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Volume 7, Issue 13, Aug 12, 2024
 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire, Wis. 
Published the first business day of each week
Business Advocate Past Issues
Public Meetings Calendar
Chamber Events Calendar
The Chamber's Advocacy Principles
The Chamber's 2024 Business Issues Agenda
"Talking Po!nt" Podcast
How to become a Chamber investor
Contact: Scott Rogers, VP Governmental Affairs
rogers@eauclairechamber.org
Chamber Business Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30a-4:30p, Closed Fridays in July

In this issue:
 • Eau Claire "Center of political world" last Wednesday with Harris/Walz
    and Vance visits, Marquette Polls shows dead heat in Wisconsin
 • Primary election is tomorrow: Top ballot items - Constitutional amendments,
    competitive races for nominations for 3rd District Congress, Assembly seats
 • Eau Claire City Council to consider annexation
 • Next week: Zoning meeting, "Avenues of Possibilities" Tour
 • State, national, and economic stories
 • Food for thought
 • Mark your calendar
Note on article links: A subscription is required for those marked with "$"
Publications known to have article limits or other access restrictions for non-subscribers are marked with "+"

Eggs & Issues: Washington Update with the US Chamber
   Hear the latest on federal policy issues and their impact on business from John Kirchner, Vice President, Midwest Region, Congressional and Public Affairs Division, US Chamber of Commerce. Get the insights into what's really happening in Washington that you won't see in the media, the US Chamber's priorities on key business issues, and a preview of what's at stake in the fall election. Benefit from timely insights on the week that the Democratic convention concludes and as the November election draws closer.
 • Friday, Aug 23, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

Eggs & Issues: Fall Election Outlook with Bill McCoshen
   With the November 5 election approaching, join us to preview the election's outlook for key offices at both the state and federal levels. We'll hear from Bill McCoshen of Michael Best Strategies, one of the state's top political experts. He will assess Wisconsin's statewide and legislative contests to provide us with clues to watch for as the campaign unfolds.
 • Friday, Sep 27, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

All upcoming 2024 Eggs & Issues programs

Tonight...
Business After Hours
  • Monday, Aug 12 - Eau Claire Event District
     Joint event with the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Eau Claire takes center stage as national campaigns visit
Harris announces pick of Walz for VP
Vance holds competing press event with contrasting message
   Both national campaigns were in Eau Claire this past Wednesday, highlighting Wisconsin's importance as a swing state in the 2024 Presidential election. After announcing her pick of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for Vice President, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris embarked on a multi-state tour, with Eau Claire being its Wisconsin stop. Further focusing attention was the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who made a competing appearance on the same day. 
More information: 
FULL SPEECH: VP Kamala Harris, running mate speak in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
FULL SPEECH: Sen. JD Vance speaks at Eau Claire business (WEAU 13 News)
Center of political world Wednesday was  Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)
Harris draws a crowd of 12,000, focuses on freedom and the future (Leader-Telegram $)
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sweep into Wisconsin seeking to build momentum (Journal-Sentinel +)
Vance visits EC to contrast against Harris rally, focuses on manufacturing and border (Leader-Telegram $)
Vance sends contrasting message speaking on same day as Harris rally (WQOW News 18)
JD Vance slams Kamala Harris in dueling Eau Claire appearance (Journal-Sentinel +)
WEAU Political analyst John Frank reflects political candidates in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
Swing voters compare Harris to Obama in Wisconsin focus group (Axios)
55 Things to Know About Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ Pick for VP (Politico)
What Tim Walz Is Known for in Minnesota (Governing)
Fact Check: Assessing Claims About Tim Walz and ‘Stolen Valor’ (The Dispatch)

Related:
Bon Iver, Packer Jokes, and Hot Sun Greeted Harris and Walz in Eau Claire (Volume One)
Inside Kamala Harris and Tim Walz's rally in the Chippewa Valley (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire Event District and Eau Claire Police reflect on VP Harris visit (WEAU 13 News)
Bon Iver performs at Harris Walz Rally in Eau Claire (Wisconsin State Journal +)
V.P. Kamala Harris, Gov. Tim Walz Visit The Local Store (Volume One)
City anticipates getting reimbursed for Harris visit (Leader-Telegram $)
Double the campaigns, double the cost: Eau Claire leaders plan ahead for presidential visits (WPR)

New Marquette poll shows Kamala Harris, Donald Trump in a dead heat in Wisconsin (Journal-Sentinel +)
New Marquette Law School Poll national survey finds Harris leading Trump and outperforming Biden against Trump; enthusiasm to vote among Democrats having risen substantially (Marquette Law School Poll)

Tuesday is Primary Election Day
Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
   In Tuesday's Primary Election, voters for each political party will select candidates for US Senate, US Congress, and the State Legislature (All Assembly seats and even-numbered State Senate districts), who will then appear on the General Election ballot on November 5. The election also features two State Constitutional Amendments.
   To see what's on your ballot and find your polling place, click on:   
   MyVoteWisconsin
   Voter ID is required. You can also register at the polls. 

