Gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke is expected to get a lot of attention at the Democratic Party Convention this weekend
Optimism, as the Democratic Party of Wisconsin holds its annual state convention this weekend.
Democratic leaders and delegates from throughout Wisconsin gather in Wisconsin Dells to, according to a party spokesperson, reaffirm the party’s core values, show support for their candidates, and focus on winning elections.
Melissa Baldauff is communications director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “As we gather at the convention to mark another year and take a step toward the future, I think that Democrats are just really filled with optimism and excitement for the new direction that Mark Burke is going to take our state in.”
Mary Burke — a former Trek bicycle executive and former state commerce secretary — is this year’s keynote speaker at the event and the likely gubernatorial candidate to challenge Governor Scott Walker in November.
Baldauff says the big issues at the annual meeting are familiar issues. “We’re going to be talking about committing ourselves to raising the minimum wage … we’re going to be talking about addressing the student loan debt crisis … we’re going to be talking about pay equity … marriage equality … and really the same issues we’ve been fighting for.”
Democrats will also consider resolutions on recreational marijuana, a single-payer health care system, and a carbon tax.
State Republicans met last month in Milwaukee.
In addition to Burke, convention speakers will also include U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore, Ron Kind, Mark Pocan and special guest speaker David Simas, a senior polling strategist on President Obama’s 2012 campaign.