New Series Introduction—Constitutional Conversations: Unpacking Your Fundamental Freedoms

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 15, 2025

We’ve all been hearing a lot about our rights lately—especially our right of free speech, our right to bear arms, our right to due process, and our right to religious freedom. But these aren’t just legal terms tossed around in courtrooms; they’re part of our daily conversations, social media debates, and personal experiences. But how well do each of us actually understand what these rights mean?

That’s what this new blog series is all about. I’m going to take a closer look at the rights guaranteed by our U.S. Constitution. I’ll be breaking them down into clear, practical language so we can see how they show up in our everyday, real life, not just in history books or legal documents.

No legal background is needed—just curiosity, a desire to understand more, and a willingness to explore the big (and sometimes uncomfortable) questions.

Why This Series Matters

We are living in a time when understanding your rights isn’t just helpful—it’s absolutely necessary. Constitutional questions are at the heart of so many current issues. From public protests to online censorship, from gun laws to police searches, we are constantly navigating these rights—whether we realize it or not.

But there’s still a lot of confusion out there. For instance:

  • Can a social media company really “violate” your free speech?
  • When can police legally search your phone?
  • What does religious freedom mean in a diverse, modern society?
  • What constitutes a legal protest vs an illegal protest?
  • Can you be legally forced to inject or ingest something against your will?
  • When and in what circumstances do schools have a legal right to usurp parental rights?
  • Does, or at what point does, your right to medical and bodily autonomy ever end?

These aren’t just theoretical questions—they affect how we live, work, speak, and show up in the world. This series is here to provide some clarity, context, and conversation around them.

What You’ll Learn in This Series

Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll explore a specific Constitutional right—where it comes from, what it protects, how it’s been interpreted over time, and how it applies today.

I’ll begin with freedom of speech and expression, diving into what our First Amendment actually protects (and what it doesn’t). I’ll look at how speech works in public versus private settings, and what the courts have said about misinformation, protests, and online platforms.

From there, I’ll move into the Second Amendment and the ongoing debate around the right to bear arms. I’ll talk about its historical roots, how interpretations have shifted, and what recent court cases tell us about where things stand now.

I’ll also cover topics like due process and equal protection under the 14th Amendment, protections against unlawful search and seizure under the 4th Amendment, and the complexities of religious freedom in an increasingly pluralistic society.

Throughout the series, I’ll highlight major Supreme Court decisions and real-world cases that have shaped how these rights function today. This isn’t just theory—it’s about how our Constitution works in real life, right now.

Who This Is For

This series is for anyone who wants to go beyond the surface and really understand what their rights are—and aren’t. It’s for students, professionals, voters, educators, activists, and everyday people who want more clarity in a confusing time.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a conversation where someone claimed something was “unconstitutional,” and you weren’t quite sure whether they were right, this series is for you.

You don’t need a background in law or politics. You just need an open mind and a willingness to learn.

How to Follow Along

I’ll be publishing new posts typically once a week. You can subscribe to stay updated, or follow along on social media where I’ll share highlights, include discussion prompts, and provide additional resources. If you have questions or want me to cover a specific topic in this series, feel free to reach out. I’d love to include your voice in this conversation.

Let’s Begin

The Constitution isn’t just a document—it’s a living framework that shapes our lives in powerful ways. Understanding your rights gives you a stronger voice, more confidence in conversations, and better tools to navigate the world around you.

I’ll kick off next week with the first deep dive: freedom of speech. What does it protect? What doesn’t it? And how is it being challenged or redefined in the digital age?

I hope you’ll join me for this series. It’s time to get clear on what your rights actually are—and why they still matter.

Legal Disclaimer:

The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or legal entities. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the law is constantly evolving, and the interpretations of Constitutional rights can vary by jurisdiction and case. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified attorney or legal professional for advice or clarification regarding specific legal issues or concerns. The author and publisher are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the information provided, or for any actions taken based on the content of this article.

