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OCTOBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
Needed! Can you help transport people back from Sonnetag Center to their cars after the Homecoming Parade on Sat? If you can help, call the DRC - 715-852-0330 or text Sharon Dillon - 715-559-4588.
Upcoming Calling anyone willing to work the Polls in 2026! Help protect democracy! Submit Your Name for 2026-2027 - NOW! (Details Below)
Oct. 4, UWEC 100th Homecoming Parade, Dems will be in Parade. (Details Below)
Oct. 7, 8:30-11:30am - Local Candidate Training Workshop - Signup Deadline TODAY, Oct 2 (Details Below)
Oct. 7, 6-8pm, Pub Night with Progressives, Lazy Monk(Details Below)
Oct. 8, 7-8:15pm CT, Organizing at the Crossroads, Zoom (Details Below) Oct. 11-12, Eau Claire Hmong New Year (Details Below) Oct. 13, 10am & Oct. 14, 5pm - Volunteer Orientation (Details below) Oct. 15 - Learn To Disagree "Better" Session (Details Below)
Oct. 28, Chris for Justice Fundraiser-4:30pm-6pm. (Details Below)
Ongoing
Every Wednesday- People's Protest - Eau Claire, 4pm-5:30pm (Details Below)
Every Thursday - Coffee Klatch 10am-12pm, DRC. All are welcome. (Details Below) 10.9.25 - Angela Stokes, Dr. Tim Nordin 10.16.25 - WI Gov. Candid Kelda Roys
Chippewa Valley Indivisible, Thursdays, 5:30-7pm, Chippewa Falls (Details Below)
Volunteer at Sojourner House - 2nd Sunday monthly, 6:30-8:30pm - Info Here ACLU- Chippewa Valley Chapter- Every other Wed, 6p,-7pm, Spirit Lutheran Church (Details Below)Every Thursday, 4pm - Defend Democracy Rally, Peace Circle, Chippewa Falls
JOIN EAU CLAIRE COUNTY DEMS IN UWEC 100th HOMECOMING PARADE
Saturday, October 4, 2025. New parade route this year!
Promote EAU CLAIRE COUNTY DEMOCRATS & CELEBRATE 100 HOMECOMINGS by walking, riding, skating, or biking with us in the UWEC Parade. Our “float” is Bob’s trailer filled with bales for riders, and decorated with banners, flags, and signs, and pulled by Sen. Jeff Smith’s infamous “stop and talk” truck. This year, Dems will be handing out U.S. flags instead of candy.
ATTIRE: Wear your DEM T-shirts or Patriotic gear. (We have LOTS of BLUE ECCD shirts in the Dem Resource Center. Stop in and get yours in time for the parade.)
SIGNS: You can make signs on the theme: “100 Years of Homecoming.” Or you can carry signs that state a value, issue, or cause, but keep it upbeat and tasteful. Remember this is the UWEC Homecoming parade, not a protest march, and there will be many children along the route. Consider signs such as " VOTE for Democracy," "Follow the Constitution," "Love Trumps Hate," "We Are The Change," "Protect Our Future," "Love Your Immigrant Neighbor," “I LOVE Education.” LINE UP for the parade starts at 8:45 am in the Human Sciences and Services Parking Lot (on Water St. across from Kwik Trip). The parade starts at 10:00 am, goes down Water Street, and ends in the Sonnentag Parking Lot.
RSVP: Let us know you are joining us by signing up at the Dem office or calling 715-852-0330 or emailing ecdems@eauclairedemocrats.com
After a somewhat slow start to 2025 for me, because of a health issue, I am back and going strong.
Even though we have no partisan fall elections this year - there are a lot of candidates stepping forward for next year's elections. We'll have all 29 Eau Claire County Supervisors, City of Eau Claire City Council President, Eau Claire school board seats, and, of course, the seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court to elect next spring. I'll list next fall's partisan elections in a future newsletter.
