Parisi that is. The endorsement wars continue . . .
Women Leaders Endorse Rep. Joe Parisi for Dane County Executive
MADISON – Former Dane County Clerk and State Representative Joe Parisi (D-Madison) announced the support of key women leaders from across Dane County in his race to become the next Dane County Executive. Joe has been a leading voice in the county for women’s rights, including efforts to protect a woman’s access to contraception, equal pay for equal work, and standing up for victims of domestic violence.
Women leaders endorsing Parisi include Former Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Executive Director Severa Austin as well as national, state and local leaders such as Pat Alea, Shannon Barry, Judy Coleman, Susan Crawford, Peg Davey, Donna Fox, Jude Edmonds, Nancy Heiden, Julie Horst, Kathy Jeffords, Kitty Kocol, Carol Lobes, Margaret McEntire, Margaret McMurray, Denise Matyka, Kate Peyton, Shira Rosenthal Phelps, and Kimberly Wasserman.
“Joe Parisi has been a champion for women, and a strong partner in the effort to support our causes and our women leaders,” said Severa Austin. “With so much uncertainty in state government, we need someone with Joe’s knowledge of and dedication to our issues at the county level more than ever before. I have no doubt that as our next Dane County Executive, Joe will protect our rights and work to preserve the priorities that matter most to women and our families.”
Joe Parisi has been a life-long advocate for women’s rights. As Dane County Clerk Joe worked hard to protect the privacy of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking who needed to vote without disclosing their addresses publically. In the state legislature, Joe has been a leading voice in the effort to provide women a path to receive equal pay for equal work, to increase access to and affordability of contraception, and to secure funding for critical family planning services. Last year Joe was awarded the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence “Legislative Champion” award, in part for his work to protect and empower survivors of domestic violence and help bring attackers to justice.
The support of these leaders from the women’s community is the latest endorsement for Parisi. Recently, Joe received the endorsement of Democratic Assembly leaders inside and outside of Dane County, leading environmental advocates, Former Dane County Executive Rick Phelps, and the United Transportation Union, the first union endorsement of any candidate in the Dane County Executive’s race.