Stay in Your Lane: Keep It Relevant or Risk the Race

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 14, 2025

When running for office, staying in your lane isn’t just good advice—it’s essential strategy. A focused campaign shows voters that you understand the role you’re running for, and that you’re serious about delivering real solutions within the scope of your authority. Straying from that can cause confusion, dilute your message, and open the door to unnecessary controversy.

One of the biggest missteps you as a candidate can make is getting sucked into debates or discussions that don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the position you are seeking. For example, you might be running as a candidate for village board and if you weigh in on federal immigration policy that may gain lots of attention, but it won’t help you show the voters how you plan to fix potholes or improve local services. This kind of distraction shifts the conversation away from what voters actually need from that role—and can ultimately hurt your credibility.

When you as a candidate venture outside your lane into discussions that have nothing to do with the office to which you seek to be elected, you risk creating unrealistic expectations in the minds of the voters. Voters may assume you will take action on issues that aren’t actually within your power once elected, leading to disappointment and frustration. Even worse, your opponent can use those moments to question your understanding of the position or suggest that you’re out of touch.

On the flip side, staying focused on the responsibilities that come with the office you’re seeking builds trust and clarity. Voters appreciate when you speak plainly and directly about what you can do—rather than what you wish you could do. It shows discipline, leadership, and respect for the function of government at every level.

A campaign that sticks to relevant, actionable issues stands out. It’s easier to craft a strong message, connect with the community, and offer concrete solutions. Whether it’s improving public safety, managing budgets, or enhancing services, voters want to hear how you’ll address the matters they face every day—through the tools that are actually at your disposal.

In today’s noisy political climate, the temptation to respond to every hot-button issue is real. But smart candidates know that their strength lies in staying mission-driven. Talk about what you can change, and let that be the foundation of your campaign. Clarity is power—and focus wins elections.

Sabotaging Ourselves: Why Internal Division Threatens the Republican Future

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 13, 2025

“What doesn’t make sense is the willingness of some Republicans to sabotage their own party from within.”

That was my response when I was informed this morning that state level Republican Party leadership called an “emergency” meeting about something that isn’t an emergency and is nothing more than a power play to maintain control.

There’s a growing pattern where members of the “old guard” (for lack of a better description) are resisting change so fiercely that they’re willing to burn down the house just to keep control of the front door. Instead of welcoming the energy, vision, and grassroots momentum pouring into the party, they’re trying to choke it off—and it’s weakening us all. The natural outcome of these actions include less willing volunteers, less donors willing to financial support the party, less people willing to run on the party ticket, more and more losses at the local, county, and state level. 

Let’s be real, the rise of organizations like Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action should be celebrated. They’ve mobilized an entire generation of young conservatives, brought energy to campuses, and played a key role in engaging voters under the age of 40. They’re bringing people into the fold who might never have considered aligning with the GOP just a few years ago. It’s been incredible to experience the energy at the local level and interacting with them has been inspiring and helps remind me that they are the future leaders of our party … if we only embrace them!

Yet, time and again, we see parts of the Republican establishment treat Turning Point as an outsider threat, rather than a powerful ally. From blocking candidates supported by Turning Point Action to refusing collaboration on strategy and messaging, this resistance is more than just political friction—it’s sabotage. And it sends a damaging message to rising conservative leaders: “There’s no room for you here unless you play by outdated rules.”

This isn’t just shortsighted—it’s self-defeating.

Are we really going to let internal pride and power struggles tear us apart? Because if we continue down this path, the natural consequence will be a party fractured into irrelevance. Some are already whispering about third-party movements or splitting off entirely. But make no mistake—a divided Republican Party only strengthens our political opponents. We don’t need a break. We need a bridge.

So how do we move forward? Here are a few solutions we can actually act on:

  1. Create forums for intra-party dialogue where traditional conservatives, new activists, and grassroots organizers can share ideas openly—not to win arguments, but to build strategy.
  2. Invite organizations like Turning Point to the table, not just during campaign season, but as long-term partners in vision and execution.
  3. Stop treating ideological passion as a threat. A wide tent strengthens us—so long as we align on core conservative values.
  4. End the purity tests. Not everyone will speak the same language, but if we’re all fighting for freedom, prosperity, and national strength, we’re on the same side.

