Randy Bryce

Template:TOCnestleft Randy Bryce is an ironworker, activist and Wisconsin congressional candidate.

Progressive Caucus Action Fund Session

Randy Bryce was involved in the Progressive Strategy Summit named "Building Power for the Rest of Us" held on October 24-25 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Randy Bryce was listed as one of those "featured" in a panel headlined "From the Shop Floor to the House Floor: Bringing; Lessons from the Picket Lines into Policy Debates" which aimed to "discuss our shared goals of rebalancing our economy to achieve racial, gender, and economic justice."

Verbatim:

"A hallmark of the progressive movement is a belief that the experiences and needs of working people should animate our policy and politics. This session will bring together organizers, policy makers, labor leaders, advocates, and activists to discuss our shared goals of rebalancing our economy to achieve racial, gender, and economic justice. Bank workers from Santander and Wells Fargo, women working at Walmart, warehouse workers at Amazon, federal contract workers, and striking UAW workers will describe their campaign goals. Special guest members of Congress and national policy leaders will have the opportunity to describe the change they're fighting for in Washington and recent progress building worker power through legislative campaigns. Some of the questions that may be addressed include: How do we achieve better alignment between policy in Washington and people organizing on the front lines? What are the gaps in existing legislation that need to be filled to support working people in a rapidly changing economy? What are the steps we need to take to rein in corporate power, beyond traditional labor legislation? How does the legislation currently on offer build worker power and achieve racial, economic and gender justice?

Moderator: Dorian Warren, Center for Community Change

Featuring: Rep. Donald Norcross; Rep. Mark Pocan, Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair; Rep. Mark Takano; Randy Bryce; Emily Chatterjee, Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights; Jaya Chatterjee, Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Judy Conti, National Employment Law Project; Andrea Dehlendorf, United for Respect; Vasudha Desikan United for Respect; Jasmine Dixon, United for Respect; Richard Eidlin, American Sustainable Business Council; Joseph Geevarghese, Our Revolution; Terrysa Guerra, United for Respect; Desiree Hoffman, United Automobile Workers; Shane Larson, Communications Workers of America; David Madland, Center for American Progress; Emily Martin, National Women’s Law Center; Michelle McGrain, National Partnership from Women & Families; Guled Mohamad, United for Respect; Josh Nassar, United Automobile Workers; Jackie Parncutt, United Auto Workers, General Motors worker; Dania Rajendra, United for Respect; Larriese Reeves, Santander Bank worker; Alex Ross, Wells Fargo worker; Bill Samuel, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO); Heidi Shierholz, Economic Policy Institute

Activist past/support

For nine years, Randy Bryce served as the political coordinator for the Ironworkers Local 8. In the lead-up to Scott Walker’s election to the governor’s mansion, Bryce campaigned vigorously against him.

As Walker moved to gut the state’s public sector unions with Act 10—a “right to work” bill—Bryce led one of the first protests against it in 2010, and became deeply involved in the historic occupation of the state capitol in Madison that followed.

Bryce has run for office and lost three times—for the state assembly, state senate and a county board of elections seat—but never with the level of national attention he is receiving in this campaign. Growing anger toward Ryan and the GOP, combined with Bryce’s down-home appeal, has made him something of an internet sensation. He’s garnered support from national progressive groups including the Working Families Party and Democracy for America, backing from several sitting members of Congress such as Bernie Sanders and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), and high-profile interviews with comedian Sarah Silverman and Chelsea Handler.

Campaign against Paul Ryan

On July 25, 2017 one big early supporter, the Working Families Party, crowded New York City’s Von Bar with a fund-raiser for Randy Bryce attended by enthusiastic celebrities and Manhattan ironworkers. Bryce also met Mayor Bill de Blasio. Ryan’s initial press responses about this opponent – the earliest in memory that Ryan has shown worry — actually haven’t hurt. He elevated Bryce’s credentials by pointing out Bryce is campaign experienced, even ran for office before against other entrenched GOP figures. Wisconsin first took notice of Bryce in 2011 when he stood up in the rotunda of the State Capitol and spoke passionately against Act 10, the bill that stripped state unions of their rights. So this is hardly a novice fighter for government responsibility. He not only knows the issues, he’s lived them.

The attack focus will probably shift. The Bryce camp faces an immediate test in fiscal sleight of hand given the Foxconn deal for the district.

Another idea picked up among GOP operatives seems similar to the “fake news” bots planted against Clinton in the presidential campaign, trying to create division among the Democrats about who should be the standard bearer.

There is, after all, one other respected candidate in the race – Janesville activist and school board member Cathy Myers, whose campaign people already have Bryce as well as Ryan in their sights, built around Bryce’s enthusiastic membership in the iron workers, who work on the jobs put in front of them, be they pipelines or sports arenas.

Bryce has already turned back criticism on the pipeline work his union does by pointing out his longstanding ecological commitment. His campaign is preparing more position papers, reading how the attack issues may expand to more than opposing Ryan’s base policies but Bryce’s own history as a union activist.

