Republican Party of Green Lake County Caucus Jan 15, 2025, 6PM Christianos Pizza, Green Lake
Chairman Tony Deiss called the meeting to order with 19 members of the Green Lake County Party attended including Green Lake
County resident and our State Representative, Alex Dallman, 39th Assembly District.
Guests-
Our State Senator John Jagler, 13th Senate District. As a result of the Supreme Court ruling in December 2022 and the implementation of
new legislative maps, Green Lake County is now in the 13th Senate District.
Sen. Jagler is in his second term and lives in Watertown.
Prior service in the Assembly as State Representative and communications director for Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald in 2011-2012.
His message, the $4 billion surplus will be part of the next budget, but the focus of the Senate will be on returning money back to the people.
Photo ID amendment to our State Constitution will be on the April 1 ballot, passed last week by the Senate and this week by the Assembly.
Photo ID is in state law now and has been since 2014, but with an activist Supreme Court, having this provision in the state constitution will make it more difficult to remove.
Rep. Dallman thanked members for their support as he begins his third term and has again been appointed to the Joint Finance Committee, responsible
for preparing the budget. His message, although we are happy Pres. Trump was re-elected, we did not get Eric Hovde to the US Senate and our
legislative majorities in Wisconsin are much weaker, loosing 4 Republican seats in the Senate, now 18-15 and 10 in the Assembly, now 54-45.
Hopefully, still able to hold off Gov. Evers initiatives, but probably tough to get much positive done from the conservative standpoint.
Jasper Logan, Regional Field Director from WISGOP. They are supporting Brad Schimel for Wisconsin Supreme Court and will be working with him in fundraising and help. Mr. Logan encouraged members to sign up to help with door knocking, postcards and signs. Sign up at https://schimelforjustice.com/
RWP is also offing help to local candidates through WISGOP Farm Team. Contact Joan or RPW for the application.
George Bureau, resident and county supervisor in Winnebago County, running for 6th District Chairman introduced himself and his reasons for running.
This election will be at the District caucus March 8th in Fond du Lac. Details to follow.
Joan Ballweg, a member and county resident, spoke on behalf of the candidate for Supreme Court, Brad Schimel. This is our chance to make the Wisconsin Supreme
Court majority conservative again with the retirement of one of the liberals and another liberal, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford running.
The Democrats will have more money, but Brad Schimel is welcoming the help of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
The last supreme court race between Dan Kelly and Janet Protasiewicz was the most expensive in US history, over $56 million, and this one will be more.
Conservatives are notorious for passing on spring elections. Pres. Trump won in 2024 by less than 30,000 votes. Eric Hovde lost by less than 30,000 votes but
third party candidates gleaned over 70,000 votes, Eric Toney lost his race for Attorney General by 35,000 in 2022. Sen Ron. Johnson won in 2022 by26,000 votes.
But in the Supreme Court race, Dan Kelly lost by 200,000 votes.
Many more conservatives skipped that election, than liberals. We need to get out the vote, just like Nov. 2024 for Pres. Trump.
Redistricting was the first loss with the liberal court, but on the docket are Act 10, Right to Work, Rule Reforms and more done during the Walker administration,
abortion and oversight authority by the Legislature are all in jeopardy.
We have Yard Signs for Schimel, contact Joan Ballweg to volunteer to be a drop off point in the county or for individual signs.
We also have post cards to write in support of Brad. Joan and Victoria Gundrum would like to connect with individuals that want to help. We have 500 cards to start with. Or sign up to help https://schimelforjustice.com.
Joan also spoke on behalf of Superintendent of Schools Candidate Brittany Kinser. This will be a three person primary on February 18th. The top two finishers will be on the April 1 ballot.
Current Superintendent, Jill Underly, is supported by the Democratic Party. Challenger Jeff Wright, District Superintendent at Sauk Prairie, is supported by WEAC. Read more about Brittany here, https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/kinser-campaign-brittany-kinser-launches-campaign-releases-platform/ Her campaign is just getting started. Supporter of charter schools
school choice, experience as a reading specialist, principal and more. Supported by many Republicans and Rep. Dallman stated, “I’ve worked with her and she
believes in parents.”
Chairman Tony Deiss’ Report Thank you to all the volunteers that knocked door, worked the fair booth and Berlin Farmers Market, installed signs and more.
Dave Gneiser and Janet Busboom for writing the columns. (Dave reminded members, if they don’t want to write a 500 word column, he’d encourage a 200 word
Sound Off to anyone interested) Victoria and Larry Gundrum for so much outreach and organization. Elizabeth Barzyk for doing Facebook and social media. Nancy Hiestand, Treasurer
is his right hand for so much. And thanks to Janet Busboom and Janet Reabe , former county chair, for years as members of the Executive Committee, now stepping back.
Treasurer Nancy Hiestand’s Report GL County works pretty lean, current balance $2,408.98. Motion made, Seconded and vote taken and accepted.
Business Meeting
Chairman Deiss asked for volunteer to be delegates to District caucus and State Convention. 5 volunteered but we can have 30. Membership is required, availability for the caucus and state convention
requested but not mandatory. If you are interested reply to Tony or indicate on your membership form to Nancy.
Chair Deiss asked those in attendance to review a proposal from the state party. Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Committee passed a constitutional amendment that will go before delegates at the 2025 State Convention concerning possible conflict of interest in employment by State Officers and Executive Committee members of the RPW.
Motion to approve the recommended changes was made, seconded and passed unanimously. For further information contact the Chairman or Secretary of Green Lake County Republican Party.
Election of Officers for Republican Party of Green Lake
Chairman Deiss needs to step back a bit because of work commitments and nominated David Cotterill to serve as chair. Second and vote taken, unanimously approval.
Tony Deiss volunteered to serve as Vice Chair to support the new chair. Nomination, second and vote taken, unanimously approved.
Nancy Hiestand Treasurer nominated, second and vote taken, unanimously approved.
Secretary nominations for Joan Ballweg and Elizabeth Barzyk. Vote taken and the new secretary is Joan Ballweg.
Other Executive Committee members; Social Media Manager Elizabeth Barzyk, Newsprint Dave Gneiser, At Large Dave Abendroth, Victoria Gundrum
Discussion on possible Lincoln Day. Membership expressed interest in some type of event to help promote the April 1 election. Brad Schimel for Supreme court, State Superintendent of School,
local elections and Constitutional Amendment on Voter ID. Joan Ballweg volunteered to contact the Schimel campaign and neighboring counties to try and find dates and opportunities for a bigger
audience for Judge Schimel.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Ballweg