We can be the most powerful political force in America—but only if we act like a movement, not a minefield.

The GOP has never been one thing—it’s evolved over time. From Lincoln to Reagan to the Tea Party and now to the next generation of America First conservatives, our strength has always come from our ability to adapt while holding fast to our principles. Let’s not forget that!

The question isn’t whether we’ll change. The question is whether we’ll change together—or split apart out of fear.

I, for one, believe we’re stronger together. But it’s going to take courage, collaboration, and letting go of egos—for all of us.

Bringing Back the Heart of Our Community: Choosing Peace and Kindness Over Division

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 13, 2025

My village is hurting. What once felt like a safe, welcoming place has become strained by tension, distrust, and fear. Recent political division has taken root in my community so that many feel like they are walking on eggshells, avoiding conversations, and wondering what happened to the sense of togetherness we once cherished. Many of us are now wondering how we got here and how we can bring back the harmony that made our community special.

This isn’t who we are. And it certainly isn’t who we want to be.

It’s time to heal. To come back to what matters most—each other. Because no matter our differences, we all want a community that is safe, supportive, and kind. That’s not just possible—it’s within reach. But it begins with each one of us.

The inability of some to engage in respectful dialogue has quietly (and not so quietly) eroded our sense of unity. What used to be healthy disagreement has become something far more toxic: intimidation, silencing, and public shaming.

One heartbreaking example is how some residents have felt intimidated into silence because a few very loud voices chose to publicly attack anyone who dared to express a different opinion. When some choose to shut down meaningful conversation with name-calling, public shaming, and smear campaigns, fear takes the place of connection.

Another troubling example involved someone slashing the tires of a local resident’s car while it sat in their driveway—an act of cowardice and intimidation that crosses a line no community should tolerate, regardless of political stance.

We’ve also recently seen people hiding behind fake social media profiles to spread false rumors and maliciously smear their neighbors, using anonymity as a shield to avoid accountability while causing real harm to real people.

And perhaps most damaging of all is when a professional uses their position of influence to publicly humiliate someone, turning a role meant for service into a platform for personal attacks.

These actions don’t just harm individuals—they unravel the fabric of our community. They replace trust with suspicion, kindness with cruelty, and unity with fear. And unless we choose a different path, the damage will only deepen.

We’re losing more than civility—we’re losing connection. We’re losing the ease of waving to a neighbor without wondering where they stand or whether we’re being judged. We’re losing the ability to come together around shared goals because we’ve allowed ourselves to be divided by personal beliefs. We’re losing the safety of community. And without safety, there can be no true unity.

But here’s the good news: we can rebuild what’s been lost.

The way back isn’t through louder arguments or more dramatic displays. It’s through listening. Through kindness.Through remembering that peace starts with people—not politics.

We must allow space for others’ perspectives, even when we disagree. Not everything is black and white. Most of us live in the grey—in that middle ground where real conversations can happen and common ground can be found.

We’re not as divided as some think. We all want safety. We all want fairness. We all want to raise our children in a place where they feel supported and valued. These are the shared values we must return to.

Here are a few simple, but powerful ways we can start to heal. Create safe spaces where people can share and be heard without fear. No slogans, no debates—just people reconnecting on a human level. Treat others with dignity, even when you disagree. Leave a kind note. Send a card. Smile at someone new. Do a random act of kindness for someone you don’t know or even someone with whom you don’t always agree. And above all, lead by example and choose grace over grudges, peace over pettiness, and respect over retaliation.

Just say no to the fringe extremes! Let’s be the generation that stops the cycle. Let’s be the neighbors that say, “enough is enough—we choose peace.”

Imagine what could happen if we each took a personal pledge to strive for unity, kindness, and understanding. Let’s start something simple but powerful. A movement. A vow. A shift back to center—back to humanity. Encourage others to join. Share stories of kindness. Celebrate moments of forgiveness. Words are powerful. They can speak life or death. Speak LIFE  back into this community again.