The Bryce effort has already gained local notice. Fearing no strong homegrown candidate would emerge against Ryan, a Democratic operative and writer, David Yankovich, moved from Ohio to Kenosha specifically to run against Ryan. Now he has withdrawn and urged all his backers to switch to Bryce.

Council for a Livable World

Randy Bryce (D-WI-01) for Congress was endorsed by Council for a Livable World in 2018.

Randy Bryce is looking to be the giant killer of the 2018 campaign, taking on Speaker Paul Ryan, a tough task but one for which he already has immense support. House Speakers rarely lose, but Ryan, like other Republican and Democratic congressional leaders, has become increasingly unpopular.

Bryce is a U.S. Army veteran, cancer survivor, and union ironworker. He was raised in southeastern Wisconsin. He currently serves as President of the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and as Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Veterans Caucus.

Bryce has caused a lot of buzz. He has already raised almost $1.5 million as of December 2017 and has been endorsed by many unions and progressive groups around the country plus a number of national and Wisconsin politicians. Among these group are AFL-CIO, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Democracy for America and Vote Vets.

Comrades

Jhari Derr-Hill August 3, 2019 ·

Randy Bryce and tacos 😂 — with Nina Turner, Basi Lisa, Shabd Singh and Analilia Mejia.

Now What? Defying Trump and the Left's Way Forward

Now What? Defying Trump and the Left's Way Forward was a phone in webinar organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization in the wake of the 2016 election.

Now what? We’re all asking ourselves that question in the wake of Trump’s victory. We’ve got urgent strategizing and work to do, together. Join Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson of the Movement for Black Lives and Freedom Road, Calvin Cheung-Miaw, Jodeen Olguin-Taylor of Mijente and WFP, Joe Schwartz of the Democratic Socialists of America, and Sendolo Diaminah of Freedom Road for a discussion of what happened, and what we should be doing to build mass defiance. And above all, how do we build the Left in this, which we know is the only solution to the crises we face?

This event will take place Tuesday November 15, 2016 at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central/6pm Pacific.

Those invited, on Facebook included Randy Bryce.

Democracy for America

Randy Bryce, U.S. House, Wisconsin 1, was endorsed by Democracy for America in 2018.

Randy currently serves as President of the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and as Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Veterans Caucus.

DSA connections

Marquette Area Democratic Socialists of America, October 7, 2017

On the left is Randy Bryce, the iron worker running to unseat Paul Ryan. Next to him is Tim Faust, our upcoming healthcare speaker.

Socialist staffer

Members of Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America Closed Facebook Group, June 7 2018, included Nate Rifkin. Digital Director at Randy Bryce.

PDA 2018 endorsement

In 2018 Progressive Democrats of America endorsed Rep. Randy Bryce, WI-01.

NNU endorsement

Randy Bryce September 12, 2017.

Today, National Nurses United endorsed our campaign for Congress against Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.

NNU has paved the way for single payer healthcare. The support Medicare for All is receiving today would not be where it is without the NNU's organizing and passion.

I am honored to have NNU's support. Paul Ryan stands in the way of our shared vision to help all Americans, and with NNU’s support, we're going to repeal and replace Paul Ryan in 2018.

Gwen Moore support

Randy Bryce April 18;

Happy Birthday Gwen Moore! So grateful for your support and mentorship over the past year. I hope you have a birthday as great as you are!

#WomenForRandy

Randy Bryce March 30 ·

Thank you to everyone who joined hosts Congresswoman Gwen Moore, State Representative Chris Sinicki, and State Representative Greta Neubauer for the launch of #WomenForRandy. I can't tell you how honored I am to have your friendship and support!

WFP endorsement

Campaign manager

David Keith is Randy Bryce's campaign manager.

21st Century Democrats

21st Century Democrats endorsed candidates Randy Bryce Richard Cordray, Betty Sutton, Brian Frosh in 2018.

Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC

In 2018 Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC (CPC PAC), the political arm of the 76-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, endorsed Randy Bryce (WI-01) for the House of Representatives.

Workers’ Congress

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO hosted its first Workers’ Congress in four years. Nearly 1,000 union members from every industry turned out on Tuesday, March 13 2018 at downtown L.A.’s Westin Bonaventure Hotel to share stories, plan strategy, and swear in its most diverse executive board in the organization’s 133-year history.

“Our issues are inseparable, our futures are inseparable, we are inseparable, and today’s work is finding how we all win in 2018,” said Rusty Hicks, president of the LA Fed.

“If my family didn’t have quality healthcare through our unions, we’d probably have to depend on public assistance to cover all our bills. I’m grateful we have not had to do that, but I also know that our employers did not just hand over these benefits,” said Simboa Wright, a wastewater worker and member of SEIU 721.

“Even though I wasn’t a union member,” said Frank Vasquez, an Army veteran and USW 675 member, “it was a union activist who stood up for me and called on our employer to hire me on permanently and told them not to discriminate against me because of my disability.

