Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is the affiliate of the Democratic Party
in Wisconsin
. As of 2009, it is headed by state party chairman Mike Tate
, who is the youngest chairman of a state party.
held sway for almost 100 years.Jacksonian democracy
was strong in Wisconsin in the early days, and until 1856 all territorial and state governors were Democrats, except for one Whig. In 1854, however, a coalition of Whigs, antislavery Democrats, and Free Soilers formed a Republican Party in the state—a key event in the establishment of the national Republican Party. Republicans quickly gained control of most elective offices; from 1856 to 1959 there were only three Democratic governors. The Republican Party was dominated in the late 19th century by conservatives, who were sympathetic to the railroads and the lumbering industry but whose stands on pensions and jobs for Union veterans and ability to win federal funds for the state attracted support from farmers and small business. Then, in the 1890s, Progressives within the party, led by Robert La Follette, began a successful battle for control that culminated in La Follette's election as governor in 1900.
For the most part the Republican Party and many of its progressive policies, led by La Follette had a rather large influence within the state. Republicans would have a large influence within the state until the post World War II era. The Republicans were challenged after the war by a new state Democratic party whose leaders espoused a liberal ideology consistent with that of the national party. The new Wisconsin Democratic party whose leaders espoused a liberal ideology consistent with that of the national party. The new Wisconsin Democratic party was also similar to the party nationally in terms of the sectors of the population from which it drew its support. The Democrats achieved their first post-war statewide electoral victory with the election of William Proxmire
to the Senate in a special election 1957. In 1974, the party gained control of both houses of the legislature for the first time since 1932.
Wisconsin in the 1980s and early 1990s was characterized by competitive two-party politics for control of the governorship, other state constitutional offices, the state legislature, and U.S. Senate seats.
caused much controversy within the Democratic Party and the state of Wisconsin. Large protests ensued some of the largest in the state of Wisconsin's history protesting the stripping of many workers bargaining rights. This also prompted the famous "Wisconsin 14", a group of State Senators who fled the state to halt the vote on the bill. The fourteen included: Tim Carpenter, Spencer Coggs, Tim Cullen, John Eprenbach, Dave Hansen, Jim Holperin, Robert Jauch, Chris Larson, Julie Lassa, Mark MIller, Fred Risser, Lena Taylor, Kathleen Vinehout, and Robert Wirch. Due to much of the controversy that this bill has brought, as of November 2011, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has began a movement for the recall of Governor Scott Walker.
.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. As of 2009, it is headed by state party chairman Mike Tate
Mike Tate
Michael Tate is an American politician, currently serving as the Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.- Early life :Tate was born on March 8, 1979 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, who is the youngest chairman of a state party.
History
The Democratic Party dominated politics until the late 1850s; then the newly founded Republican PartyRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
held sway for almost 100 years.Jacksonian democracy
Jacksonian democracy
Jacksonian democracy is the political movement toward greater democracy for the common man typified by American politician Andrew Jackson and his supporters. Jackson's policies followed the era of Jeffersonian democracy which dominated the previous political era. The Democratic-Republican Party of...
was strong in Wisconsin in the early days, and until 1856 all territorial and state governors were Democrats, except for one Whig. In 1854, however, a coalition of Whigs, antislavery Democrats, and Free Soilers formed a Republican Party in the state—a key event in the establishment of the national Republican Party. Republicans quickly gained control of most elective offices; from 1856 to 1959 there were only three Democratic governors. The Republican Party was dominated in the late 19th century by conservatives, who were sympathetic to the railroads and the lumbering industry but whose stands on pensions and jobs for Union veterans and ability to win federal funds for the state attracted support from farmers and small business. Then, in the 1890s, Progressives within the party, led by Robert La Follette, began a successful battle for control that culminated in La Follette's election as governor in 1900.