We’re not defined by what’s divided us—we are shaped by what we choose to do next.

This is our moment to turn the tide. To rebuild trust. To restore peace. To bring back the heart of our village, one act of love at a time.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about who’s right or wrong. It’s about remembering that we’re in this together.

Let’s love our neighbors.

Let’s be kind to our neighbors.

Let’s choose peace with our neighbors.

When Your Own Team Keeps Dropping the Ball: A Voter’s Frustration—And a Way Forward

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 12, 2025

Sometimes, it’s really not easy being loyal to a political party that repeatedly shoots itself in the foot—whether at the county, district, state, or national level. Many voters show up year after year with hope in their hearts—ready to donate, canvass, share posts, and cast ballots. But that hope begins to wear thin when the leadership of the party you believe in seems incapable of getting out of its own way.

The problem isn’t just one bad decision. It’s a pattern: the rollout of lackluster candidates, fumbled messaging, and a chronic failure to connect with everyday people. Add in vague communication, internal infighting, and an alarming lack of urgency, and it’s no wonder people are burning out or walking away. Worse yet, when frustration is voiced, some in leadership deflect accountability and blame the voters themselves instead of looking in the mirror.

Mixed messaging is a huge part of the problem. You might have a sharp, organized county party doing the heavy lifting—connecting with local voters, planning events, and keeping morale high. But then you look to the state party and see either silence, chaos, or contradiction. It’s disheartening when it feels like the people closest to the ground are working their tails off, only to be undermined—or outright ignored—by the people at the top.

Perhaps the most self-destructive element, though, is how common it’s become for parties to eat their own. The “it’s our way or the highway” mentality has infected internal discourse. If someone challenges the dominant strategy or expresses a dissenting view, they’re often ostracized or labeled as disloyal. Ironically, this mirrors the exact behavior we criticize in the political left. The difference is, we claim to value independent thought. So where is it?

This mindset doesn’t just alienate voters. It pushes away some of the most active, creative, and committed people in the movement. The party becomes more insular, less dynamic, and more prone to doubling down on bad ideas. It’s not principled leadership—it’s rigidity disguised as strength.

So what’s the path forward?

Let’s start with the root issue: respect. Respect for different ideas, different tactics, and different voices—especially when we agree on the mission. You don’t have to love every approach, but treating fellow conservatives as enemies because they think differently is short-sighted and corrosive. The goal should be debate, not destruction. When disagreements arise, find a compromise and move the hell on.

Second, tighten up the messaging and unify the narrative. The public doesn’t care about behind-the-scenes drama—they care about results, vision, and authenticity. When the opposition frames our candidates with false narratives and personal attacks, we must respond with clarity and discipline. Call it out: “The only thing the opposition has is smear campaigns and emotional manipulation. They can’t win on the issues, so they fabricate hate.” Then pivot immediately to the real issues people care about.

Third, don’t let personal attacks go unanswered. If someone labels you a fascist, extremist, or racist without evidence, call it what it is: defamatory and dishonest. Say it to their face if you can. Better yet, have a pro bono attorney on standby and make it known that defamatory rhetoric won’t be tolerated. You may not need to go to court, but the public declaration of truth matters. Accountability matters.

Fourth, leadership must support the grassroots—not sabotage it. Too many local leaders feel abandoned by their state or national counterparts. That disconnect must be addressed. Communication needs to be regular, strategies need to align, and support must be mutual. State parties should not just “tolerate” county leaders—they should be empowering them.

Finally, we need to refocus on what we’re for. It’s not enough to be anti-left. People want to hear solutions. They want a reason to hope and a reason to believe their vote still matters. If we only show up to criticize and never offer vision, we lose credibility—and elections.

This isn’t about being perfect. Every party stumbles. But the consistent failure to self-correct—and the refusal to listen to the people doing the groundwork—is costing us elections, trust, and long-term momentum. The stakes are too high to keep letting internal dysfunction win the day.

