Kristina Shelton: "We Need All Democrats To Get Comfortable Being Courageous"

 

When we think about gerrymandering, it's often in the context of trying the almost impossible task of flipping red districts blue. But in isolating Democrat-heavy communities, we are creating oases from which progressivism can spring. Wisconsin's 90th Assembly District in central Green Bay is the perfect example.

To create this district, Walker-era Republicans drew lines to include the meat packing plants, most of the city's rental housing, and majority minority neighborhoods. Generally, you can tell which district you're in based on the size of the houses. The 90th is blue collar and blue voting.

With relative electoral security, Wisconsin's Democratic Assembly incumbents should be positioned to demonstrate the true potential of the party: leading with creativity and courage as they work to make people's lives easier. But instead, the 90th's current-- and soon-to-be former-- Representative for the 90th used his position to try to coerce an employee of the State Capitol into sex. He was only eight months into his first term.

Enter Kristina Shelton, a woman elected to the Green Bay School Board whose personal politics align with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Kristina enthusiastically supports the Green New Deal, strong union rights, and Black lives matter. Her campaign is built from the premise that to beat the divisive, low expectations politics of the Republicans, Democrats have to be part of a social movement to rein in corporate power and lift up the most vulnerable in our community-- whether that is women victimized by sexual harassment or undocumented workers exploited by their bosses.

The process to get her the nomination was less of a primary and more of a culture war. Those backing the sexual harasser incumbent labeled her "radical," "underqualified" and "untested." But in August, she won the primary by 58 points. That's not a misprint: She won 79% of the vote, beating an incumbent who got only 21% of the vote. Green Bay declared that they want someone who is a little bit radical, and more importantly, a representative who will include them in the work-- and fun-- of making the change we need.

These safe blue districts can also serve as the laboratory for campaign innovation. When others around the region were struggling to pull together socially distanced fish fry fundraisers, Shelton was experimenting with live video, Spotify playlists, feminist artwork, and an ambitious texting program. She was running for state Assembly as though she were running for the White House.

"For me, the turning point was this poster we made," said Kristina. "I was up one night thinking of all the things I've been called in my life. I think a lot of women can relate to that. Words like unqualified, over-qualified, sexy, unattractive. My cousin, an artist in Pittsburgh, made those words into a beautiful image on a poster, and we sold the artwork as a fundraiser.

"We try things, we see what works, and we share whatever we learn so that the movement gets stronger. Win, lose or draw, we need all Democrats to get comfortable being courageous. And we shouldn't be afraid of enjoying ourselves while we're doing it."

If she secures election in November, Kristina will be a strong voice in the Assembly's Democratic Caucus. "I plan to legislate the same way I've campaigned: by bringing my community with me."