Don’t hate the Democratic Party become the Democratic Party
That rephrase of an old indymedia slogan may not land for younger readers, or any readers who weren’t part of an anarchist subculture a few decades ago, but it does work in our present context.
The centrist, geriatric, neoliberal, establishment wing of the Democratic Party is weaker, more vulnerable and more desperate than ever before. The failure of moderate Democrats to prevent the rise of fascism has made extra-parliamentary direct action higher risk with lower gains than ever before.
As a result, two important truths are fortunately—and perhaps naturally—arriving. First, an antiracist, anticapitalist left can take over the Democratic Party. Second, such people must bring the Democratic Party into fighting form before the 2026 midterms. Now, I don’t want to overstate this. It would be naive to think that the DSA and Zohran Mamdani and other left populist Democrats will promptly usher in luxury space communism. It is far more likely that they will return politics to a struggle between the needs of the many and the power of the few, rather than our current batshit fuckball politics pitting christofascists against apocalypse billionaires while liberals wring their hands on the sidelines.
Those more realistic expectations of electoral politics are still worthy of our effort, especially since other, more direct and radical efforts are likely to earn us severe consequences.
To that end, Milwaukee Beagle encourages our readers to get involved in the remaking of the Democratic Party at every level and every opportunity afforded to us. From Fran Hong’s race for governor, to upcoming County Board races, to the internal Democratic Party elections.
There are only a few days left to take action if you want to bring Milwaukee County Democrats into the future! Join the party NOW and vote for Amy Donahue. The deadline was Friday, November 7, but it has been extended to Wednesday, November 12! All the details on how to do that and Donahue’s reasons for running are in their own words below, but first, we’ll leave you with this quote from Mamdani’s acceptance speech:
“We won because we insisted that no longer would be something that is done to us. Now it is something that we do.”
Get to doing it!
Here is Donahue’s instructions for how to register and vote, and links to their campaign videos.
“I’m Amy Donahue, a non-binary, anti-racist, anti-Zionist parent, healthcare worker, and organizer. I’m running for chair of the Milwaukee County Democratic Party because I think it’s time the party gave us something to vote for, I have plans to do that. You can learn a little more about me on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AmyForChairMKEDems) and website (https://www.amy4mkedems2026.com/)!
The election is on Monday, 11/17/2025. In order to be able to vote on that day, you must do the following:
Join the party by becoming a dues paying member on or before Wednesday, 11/12/2025.
Be at Washington Park Senior Center (the election meeting location), in person, between 5:30pm and 6:15pm on Monday 11/17/2025.
More information about joining and the election:
Anyone 14 years of age or older who “subscribes to the progressive principles of the Democratic Party” is eligible to become a member!
There are 3 tiers for the annual dues: $10 for students, veterans, and low income individuals (you do not need to have any kind of proof), $25 for individuals, and $35 for pairs and families (so a household with adults and children can join at this level and all household members who qualify can become individual members at this tier)
Membership in the county party automatically means you’re a member of the state party (Wisdems) and vice versa.
Dues paying members are eligible to vote for party leadership as well as vote on resolutions and participate as delegates at the convention.
Your membership is good for 12 months from the date of payment.
Website to join the party: https://www.milwaukeedems.org/membership
Website with election details: https://www.milwaukeedems.org/mkedemselection2025
I recorded a video tutorial for how to join, with information on the election as well: https://youtu.be/uUpO6a4NBZ4”