Voters are watching. And while many haven’t walked away… yet, they’re tired. Tired of wasted potential. Tired of seeing candidates get steamrolled while leadership hides behind press releases. Tired of watching fellow conservatives attack each other harder than they attack the opposition.

We have a choice. We can keep bleeding support through self-inflicted wounds—or we can grow up, get aligned, and start acting like a team with a mission.

The clock is ticking. It’s time to show up with a plan—and finally, start winning again.

Progress or Purity: How Ideological Litmus Tests Are Killing Collaboration

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 11, 2025

In today’s hyper-polarized political landscape, collaboration is becoming a lost art. While both parties draw lines in the sand, Democrats have increasingly adopted an “all-or-nothing” mindset, insisting on total ideological alignment before they’re willing to work with others—even on shared goals. Meanwhile, Republicans, though no less ideological, have shown a greater willingness to collaborate when the destination is mutual—even if the path is different.

This purity-over-pragmatism approach isn’t confined to Washington. It’s happening in school boards, county boards, and even non-partisan village governments like mine. As a Trustee, I’ve seen board members block initiatives they otherwise support simply because the wrong person proposed it. Not because the policy was flawed, but because the politics weren’t pure.

For many Democrats, ideological purity has become the price of admission. Disagree on one issue—be it climate policy, social justice, or healthcare—and you risk being labeled regressive or not progressive enough. This rigidity has created internal gridlock, stalling progress and fueling factionalism between moderates and progressives. The Build Back Better saga was a textbook case—torn apart not by Republicans, but by Democrats unwilling to compromise with their own.

This fixation on ideological conformity creates paralysis. Instead of asking, “Do we want the same outcome?” the conversation becomes, “Do you believe everything I believe?” And in politics, that question kills momentum.

Republicans, by contrast, often prioritize strategy over purity. While they have their ideological battles, they tend to unite around shared objectives. If a Democrat backs lower taxes or border security—even partially—Republicans are more likely to work with them. We’ve seen it in bipartisan efforts like criminal justice reform and pandemic business relief, where Republicans crossed the aisle without demanding total agreement.

That’s not to say Republicans are saints or Democrats are villains. There are pragmatic voices on both sides. But as a trend, the Left’s insistence on perfection has stalled progress, while the Right’s focus on outcomes has allowed for coalition-building and real results.

If we want to move forward as a nation, we need to value collaboration over conformity. Progress doesn’t require full agreement—just enough common ground and a shared willingness to get things done.

Born to Disrupt: Turning Pain into Power and Silence into Strength

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 10, 2025

Clarity is threatening. It exposes the darkness. It reveals the truth. It shatters illusions.

I’ve learned this the hard way. There was a time when I used to stay silent—afraid that my truth would shock or repel people, rock the boat, unsettle the peace, and make others uncomfortable. I thought silence protected me. But silence didn’t protect me. To the outside word I was your everyday normal person going about life like everyone else. Things were “normal.” But what is “normal”—it certainly wasn’t my life. Silence just amplified the darkness that surrounded me. It kept me chained to the very illusions I was trying to escape. I’ve lived through the consequences of biting my tongue, of pretending, of shrinking. When I reached my breaking point, I finally chose a different path.

Now, I choose to be the lightning rod.

Lightning rods don’t create the storm, but they do conduct its energy. They take the strikes, so others don’t have to. That’s what living in truth feels like—risky, disruptive, but absolutely necessary. Clarity is powerful because it pierces illusion. It forces people to confront what they’d rather ignore. Clarity acts as a mirror to the soul, and for many, that’s terrifying.

Trauma has a way of shattering illusion. When you’ve been broken, betrayed, silenced, or unseen, you begin to crave truth like oxygen. For me, healing from trauma was never just about recovery—it was about reclamation. Reclaiming my voice. Reclaiming my identity. Reclaiming my purpose. And that purpose isn’t to echo the illusions of the world around me—it’s to resonate. To strike a note so clear and strong that others feel permission to walk away from their own illusions and into their truth.

