Garcia announces bid for Wisconsin Democratic Party chair

LA CROSSE, Wis. (Civic Media) – The current chair of both the La Crosse County and 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party is announcing a bid to become the party’s chair in the state.

William Garcia made the announcement Monday, following last week’s announcement that current chair Ben Wikler is not seeking re-election.

“The county parties of Wisconsin are the backbone of our party, and I am running to give a much needed voice to our local, grassroots organizers,” Garcia said. “The long-term health of [the Democratic Party of Wisconsin] depends on local parties having the resources, training and information needed to grow and thrive.”

Garcia has been the chair of La Crosse’s Democratic Party for the past five years. He is also currently the chair of the 3rd Congressional District’s Democratic Party, as well as the secretary and treasurer of the party’s Latino Caucus.

“I will remind national audiences of the crucial role Wisconsin plays as the narrowest swing state in the county,” Garcia said. “I will reach out to every voter, on every platform, in every way I can reach them, to tell the story of Democratic success and Republican tyranny. I will passionately fight the Trump agenda and prove there is a better path to carry our country forward.”

Garcia is the second candidate to announce a run for the party’s top spot after Wikler announced he wasn’t running again. Devin Remiker, the former executive director of the party in Wisconsin, announced his candidacy on Friday.

Wikler was originally elected as the chair of the DPW in June of 2019. Last fall, he ran to be the chair of the national Democratic Party, which was won by Ken Martin, who previously chaired Minnesota’s Democratic Party.

Party members will elect a new chair at the 2025 WisDems Convention in Wisconsin Dells in June. All elected offices with the state’s Democratic Party serve two-year terms. Anyone interested in running for state Democratic Party office can visit the 2025 convention website for more information.