For the most part the Republican Party and many of its progressive policies, led by La Follette had a rather large influence within the state. Republicans would have a large influence within the state until the post World War II era. The Republicans were challenged after the war by a new state Democratic party whose leaders espoused a liberal ideology consistent with that of the national party. The new Wisconsin Democratic party whose leaders espoused a liberal ideology consistent with that of the national party. The new Wisconsin Democratic party was also similar to the party nationally in terms of the sectors of the population from which it drew its support. The Democrats achieved their first post-war statewide electoral victory with the election of William Proxmire
William Proxmire
Edward William Proxmire was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a United States Senator from Wisconsin from 1957 to 1989.-Personal life:...
to the Senate in a special election 1957. In 1974, the party gained control of both houses of the legislature for the first time since 1932.
Wisconsin in the 1980s and early 1990s was characterized by competitive two-party politics for control of the governorship, other state constitutional offices, the state legislature, and U.S. Senate seats.
Controversy
In February 2011 the Republican-controlled state congress, proposed the "2011 Wisconsin budget repair bill" also endorsed by Governor Scott WalkerScott Walker
Scott Walker may refer to:*Scott Walker , Governor of Wisconsin, and former county executive of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin*Scott Walker , boxer...
caused much controversy within the Democratic Party and the state of Wisconsin. Large protests ensued some of the largest in the state of Wisconsin's history protesting the stripping of many workers bargaining rights. This also prompted the famous "Wisconsin 14", a group of State Senators who fled the state to halt the vote on the bill. The fourteen included: Tim Carpenter, Spencer Coggs, Tim Cullen, John Eprenbach, Dave Hansen, Jim Holperin, Robert Jauch, Chris Larson, Julie Lassa, Mark MIller, Fred Risser, Lena Taylor, Kathleen Vinehout, and Robert Wirch. Due to much of the controversy that this bill has brought, as of November 2011, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has began a movement for the recall of Governor Scott Walker.
Current elected officials
The Wisconsin Democratic Party controls one of the five statewide offices. Wisconsin's legislature has a senate with 33 members and an assembly with 99 members. The state elects two senators and eight representatives to the U.S. Congress and has ten electoral votes. The Wisconsin Democratic Party currently holds one of the two national senate seats, which is occupied by Herb KohlHerb Kohl
Herbert H. "Herb" Kohl is the senior U.S. Senator from Wisconsin and a member of the Democratic Party. He is also a philanthropist and the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks National Basketball Association team...
.
State
- Secretary of StateSecretary of State (U.S. state government)Secretary of State is an official in the state governments of 47 of the 50 states of the United States, as well as Puerto Rico and other U.S. possessions. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, this official is called the Secretary of the Commonwealth...
: Douglas LaFollette
Federal
- U.S. Senate
- Herb KohlHerb KohlHerbert H. "Herb" Kohl is the senior U.S. Senator from Wisconsin and a member of the Democratic Party. He is also a philanthropist and the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks National Basketball Association team...
- Herb Kohl
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Tammy BaldwinTammy BaldwinTammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, serving since 1999. She is a member of the Democratic Party. In September 2011, Baldwin announced she would be a candidate in the 2012 U.S...
, 2nd DistrictWisconsin's 2nd congressional districtWisconsin's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in southern Wisconsin, covering Dane County, Green County and Columbia County, as well as portions of Jefferson County, Sauk County, Rock County and a small region of Walworth County... - Ron KindRon KindRonald James "Ron" Kind is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse and Eau Claire and Platteville....
, 3rd DistrictWisconsin's 3rd congressional districtWisconsin's 3rd congressional district is a U.S. congressional district covering much of southwestern and western Wisconsin; it is the second-largest congressional district by area in Wisconsin... - Gwen MooreGwen MooreGwendolynne Sophia Moore is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. She is a member of the Democratic Party.The district is based in Milwaukee and also includes South Milwaukee, Cudahy and St. Francis, and part of West Allis. She is the first woman to represent the district...
, 4th DistrictWisconsin's 4th congressional districtWisconsin's 4th congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin, encompassing a part of Milwaukee County and including all of the city of Milwaukee and its working-class suburbs of Cudahy, St. Francis, South Milwaukee, West Milwaukee,...
- Tammy Baldwin