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Endorsements mark start of powerful partnership with Progressive Moms of Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Working Families Party is endorsing a slate of Progressive Moms of Wisconsin candidates for the state Assembly, including Emily Siegrist, Liz Sumner, and Robyn Vining. Emily Siegrist is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for the District 24 seat; she will face incumbent Republican Dan Knodl in the general election. Liz Sumner is running against two Democrats in the August 14 primary; the winner will face Republican incumbent Jim Ott in November. Robyn Vining is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for the open seat in District 14; voters will select the Republican candidate in the upcoming primary.
The slate of joint endorsements marks the beginning of a partnership between Wisconsin Working Families Party and Progressive Moms of Wisconsin (PMW), a grassroots network of thousands of mothers across the state who come together and take action in progressive politics with a focus on fighting for working families.
“As a member of Progressive Moms of Wisconsin, I am thrilled to launch our joint endorsements of progressive moms running for the state legislature and formally kickoff our partnership with Progressive Moms,” said Marina Dimitrijevic, state director of Wisconsin Working Families Party. “Robyn, Emily, and Liz will be a powerful force in Madison as they fight for their families and all working families in our state. We want a state where all of our children have an equal opportunity to succeed. Our progressive moms are ready to fight and win.”
Emily Siegrist is a nurse practitioner, nursing instructor, military veteran, and mother of two young children. She joined the Army National Guard after 9/11 and used the GI Bill, Pell Grants, and student loans to become a registered nurse. She is running for the Assembly because she believes people deserve a chance to have affordable and accessible healthcare, a good public education, and a healthy environment.
“I am proud to be endorsed by an organization that represents my family and also holds politicians accountable for the sake of our working class,” says Siegrist. “Working Families Party plays a crucial role in restoring a democracy in our country where every voice matters and is heard.”
Liz Sumner is a member of the Fox Point Village Board, owns a retail business in Shorewood, and is the mother of two young children.
Robyn Vining runs a photography business and is a founding board member of Exploit No More, which works to end child sex trafficking. A former pastor, she was awarded the United Way’s Philanthropic 5 award in 2013 and named American Mothers’ Wisconsin Mother of the Year in 2017. Vining is a founding member of Help Portrait Milwaukee and The Milwaukee Portrait Project, and a mother of two.
“I am honored to receive the support of Working Families Party,” said Vining. “We share a commitment to the Wisconsin ideals that government and the economy are for the people.”
Unlike many political organizations, Wisconsin Working Families Party is making primary endorsements to ensure that the most progressive candidates are on the general election ballot to challenge Republicans and win. The Party will provide people power to the campaign, mobilizing volunteers and members to put boots on the ground to educate voters.
Wisconsin Working Families Party has already endorsed a slate of candidates for the Wisconsin Legislature, Sarah Godlewski to be State Treasurer of Wisconsin, Mandela Barnes to be Lieutenant Governor, and is leading the Wisconsin’s Choice campaign, which is engaging voters statewide in selecting and supporting the Democratic gubernatorial nominee.