“Sometimes people think that a union is just about wages and benefits, but for us it’s about belonging to something that we can depend on. My son’s union was there for him when things were hard, and he was able to get his life back on track,” said Iran Escorcia, speaking about how her son’s union (Roofers and Waterproofers Local 36) provided job security and support while he went through family and immigration issues.

One breakout addressed the prospect of more union and community members running for public office. Lizette Escobedo, currently on leave of absence as communications and public affairs director at SEIU Local 2015, spoke on that panel, along with Steve Barkan, Mark Ramos, and Jenny Delwood. She is currently running to become the first Latina elected to the Whittier City Council.

On another panel, speakers addressed the deepening union involvement in public issues and campaigns. The old model for “community outreach,” said Sharon Delugach from the AFT, was to call upon community organizations when the union needed bodies at demonstrations and public hearings.

In that panel, “Big John” Harriel, a union member and foreman with IBEW Local 11, spoke movingly about mistakes he had made early in his life that led him to prison, and how upon release the building trades unions above all kept the door open to former felons to apprentice for a new trade, join the union workforce, and transform their lives, families, and communities. He works with an organization called 2nd Call, helping former felons to unlearn dysfunctional behaviors which often lead to recidivism. Alexandra Suh from the Koreatown Immigrant Worker Alliance (KIWA) spoke of her organization’s collaboration with the labor movement in trying to improve working conditions in small immigrant-run shops and restaurants that characterize the economy of her neighborhood.

Afternoon speakers included renowned leaders such as Wisconsin’s Randy Bryce, who is running a popular grassroots campaign against House Speaker Paul Ryan; Las Vegas resident and DACA recipient Astrid Silva, who recently delivered the first Spanish-language Democratic response to President Trump’s first speech to Congress last year; and Senior Advisor and National Spokesperson for MoveOn.org Karine Jean Pierre.

“It’s not just that union members should run,” said Randy Bryce, Congressional candidate for WI-01, “we have to. Because if we don’t run or if we don’t vote for pro-labor candidates in every election, even the local elections, then anti-worker conservative politicians are going to do to the entire country what Scott Walker did to Wisconsin. We shouldn’t just be protecting our rights, we should be expanding them. And with working people in office, we can finally get a family-sustaining federal minimum wage, Medicare for All, free college, and ensure equal pay for equal work.”

For the final portion of the afternoon, the LA Fed swore in its new board, which includes KIWA’s Alexandra Suh. Her election points to the Fed’s understanding that the advancement of the labor movement does not only involve members of labor unions, but also of labor centers and allies.

2018 Single-Payer Strategy Conference

Healthcare-Now! Agenda: 2018 Single-Payer Strategy Conference Friday, June 22 – Sunday, June 24 Minneapolis, Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown.

Agenda for Saturday, June 23

• Panel: Medicare for All as a Political Campaign Theme – Facilitator: Donna DeWitt, former President South Carolina AFL-CIO; Amy Vilela, candidate for Nevada’s 4th Congressional District; Randy Bryce, candidate for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. Respondent: MN State Senator John Marty.

Vote Vets endorsement

National Nurses United endorsement

National Nurses United 2018 endorsements included Randy Bryce WI 1.

Justice Democrats

Randy Bryce WI 01 was endorsed by Justice Democrats for 2018.

Fighting Bob Fest

Fighting Bob Fest speakers 2018: Jim Hightower, Randy Bryce, Mandela Barnes, John Nichols, Rep. Chris Taylor, Sarah Godlewski, Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Ruth Conniff, Will Durst, Karin Wolf, Kim Wright, Paula Bezark, Lauren Peterson, Raging Grannies, Danny Chicago, Norman Stockwell.

Sunrise slate 2018

Sunrise Movement August 2 2018:

We're thrilled to introduce you to our first-ever round of candidate endorsements: the #SunriseSlate2018!

These candidates are some of the earliest adopters of the #NoFossilFuelMoney pledge and, if elected, would lead the fight against oil and gas lobbyists in state capitols and Washington, DC. They’re putting forward big policy solutions to the climate crisis, like championing a Green New Deal and supporting a just and rapid transition to a 100% renewable energy future that leaves no community behind.

Learn more and support our efforts here! https://www.sunrisemovement.org/2018-endorsed-candidates — with Katie Muth for PA Senate, Deb Haaland for Congress, Alessandra Biaggi, Kaniela Ing, Jess King for Congress, Julia Salazar for State Senate, Dana Hamp Gulick for PA 97th, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Representative Anna Eskamani, Abdul El-Sayed, Danielle Friel Otten for PA District 155, Cynthia Nixon for New York, Benjamin Jealous, Jumaane D. Williams, Ilhan Omar for Congress, Randy Bryce, Zellnor Myrie for New York and Rashida Tlaib For Congress, Penelope Tsernoglou Michigan State House, Michele Wherley Pennsylvania State House. .

References

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