MADISON, Wis. — The chair of Wisconsin Democratic Party the past five years, Ben Wikler, announced his bid to head the national party’s recovery from its 2024 setbacks. Wikler said: “The country that we love needs the Democratic Party to be stronger. To unite, to fight and to win.” Wikler, age 43, is well connected in the party and media savvy. Although Trump carried Wisconsin in 2024, Wikler sees Democratic successes. He cited flipping 14 state legislative seats and re-electing U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin. On his watch in 2023 Governor Tony Evers was re-elected.

Politics in his blood

In high school Wikler  led a campaign to place a student on the Madison School Board.  He organized protests against granting Coca-Cola exclusive access to Madison schools. He worked on the first congressional campaign of Senator Tammy Baldwin. At Harvard, where he studied economics, Wikler founded Al Franken’s radio show. His media background includes being podcaster, an Air America radio producer, and a headline writer for satirical newssheet The Onion.

Democratic connections

In 2006 Wikler served as news secretary for Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, In 2007, he directed the Avazz  campaign on climate change, poverty and human rights and also managed the technology and communication teams. Wikler became MoveOn.org’s Washington director in early 2014.  He led organization’s efforts to encourage Senator Elizabeth Warren run for president. In late 2015 Wikler led MoveOn’s advocacy for Syrian immigrants. Wikler also led grassroots protests against repeatedly failed GOP attempts to repeal ObamaCare health insurance reforms.

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WIKLER ben DEMOleadr - Winona Journal

Wikler. Claims progress toward a majority in Wisconsin politics.

Crowded field

Wikler is fourth Democrat to throw his hat in the ring. Others who have declared:

> Ken Martin, Minnesota Democratic Party chair.

> Martin O’Malley, former Maryland governor.

> James Skoufis, New York state senator.

Among others contemplating:

> Xavier Becerra, Health and Human Services secretary.

> Michael Blake, New York Assembly member.

> Rahm Emanuel, U.S. ambassador to Japan.

> Michelle Lujan Grisham, governor of New Mexico.

> Max Rose, former U.S. Congress member from New York

> Faiz Shakir, manager of the  2020 presidential campaign of U.S. Senator Bernie  Sanders from Vermont.