La Crosse County Democratic Party chair Garcia, elected to 3rd Congressional District chair

La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia has a bit more responsibility moving forward.

Along with La Crosse, Garcia will be overseeing 17 more counties, as he was elected as the 3rd Congressional District chair for the Democrats over the weekend.

“We are focused on returning the 3rd CD to Democratic representation in 2024,” Garcia said. “The Democratic Party is focused on passing legislation that makes the lives of Wisconsinites safer, healthier and happier. We are certain that our message will resonate with 3rd CD voters as we head into the 2024 campaign cycle.”

At the party’s convention in Black River Falls over the weekend, they also voted on 10 resolutions of party principles to be sent to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention, which happens June 10-11 in Green Bay.

These resolutions feature calls to restore reproductive rights in Wisconsin, establish stronger red flag and gun safety laws and increase funding for schools and health care. Also passed were resolutions asking for the party to send more funding to county parties and to chapters of the College Democrats.

Garcia succeeded Philip Swanhorst, chair of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party. Swanhorst was serving as chair of the 3rd CD on an interim basis.

Also elected at the convention were Vice Chair for the Northern District Philip Swanhorst of Eau Claire County; Vice Chair for the Eastern District Rick Christofferson of Portage County; Vice Chair of the Central District David Wulf of La Crosse County; Vice Chair of the Southern District Wayde Lawler of Vernon County; Treasurer Adam Balz of Monroe County; Secretary Margaret Breisch; and Representative to the Executive Board Janet Heller of Jackson County.

In addition to the officer elections, the Convention heard from Wisconsin State Sen. Jeff Smith of Eau Claire County and State Sen. Brad Pfaff of La Crosse County.

They also heard from Representative Jodi Emerson of Eau Claire County and Representative Katrina Shankland from Portage County. Video thank yous were sent from Gov. Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul and DPW Chair Ben Wikler.