Clarity is not about being right—it’s about being real. And being real, especially in a world addicted to validation and approval, is revolutionary.

When you walk in integrity, some will hate you for it. Not because you’ve wronged them, but because your truth exposes their comfort in falsehoods. That’s not your burden to carry. Your job isn’t to please; it’s to embody truth. And by doing so, you become the mirror, the map, the catalyst for others to escape their illusions.

My purpose is to live fully and authentically, even if that unsettles others. Especially if it unsettles others. Because discomfort is often the doorway to awakening.

I don’t chase validation. I don’t dilute my truth for others’ applause. And I never shrink to make others feel comfortable. I am here to resonate—to be the lightning rod that transforms pain into power and clarity into purpose.

The storm doesn’t break me—it reveals me.

So You’re Thinking of Running for Local Office in Wisconsin But Don’t Know Where to Start?

By: Rebecca Witherspoon

Have you ever felt the urge to step up and serve your local community—on the village board, city council, school board, or county board? If so, thank you. Running for office is a bold and commendable decision. Your leadership matters now more than ever.

If you’re anything like I was when I ran for my first office, I was overwhelmed, clueless to the process, and felt like I was navigating waters that were murky at best. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The process is actually much more simple than you would imagine and so long as you follow the appropriate laws in your state, you’ll do just fine. So where do you start and where do you find those appropriate laws? That’s what this article is all about.

One of the first things I did was to attend meetings of the board which I was considering running for. It was my “research and determine if I even want to do this” phase. I attended as many board and committee meetings as I was able to attend over the course of a few months to get a better handle on who the current board members were, what types of things they typically discussed, how they debated the issues, and how decisions were made. I also sat down with current board members who were willing to discuss how the board is run and to get first-hand knowledge of what it is like.

Don’t neglect doing these types of pre-campaign activities. It’s valuable time well spent, and doing so will give you an opportunity to observe and learn about the entire process and better understand what your voters are going to expect from you. It’s better to understand what you’re getting into before you run for office than to wait until after you are elected and find out it’s not what you expected. Meetings can sometimes be boring and at other times it can be a bit contentious. Always remember though that once the campaign is over and you are elected, you will need to be able to work with the other members of the board, even those that might not like you because of your views.

To help you navigate the process, I’ve put together a friendly guide that breaks down the steps to declaring your candidacy, forming a campaign committee, managing campaign finances, and complying with reporting requirements. This guide is tailored specifically for Wisconsin and ideal for first-time candidates. If you’re looking to run for office in a different state, then I encourage you to seek guidance from your county or state political party of choice to learn the ins and outs for the state where you want to run.

For official forms and the most up-to-date information, be sure to visit the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.

Step 1: Declare Your Candidacy

Once you decide which office to run for, your first task is filing a Declaration of Candidacy (Form EL-162). This form tells election officials which position you’re seeking and confirms your eligibility to run.

You’ll need to file this form with:

  • Your municipal clerk (for village, town, or city office),
  • The county clerk (for county board positions), or
  • The school district clerk (for school board seats).

Important: Deadlines vary depending on the election cycle and office. It’s wise to check early with the appropriate clerk to avoid missing key dates.

Step 2: Register Your Campaign Committee

Before you raise or spend a single dollar, you must establish a campaign committee by filing a Campaign Registration Statement (Form CF-1). This is where you officially create a campaign committee—often with a name like “Friends of Jane Smith.” Once you have registered your campaign committee, you are required by campaign finance laws to place an attribute on all published materials (in whatever format they are published) promoting your campaign whether you paid actual money to have them created or not, whether they are physically printed or appear only on social media. If your campaign material is in audio format only, then towards the end of the audio you must have a statement that indicates “Paid for by ____” with the blank being the name of your campaign committee. Anything that promotes your campaign must have the attribute “Paid for by ____.” If someone else created a graphic or piece of literature promoting your campaign or created an event to promote your campaign, an attribute indicating who paid for it must be included. Examples of what to place the attribution on includes but is not limited to: campaign yard signs; announcement for a meet and greet promoting your campaign; campaign literature you hand out while knocking on doors; social media posts promoting your campaign (typically placed on any graphic); videos created to promote your campaign (typically placed near the end of the end of the video); any and all advertisements promoting your campaign; table banners, t-shirts, pens and buttons that promote your campaign; etc. If you’re not sure if something requires the attribution, use it anyway. Better to use the attribution too often than to be fined for violating campaign finance laws.