Has your Assembly district changed? All new maps now in place.
   The state has adopted all new maps, which are different than those used in the most recent 2022 election. To see which district in which you vote, click the link below to access the interactive map on the Wisconsin Legislature's website. Check the box at the upper left to select "Assembly Districts (2024)", then zoom in to find your location and your district.
Link to 2024 legislative maps (Wisconsin Legislature) 
...or go to MyVoteWisconsin and enter your voting address

Competitive local Primaries for Congress, State Assembly
   Locally, State Assembly races feature two primaries on the Democratic side, and in three districts on the Republican side, for the right to appear on the November ballot:
   District 92. Democrats Caden Berg, a former Chippewa County Board Member, and former Rep. Joseph Plouff of Menomonie, are facing off for the right to challenge Republican Rep. Clint Moses of Menomonie.
   District 93. Democrats Nickolas Butler, Fall Creek and Christian Phelps, Eau Claire, are running to face Republican James Rolbiecki, a Town of Washington Board member, in November. (Incumbent Republican Warren Petryk is not seeking reelection after serving seven terms.)
  District 67. There is a Republican primary between Rep.  Dave Armstrong, Rice Lake, and Jimmy Swenson, Barron. The one Democrat on the ballot is Jeffrey Foster, Colfax.
  District 68. The Republican primary includes Rep. Rob Summerfield, Bloomer, and Clifford Taylor, Ladysmith. The Democrat running is Richard Pulcher, Lublin.
  District 69. A Republican contest between Rep. Karen Hurd, Thorp, and Lori Voss, Abbotsford. Also running are Democrat Roger Halls, Stanley, and Independent Joshua Kelley, Greenwood.
   Note: If you live in Assembly District 91, there is one Democrat, incumbent Rep. Jodi Emerson, and one Republican, Eau Claire County Board member Michele Skinner, who are unopposed in the Primary and will face each other in November.
  US Congress: In the 3rd Congressional District, three Democrats, Rebecca Cooke, Eau Claire, State Rep. Katrina Shankland, Stevens Point, and Eric Wilson, Eau Claire, are seeking the opportunity to challenge incumbent Republican Derrick Van Orden, Prairie du Chien.

Legislative races across the state
   Wispolitics.com has been tracking the new districts and candidate filings. To see who has filed in other parts of Wisconsin, see the links below:
   2024 Wisconsin Assembly races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
   2024 Wisconsin State Senate races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)

August Constitutional referenda to decide who spends Federal funds
Voters on Tuesday will also decide whether to enact two proposed amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution. John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs for Ruder Ware, LLSC, has put together an explanation of the proposed amendments, which would limit the Governor’s current powers and give the legislature more control over funds received from the federal government. Click here to read it.
Additional information:
Who will decide how federal funds are spent (Wisconsin Policy Forum)
Pro and con opinions:
Thirteen reasons to vote ‘Yes’ on Aug. 13 constitutional amendments (The Badger Institute)
Protect checks and balances in our state constitution. (WI votes NO)

More election stories...

PRIMARY COLORS: In E.C. Area, Aug. 13 Election Features Assembly, Congressional Hopefuls (Volume One)
Butler, Phelps square off for Democratic nomination in 93rd Assembly District (Leader-Telegram $)
Berg, Plouff square off in 92nd Assembly District primary (Leader-Telegram $)
Six Wisconsin Assembly primaries to watch on Tuesday (Wisconsin Examiner)

Three candidates vie for 3rd District Democratic nomination to Congress (Leader-Telegram $)
The Democratic contest in western Wisconsin to take on Rep. Derrick Van Orden turns heated (Journal-Sentinel +)
Democrats get negative in 3rd Congressional District primary (WPR)
In 3rd Congressional District primary, Democrats focus on winning over moderate, swing voters (WPR) 

Eau Claire sees higher turnout than expected for August primary drive thru voting (WQOW News 18)

Bipartisan group seeks to improve voter confidence in elections ahead of November (Wisconsin Examiner)

RFK Jr., Cornel West clear first hurdle to appear on Wisconsin presidential ballot (WPR)