I am very pleased that the Eau Claire County Democratic Party has been supporting and helping young folks to become involved. We now have a 4-county Young Democrats, a UWEC college dems, and 2 high school dems groups forming and growing in our area.
Before I conclude my remarks talking about the importance of collaboration, let me say THANK YOU. Thank you to those of you who have been around for years and also to all of the new folks who have stepped forward in the last year. There are 7 committees that have become very active because of all of the volunteers who have come forward. This has allowed me, your chair, the opportunity to visit with other county's democratic groups and like-minded progressive organizations. This will build collaborations that strengthen our positions and, which also gives us a greater voice so as to be heard.
I've included a few pictures of current candidates and former democratic leaders. Let's stay in touch with each other, and I stand in Solidarity!
Phil Swanhorst
The Memorial High School Dems met Sept 28 for an ice cream social at the DRC. Co-President and contributor Kana Rasmussen, a sophomore, writes about each member who attended, and about what's most important to them as Democrats. Read More Here!
Learn of all the ways you can "Get Involved" with the Eau Claire County Dems.
Join one of these sessions: Monday, Oct. 13 - 10am Tuesday, Oct. 14 - 5pm
All one hour sessions are at the Dem Resource Center, 440 Broadway St., Eau Claire
POLL WORKER OR POLL WATCHERS NEEDED FOR 2026-2027 ELECTIONS Do you want to be a Democratic Party affiliated election poll worker for 2026-2027? It's an important job in our community and ample training will be provided, along with pay for your service. We're building our list for the next two years (2026-2027).
Over the next few weeks, we will call anyone who has worked or expressed interest in working the polls in the past but has not responded yet RETURNING - Please CLICK HERE to confirm you are again willing to be a Democratic Poll Worker in 2026-2027.
NEW - Sign up to become a poll worker for the 2026-2027 election cycle!
Interested in becoming a Poll Worker for the upcoming election cycle? Join a WisDems Poll Worker Info Session! These 30-minute Zoom sessions will be offered several times a week this fall. They'll discuss the specifics of the nomination process, as well as the requirements and basics of being a poll worker, and you can ask any questions that you might have.Poll Workers are essential to the voting process and protecting small-d democracy. It also provides an opportunity for you to serve your community and to get to know your neighbors. Come learn how you can advocate for voting rights in your community as a poll worker!
Thank you - Katelyn Ringlien and Patty Horecki Poll Worker Recruitment Team, ECC Dems
Volunteers Needed to Staff the EC County Dems Table at the Hmong New Year!
HMONGNEWYEAR
OCTOBER 11- 12, 2025 7AM – 5PM
SONNENTAG EVENT CENTER 1075 MENOMONIE STREET, EAU CLAIRE WI
The HmongNewYear celebrates a bountiful harvest and the rich cultural heritage of the Hmong community with song, dance, shopping, and food. The Eau Claire County Dems are joining in the celebration with an informational and activity-filled booth promoting voting and promoting Democratic values. Volunteers are needed to staff the booth and engage with attendees on Sat. Oct. 11 and Sun. Oct 12.
You can sign up for 3 to 3 ½ hour shifts here or you can sign up at the Dem office or by calling 715-852-0330 or emailing ecdems@eauclairedemocrats.com
Local Candidate Training Workshop Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Location: Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association 4319 Jeffers Rd, Ste 103, Eau Claire, WI54703 The deadline for signing up is TODAY Oct. 2, 2025.
Hosted by Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Chippewa Valley Builders Association, REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin, and Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley.
If you've ever considered running for a local elected office, want to assist with a campaign, or just wondered what's involved, make plans now to attend this workshop. You'll learn which offices will be on the ballot in the Spring 2026 election and the basic details of filing and running for office. You'll also have a chance to hear what it's really like to run and to serve from a panel of current and former local office holders.
Join us for the October Pub Nights with Progressives!
Dates: The first and third Tuesday each month. Time: 6pm-8pm Location: Lazy Monk Brewery
We look forward to seeing you again on October 7th and 21st at The Lazy Monk!
