Crawford County Democratic Party opens permanent location in PdC


State Sen. Braf Pfaff spoke at the location’s grand opening on March 9. (Photos by Steve Van Kooten)

Congressional candidate Rebecca Cooke (left) and Third Congressional District Chair William Garcia (right) appeared at the opening.

Craig Anderson, Rebecca Cooke, Dale Klemme and Eric Wilson were among those in attendance for the opening of the Crawford County Democrat Party’s new location on Blackhawk Avenue in Prairie du Chien. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
By Steve Van Kooten
On Saturday, March 9, the doors opened to the Crawford County Democratic Party Headquarters for the first time. Settled between Starks Sports Shop, Sport’s World and other retail storefronts, the headquarters welcomed community members, who poured into the office building at 117 W. Blackhawk Avenue to meet with Crawford County Democratic Party Chair Dale Klemme and other party representatives.
The opening went from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at noon.
Among the party’s guests were State Sen. Brad Pfaff, Third Congressional Democratic Chair William Garcia and congressional candidates Rebecca Cooke and Eric Wilson, both of whom are in the race to challenge U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden.
“This is how you build,” Wilson said as he addressed the crowd after the ribbon cutting.
“What you’re doing here by investing and having a long-term office on Main Street is, I think, going to pay dividends in the long run,” Cooke said.
“I think this is a wonderful thing,” Crawford County Democratic Party Vice Chair Craig Anderson said. He stated the Democratic Party previously opened locations throughout the county, including Prairie du Chien, in temporary locations; however, the party has never had a permanent home open to the public throughout the entire year. “The difference is this will be open all the time, not just during election cycles.”
Anderson said that he felt voters were “disconnected” from government and that a permanent location was the right answer. “This place became available, and we decided we needed to step up and put our money where our mouth is.”
“I think it’s important if you’re trying to get people to come participate to have a physical presence. That you’re not just a figment of somebody’s imagination,” Klemme stated. The party now has a place where people can stop in to get voter information, volunteer and make donations. “I think it strengthens the party.”
Klemme added that the Crawford County WisDems would be part of the community. “If we’re down here, we’re going to be dealing with projects downtown—activities that either enhance or promote the area.”
Garcia said the headquarters reflected the Democratic Party’s accessibility and that it was important to reach out to the community in what he called “the swing district.”
“It’s where a huge amount of independent voters live,” Garcia said. “So, whoever can come into the third district and talk to Republicans, talk to Independents, and talk to Democrats and say, ‘I’ve got the better ideas, I’ve got the solutions, I have the moral character to represent this area well at the national level,’ are the people that are going to win.”
“The road to the White House goes through Wisconsin Three,” Cooke said. She stressed the importance of the congressional elections that affect Crawford County and echoed both Republicans and Democrats, who have stated Wisconsin is a “purple state” and one of the main battlegrounds in the 2024 political arena.
“I am here this morning because this is wonderful,” Pfaff said. “I love Crawford County Democrats. You gave me an opportunity to serve in the Wisconsin State Legislature.” Pfaff highlighted the redistricted maps for the state assembly and senate and said the win was “bitter sweet” because he would no longer serve Crawford County in the Wisconsin State Senate.