JANESVILLE — As the Democratic National Convention gets underway in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is among the official Wisconsin delegates.
The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday and runs through Thursday.
In an interview with ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ last week, prior to the convention, Baldwin said she expects key themes in Chicago to be fighting for what’s best for American families and ensuring they thrive.
She said wherever she travels across the state, the top issue for families is rising costs.
She said work is underway on legislative solutions to lower the cost of housing, child care, and everyday items like groceries.
“These bills I’m working on provide our families with economic relief, get them a step closer to their home ownership dreams, and connect them with affordable child care options so they can have peace of mind that their children are in safe environments and are developing the social, communication and educational skills they need to succeed,†Baldwin said.
She said she has great memories of past national conventions.
“I’ll never forget my first DNC as a U.S. Senate candidate—it was a powerful experience, not just because it was my first Senate run, but because of the unity and energy in the room,†she said.
Baldwin said her focus this election season will be on traveling across the state, listening to working Wisconsinites. She is facing a challenge in November from Republican businessman Eric Hovde.
She will embark soon on an “In Your Corner†tour across the Wisconsin.
“No matter who is at the top of the ticket, my job as a senator is to fight and deliver for Wisconsin families,†she said. “I don’t write off any area of our state — whether it’s red, blue or purple, or rural, urban or suburban. My job is to represent all Wisconsinites, and that means understanding the everyday issues facing Wisconsin families and knowing when to work across the aisle for what’s best for them. When folks see results, they feel more encouraged to turn out and vote because they know their voices are heard and valued.â€
Endorsing Harris
Baldwin said she was proud to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. She said as the Attorney General for California and San Francisco District Attorney, Harris has stood up for the rule of law. She said Harris has held the powerful accountable and was a leader in the fight for reproductive freedom when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade.
Baldwin called Harris’ vice-presidential running mate, Tim Walz, a great addition to the Democratic ticket.
When Walz was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, “we worked together to stand up for our dairy farmers when milk prices dropped,†Baldwin continued. “And while he was serving as governor of our neighboring Minnesota, we brought home $1 billion for the new Blatnik Bridge in Superior, Wisconsin.
She said the funding in Superior ‘will create jobs, bolster our economy, and make sure our families can get to work on time.â€
Baldwin said in Wisconsin and across the nation, the Democratic Party’s priorities are protecting reproductive freedoms, easing the burden on voters’ pocketbooks, creating good paying and union jobs, expanding affordable health care access, and keeping communities safe.
She said the path to the presidency and control of the Senate runs directly through the Midwest and she is glad to see the Democratic Party focusing on “our region.â€
Party of Progress
Baldwin characterized the Democratic Party as the party of progress and common-sense values. The party has fought for middle-class families by creating good paying jobs, worked to lower prescription drug costs, expanded health care access for veterans and stood up to “extremists who have come for our reproductive and voting freedoms.â€
“From now until election day, we just have to keep working hard to get our message and strong record out and earn the votes of Americans,†she said.
Baldwin said it’s been an unprecedented election season, with Harris assuming the top position on the Democratic ticket as President Joe Biden stepped down.
She said the Democratic Party needs to listen to voters and then deliver on voter concerns and expectations.
Baldwin said the nation has been polarized, with divides that need to be healed. She said the Democratic Party is focused on being the party of progress, moving forward in unity.
“The convention energizes us and brings us together,†she said.
She said the party is also committed to bipartisanship, to reaching out to colleagues across the aisle.
“We’re laser focused on coming together to address our differences, foster unity, and advance policies that work for everyone and their families,†she said.
