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 were interviewed on 08-02-26 at the CoCo Dems booth at the Columbia County Fair. First up is Brad Smith. Amanda’s interview will be posted shortly, with Maureen’s to follow.

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 were interviewed on 08-02-26 at the CoCo Dems booth at the Columbia County Fair. First up is Brad Smith. Amanda’s interview will be posted shortly, with Maureen’s to follow. Click the picture to play this video.

Join us for the Columbia County Democrats volunteer recruitment phone bank! We're reaching out to fellow Democrats to inspire them to get involved in direct voter contact. Every call is a step towards mobilizing our community and pushing back against Trump and his allies.

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.

At the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Convention, held this past June 13 through 14 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, WI, delegates were presented with training workshops on a variety of subjects. One which I attended was “Voter Protection 101: Protecting the Vote, Securing the Dream.”

I envisioned a rundown of strategies for dealing with Federal agents at the polls, legal strategies to combat suppression, and other dark and foreboding issues. They did address these issues, but not how I expected.

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.