise for both candidates and some insightful history on David Crowley.

Chicago Singer Alexandra Kassouf's beautiful voice entranced the audience. BONUS footage at the end!

Canvassing is the number one way to influence voters. Won’t you help us get our Democratic candidates elected to office?

The Columbia County Democrats are excited to announce that we are launching our canvassing efforts out of our Portage office. With the November election approaching, this is a great opportunity for us to connect with our community and discuss the important issues that matter. We invite everyone to join us as we work together to make our voices heard and create meaningful change in our state. Let's continue to make an impact this election season!

This November, Wisconsin voters will decide whether to amend the Wisconsin Constitution. Constitutional amendments are different from ordinary legislation because they permanently change Wisconsin’s governing document and are significantly more difficult to modify in the future.

This anti-equity amendment would place new constitutional restrictions on how state and local governments may consider race, sex, ethnicity, and other protected characteristics in certain public activities. Pro-democracy groups argue it could limit policies and programs designed to address longstanding disparities.

The Democratic Party of Columbia County is excited to welcome Sam Clark, our new WisDems field organizer who is helping to build volunteer energy across Columbia County and neighboring communities.

Sam comes to this work from Madison, after previously living in New York. He says the decision to get involved came after realizing that a corporate job was not where he wanted to put his energy.

The Town of Dekorra has announced a special Town Board Meeting for Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM for discussion, public comment, and possible action on TBR-2026-03, a resolution stating the opposition of the Town of Dekorra, Columbia County, WI, to the proposed BECI 765Kv transmission line. Specifics follow.

Our Volunteer Spotlight this month is on Mark Stover. He’s a busy guy around the CoCo Dems office and elsewhere. Read all about it!

We are now including the ability to comment on a limited number of blog posts. Available staff volunteers precludes universal comments.

We recently completed the first of three surveys of our members and supporters, and one message came through loud and clear: 95% of respondents are very concerned about the direction of our country.

What’s weighing most heavily on their minds? Three issues rose to the top:

Editor’s Note: Democratic WI CD 6 Candidate Brad Smith, who is running to unseat the Republican incumbent Glenn Grothman, is all over the proposed BECI 765-kV transmission line that will hugely affect our area if approved.

Brad was at the Midcontinent Grid Solutions (MGS) “Open House” in Poynette on Tuesday, Aug. 25. He listened. He crunched the numbers. He lined up what they were saying with what they were showing. The MGS explanation doesn’t add up. Brad explains it here.

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.

Columbia County residents should know about a fast-moving proposal for a massive new 765-kV transmission line that could affect farms, communities, and scenic landscapes. Columbia County Board member Tess Carr explains what is known, why the route matters, and how local voices can weigh in before key public comment deadlines arrive soon. (Photo simulation by Tim Escher.)

In honor of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and a rally to support our right to vote, Lodi Forward Plans August 29 rally; seeks volunteers, participants.

We present a three-part video series on volunteerism that features three prominent members of the community: The two Democratic candidates for the Wisconsin Congressional District Six representative position Amanda Bell and Brad Smith, (currently held by Glenn Grothman) and Wisconsin 42nd Assembly Representative Maureen McCarville. All three interviews are posted and available now.

The Democratic Party of Columbia County (CoCo Dems) welcomed the Forward For Wisconsin Tour to its headquarters in Portage on Friday, August 14, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. The packed house heard from Democratic candidates David Crowley for Governor, Sarah Godlewski for Lieutenant Governor, JoCasta Zamarripa for Secretary of State, Yee Leng Xiong for State Treasurer and WI Assembly Representatives Karen DeSanto and Maureen McCarville. Click for the picture gallery.

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.