4-5:30 pm at the Federal Building 500 S Barstow St, downtown Eau Claire (corner of Barstow & Lake)
• Protest actions destroying our country, our democracy, our society. • Protest cruel and immoral actions harming people all around the globe. • Resist tyranny by using our right to free speech. • Bring your flags and homemade signs. (Make signs at the DRC M-F between 10am-2pm). • Bring non-perishable food items for local food banks
Parking available at Schlegelmilch-McDaniel Lot, corner of Gray and Farwell St.
Dem. Party of Chippewa County - 4th Wed, each month, 6pm, CCD Office, 103 N. Bridge St, Ste 310, Chippewa Falls. To attend virtually, email: chippewademocrats@gmail.com
Dunn County Democrats - 4th Wed, each month, 6:30pm-8pm, DCD Office, 1315 N. Broadway St., Menomonie
Feel like you want to lend your voice? Here are some ideas for Letters to the Editor!
Derrick Van Orden introduces unconstitutional bill to punish municipalities and schools who employ a person who spoke bad of Charlie Kirk
Derrick Van Orden’s Weeks long tirade about the assassination of Charlie Kirk fans the flames of violence and retribution
Please share any of your letters with us.Click Here
NATIONAL INDIVISIBLE The Solidarity in Action (SIA) speaker series is our speaker series bringing together Indivisibles from across the country to learn from experts on systemic change and allyship. Next SIA program: Understanding Systemic Oppression and Privilege, with Tim Wise -- October 20 at 7:00 pm ET/4pm PT
EAU CLAIRE : No Kings March ! Oct. 18 - 10am-1:30pm
Saturday, October 18 starting at 10am
Owen Park Bandshell
501 First Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701 Program to include Activist Chant Band and March route.
Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.
The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us.
A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
Want to Learn Skills for Disagreeing Better? October 15, Wednesday, at 5:30 - 7:30pm CDT virtual Rust Belt Rising is sponsoring this virtual session by Braver Angels to aid us to depolarize and connect more effectively. The session will help us understand the values and concerns of those who differ politically and learn skills for communicating differences and finding common ground. Skills to Disagree Better - Session: REGISTER *Tickets are Free, Donations Help. Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.
Upcoming ECCD Committee Meetings
To obtain zoom links to any meeting, please email ecdems@eauclairedemocrats.com at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting.
Standing Meetings Executive Team, First Wednesday, each month, 6:30 pm, DRC/Zoom Management Team, every Wednesday, 10 am, Zoom
Standing Meetings (con't)
Membership Team Meeting - Oct 7, 21 1pm Zoom Technology Team - Oct. 10, 2pm, Zoom Communications Team - Oct. 15, 29- 3pm, Zoom Volunteer Team - TBD 3pm, DRC, Zoom Finance Team - TBD, 12:30pm, DRC Dem Promotions|Visibility Team- TBD
The Coffee Klatch’s main purpose is to engage all citizens in meaningful discussion about political values and policies. The most important component of a functional democracy is an informed electorate. Join others for interesting conversation about current events or pressing issues. Oct. 9 - Angela Stokes, Asst. Dir., EC Cty DHS, lead coordinator for the Housing Our Neighbors Planning Collaborative + Dr. Tim Nordin, ECASD School Board President Oct. 16 - WI Gubernatorial Candidate Kelda Roys TIME: 10am-12pm Location: Live @ the DRC, 440 Broadway St., Eau Claire or on ZOOM.
Please click this ZOOM LINK for the 2025 year. *The Garden Growing Community - a new nonprofit in Eau Claire focused on bringing affordable housing and transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.
All Memberships Are $10.00 Per Person. Want to Join Online? CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE to Learn More About How to Get Involved with the Eau Claire County Democrats. LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS: Web & Socials * Write or post for ECCD Blog * Membership Committee * Volunteer Outreach *!
We offer internships and service learning in Operations Assistant, Grassroots Organizing, Social Media Management, and Website Maintenance
