Exclusive: Wisconsin Democrats’ Black Caucus adopts policy platform, will require responses from gubernatorial candidates

Black Americans make up the strongest voting bloc for the Democratic Party and locally will play an important role in choosing a nominee for governor. 

Every candidate running for the nomination will be expected to answer a questionnaire addressing the policy platform adopted by the party’s Black Caucus last month. 

The questionnaire and the caucus’ platform have been shared exclusively with the Milwaukee Courier ahead of distribution to the candidates. 

The caucus adopted the platform during the party’s state convention last month after a listening tour and other engagement events. 

The platform addresses seven key areas concerning the Black community: affording housing and protecting renters, education and literacy, economic opportunity, healthcare and mental health, criminal justice reform, democracy and civic engagement, and environmental and infrastructure needs. 

“Since 2018, Black voters in Wisconsin have been pivotal to every Democratic win — electing Governor Evers, flipping the Supreme Court, and now giving democrats the chance at a Democratic trifecta,” said Black Caucus Chair Nick Truog in a statement. “But winning elections means nothing if it doesn’t translate to meaningful change. Black voters must have the chance to hear during the primary how candidates will fight for them starting on day one with their commitments on paper. Like other communities across our state we’re desperate for economic change and we want it now.”

Every Democratic candidate will be providing a written response on how they will address the platform and will provide detailed plans to implement it if elected governor.

The primary election is Aug. 11 and the general election is Nov. 3.