Empowering working families: 9to5 Wisconsin to host candidate forums to amplify working families’ voices on critical issues

Working people will engage candidates on paid family leave, affordable childcare, the future of Wisconsin’s care economy

MADISON — Today, 9to5 Wisconsin announced a series of candidate forums taking place in Green Bay, Wausau, Sheboygan, and Milwaukee, ahead of Election Day. These forums are designed to provide a vital platform for community members to engage with candidates running for office and to learn more about their positions on critical issues impacting working families, such as paid family and medical leave and affordable childcare.

“We believe that the voices of working families should be at the forefront of political conversations,” said 9to5 Wisconsin’s Executive State Director Christina Thor. “These forums will empower our community members to hold candidates accountable and ensure that their needs are prioritized in the legislative agenda. As a nonpartisan organization, our goal is to foster a space for open dialogue that represents the interests of all constituents.”

It is more important than ever for voters to hear directly from candidates about their plans to support the care economy and address the challenges facing families in Wisconsin. Candidates from both parties have been invited to participate in an effort to ensure a fair and open dialogue at each forum.

Event Details:

  • 90th Assembly District Candidate Forum (Central/Eastern Green Bay)
    Candidates: Amaad Rivera Wagner (Confirmed), Jessica Henderson (Invited)
    Date: Monday, October 7
    Location: Brown County Central Library Downstairs Auditorium, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay, WI 54301
    Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    Co-hosting partners: Green Bay Asian Allies United and Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed
  • 18th Assembly District Candidate Forum (Western Milwaukee)
    Candidates: Margaret Arney (Confirmed), Kevin Anderson (Confirmed)
    Date: Wednesday, October 9
    Location: Hmong American Friendship Association, 3824 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208
    Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    Co-hosting partners: Building Unity, Hmong American Friendship Association, Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed
  • 85th Assembly District Candidate Forum (Wausau/Weston)
    Candidates: Yee Leng Xiong (Confirmed), Pat Snyder (Invited)
    Date: Tuesday, October 15
    Location: Northcentral Technical College, Room E102, 1000 W Campus Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
    Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    Co-hosting partners: Building Unity and Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed
  • 30th Senate District Candidate Forum (Green Bay/De Pere/Allouez/Ashwaubenon/Bellevue)
    Candidates: Jamie Wall (Confirmed), Jim Rafter (Invited)
    Date: Wednesday, October 16
    Location: Hinterland Brewery, 1001 Lombardi Access Road, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
    Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    Co-hosting partner: Main Street Alliance
  • *UPDATED* 26th Senate District Candidate Forum (Sheboygan)
    Candidates: Joe Sheehan (Confirmed), Amy Binsfield (Invited)
    Date: Thursday, October 23
    Location: Mead Public Library, Rocca Meeting Room, 710 North 8th Street, Sheboygan, WI 53081
    Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    Co-hosting partner: Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed

To RSVP and for more information about the forums, please visit: 9to5.org/find-your-forum.

Community members can email their questions for the candidates participating in the upcoming forums, at 9to5wisconsin@9to5.org. All forums will be livestreamed on the 9to5 Wisconsin Facebook page for public viewing.

“Currently, nearly 47% of Wisconsin families reside in ‘childcare deserts,’ with more than three children for every available childcare slot. A recent study reveals Wisconsin’s child care industry is unable to serve 33,000 kids due to staff shortage, which leaves 33,000 parents and unpaid caregivers out of the workforce,” said Thor. “Additionally, many workers lack paid family and medical leave, which directly impacts their ability to care for loved ones during critical times. Addressing these pressing concerns is not just a policy issue; it’s a matter of ensuring that all families have the support they need to thrive. We must prioritize solutions that create a more equitable and sustainable future for Wisconsin’s working families.”

###

9to5 Wisconsin is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advocating for economic justice and advancing policies that support working families. We believe that voting is essential for empowering individuals to shape the policies that affect their lives. By providing forums for community engagement, we aim to foster informed voters who can hold elected officials accountable and advocate for their needs. For more information, visit 9to5.org.