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DNC Wisconsin Superdelegates

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Posted February 28, 2008 | 04:41 PM (EST)

HuffPost's OffTheBus members produced these superdelegate profiles as part of its Superdelegate Investigation. You can find all profiles here.

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Jason Rae, Milwaukee Wisconsin

Basic Bio
*Jason Rae was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
*He is a junior at Marquette University, majoring in political science and history.

Involvement in Democratic Party
*He is chair of the Marquette University chapter of College Democrats.
*He is Vice Chair of the College Democrats of Wisconsin.
*Rae was elected to the DNC in 2004 at the age of 17.
*He is Chair of the DNC Youth Council.
*He has appeared on CNN's 360 Degrees and MSNBC's Live with Dan Abrams.

Personal political interests and issues
*His focus is on the Democratic Party only.
*He believes it is important to get people elected to implement changes.

Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
*On Thursday 2/21/08 Mr. Rae declared his support for Barack Obama. "When I see one candidate energizing a new generation like Senator Obama is, I cannot help but be impressed and inspired. As I think about who I want to lead our country and party forward, I cannot think of another candidate to do that than Senator Barack Obama."

Contributions to Candidates
*He has never made a political contribution.

Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
*His family was "not at all" political.

Previous Campaign Work
*He endorsed John Kerry in 2004 and did some minor work for his campaign.

Connections to Politicians, Leaders On State Level
*He worked on the campaign to re-elect U.S. Senator Herb Kohl in 2006.
*He interned in Senator Kohl's office in Milwaukee Sept. 2005 - Oct. 2006.
*He worked on the steering committee of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold.
Information in this profile came from a variety of sources, including:
Interview with Jason Rae, 2/24/2008,
Marquette University College Democrats website,
College Democrats of Wisconsin,
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.

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Melissa Schroeder, Merrill, Wisconsin

Basic Bio
*Melissa Schroeder is a grass-roots activist with forty years experience supporting Democratic Party candidates.
*She was born and raised in Merrill, Wisconsin.
*She graduated from Merrill High School.
*She has worked for a local shoe factory and is now a Federal employee.

Involvement in Democratic Party
*Schroeder was appointed to the DNC at the State Democratic Convention in June, 2004.
*She has been active in Democratic politics since 1968, supporting the Hubert Humphrey campaign while still a teen-ager.
*She has held local offices.

Personal political interests and issues
*Health care policies.
*Educational policies.

Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
*Melissa has had phone calls from Chelsea Clinton and Michelle Obama and both candidates' "surrogates" in Wisconsin: Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton (Clinton), and Governor James Doyle.
*Electability is her primary concern in choosing a candidate to back, as well as what the voters in Wisconsin want.
*She remains unpledged to any candidate.

Contributions to Candidates
Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
Previous Campaign Work
Connections to Politicians, Leaders On State Level
She is employed as a case worker in Wisconsin Democratic Congressman David Obey's office.

Information in this profile comes from an interview conducted for the Huffington Post on February 22, 2008.

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Tim Sullivan
DNC member at-large Wisconsin

Basic Bio
* Active in AFSCME activities with Wisconsin Council 40 http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/527/wisconsin_council_40_people_fund.asp
* Works for the Dane County Highway Department.

Pledged Support
* Clinton http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/16264171.html

Contributions to Candidates
* $972, 03/14/2003, DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WISCONSIN FEDERAL ACCOUNT http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/tim-sullivan.asp?cycle=04

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Lena Taylor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Basic Bio
*Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
*Graduated from Milwaukee Rufus King High School in 1984, BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1990, J.D. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1993.
*Public Defender after law school. In 1996, she started Taylor and Associates Law Office in Milwaukee.
*Elected on November 2, 2004 to the 4th Wisconsin State Senate District,
*Currently running for County Executive of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin,
Information in this section comes from Lena Taylor's Campaign website and her official State of Wisconsin State Senate website.

Involvement in Democratic Party
*In 2005 Senator Taylor was selected to serve as the First Vice Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (First Vice Chair is an automatic member of the DNC).
*Taylor writes a weekly column for the Milwaukee Courier, and a quarterly column for Citi-gal magazine. She frequently appears on community radio stations and public radio, and has taken part in political commentary on TMJ4 and Wisconsin Public Television.
Information in this section comes from Project Vote Smart and Senator Taylor's official State of Wisconsin State Senate website.

Personal political interests and issues
*In 2005, Senator Taylor was selected to serve as the State Chair for Women in Government.
*Member of the NAACP.
*Chairperson, Legislative Black and Hispanic Caucus.
Information in this section comes from Project Vote Smart and Senator Taylor's official State of Wisconsin State Senate website.

Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
*Since she is currently running for Milwaukee County Executive, she has not had the opportunity to get involved in the 2008 election beyond her duties as Vice Chair, according to Taylor.

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Joe Wineke, Verona, Wisconsin

Basic Bio
*JOE WINEKE was born in Fitchburg, Wisconsin on January 5, 1957 and raised in Verona.
*He received a B.A. in political science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1980.
*He is married and has three children.
*He lists his occupation as consultant.
Information in this section comes from Linking with Legislators.

Involvement in Democratic Party
*Joe worked as a researcher for the Madison-based tax organization, Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance prior to being elected to the State Assembly in 1982.
*He was elected to the State Senate in a special election which was held in April, 1993 and re-elected to a second term in 1996.
*In 1998 he ran for US Congress in the 2nd district. He was defeated by Tammy Baldwin in the Democratic primary.
*He has been the Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party since 2005.

Personal political interests and issues
*Joe Wineke has been registered in Wisconsin as a lobbyist for AT&T, which was pushing legislation to make it possible for telecommunications companies to enter the cable TV market. The cable competition bill would have ended the 30-year-old practice of letting local communities negotiate service agreements and instead have had the state do it. The bill had bipartisan support in the legislature but was controversial in liberal circles. At first he said he wouldn't step down from either the party chairmanship or his lobbying. After fierce criticism, however, Wineke relinquished his role as a lobbyist.
*In the legislature he has served on committees related to finance and taxes.
Information in this section comes from Linking with Legislators and The Capital Times.

Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
*He supported Edwards, citing his position on poverty. Just prior to the Wisconsin primary he was quoted that he hadn't made up his mind who to vote for.
Information in this section comes from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Contributions to Candidates
*Donated $2300 to Edwards campaign.

Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
Connections to Politicians, Leaders On State Level
*Has not been a protégé of anyone. Climbed up the party ranks from the Verona city council.

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Paula Zellner Porterfield, Wisconsin

Connections to Politicians, Leaders On State Level
*Paula Zellner directs field operations for the Russ Feingold for Senate campaign.
*She refused to be interviewed.
*She referred us to Trevor Miller (202 607 4977), Senator Feingold's communications coordinator.
*Miller sent this link to the Senator's position on his own status as a superdelegate.
*Miller had no comment when asked whether Zellner would vote the way the Senator is voting.
*She is listed by the Appleton Post-Crescent as one who has made up her mind but won't say who she supports.

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