This form includes:

  • Committee name and address
  • Treasurer details (you can serve as your own treasurer, but it’s helpful to appoint someone else)
  • Bank account information (where you’ll deposit all campaign funds)

Submit this form to the same clerk where you filed your Declaration of Candidacy.

Step 3: Get an EIN and Open a Campaign Bank Account

You need a separate bank account for campaign activities. To open this account, first apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. It’s free and can be done online here.

Tips for completing the EIN application correctly:

  • Entity Type: Select “Political Organization”
  • Reason for applying: Choose “Started a new business”
  • Business activity: Select “Other,” then choose “Political Organization”

Once you receive your EIN, use it to open a campaign bank account in your committee’s name. Only you and your treasurer should have signing access to this account.

Step 4: Track and Report Campaign Finances

Wisconsin law requires candidates and committees to track every donation and expense—no matter how small. Transparency is key.

Track all contributions:

  • Donor’s full legal name, address, date, and amount—if amount is $200 or more occupation must also be provided
  • No business/corporate donations allowed
  • Anonymous donations are discouraged and strictly limited

Track all expenditures:

  • Date, vendor, amount, and purpose
  • Include in-kind contributions and corresponding expenses

Know your reporting thresholds:

  • If you raise or spend more than $2,500 in a calendar year, you must file regular finance reports (Form ETHCF-2L)
  • If you expect to stay under $2,500, you can file for an exemption (Form ETHCF-2NA), but must amend your status if you later exceed the threshold

When to file reports:

  • Pre-primary
  • Pre-election
  • Semi-annual (January and July)

Check with your local filing officer to confirm exact deadlines and requirements.

Final Thoughts: Build Your Team and Get Support

Running for office can feel overwhelming—but it’s entirely doable. Having a few trusted friends and volunteers to help you with paperwork, finances, and community outreach can make all the difference. Do not neglect the pre-campaign work that will enable you to become more confident as a candidate and more competent once you are elected. Make sure you study the issues that are relevant to the board on which you are seeking a seat. When studying the issues, make sure you look at them from multiple perspectives and not just through a biased and one-dimensional or ideological lens. This will help you better clarify your own views and help you to become more confident. Sometimes it takes the hard questions from folks with whom you don’t always agree to help you grow and solidify your views. Don’t allow yourself to be pulled into debates about issues which you will have absolutely no authority. Stick to the issues that will be within the authority of the board on which you are seeking a seat.

You’ve got this. And thank you for considering public service. Our communities thrive when everyday people like you get involved.

Need Help?

Have questions? Drop a comment, reply to this post, or reach out via email. I’m here to support you on your journey.

DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Always consult with an attorney, your local, county, or school district clerk’s office, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission, and the IRS for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

#RunForOffice #WisconsinPolitics #FirstTimeCandidate #HowToRunForOffice  

Movements Win When the Unsung Heroes Show Up

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 8, 2025

In every successful movement, it’s not just the person at the podium who makes the difference—it’s the everyday people behind the scenes who keep the wheels turning. The truth is, the most powerful role in any movement isn’t always at the top. It’s often found in the volunteers, organizers, and supporters who commit their time, energy, and hearts to something bigger than themselves.

Lately, in conservative spaces, we’ve seen a concerning trend: too many people want to lead, and not enough are willing to follow. But real impact doesn’t come from everyone trying to be in charge. It comes from people willing to get behind a good leader and move the mission forward—together.

What Makes a True Leader?

True leaders don’t just bark orders or chase the spotlight. They:

  • Cast a clear vision that others can rally behind.
  • Lead with integrity, transparency, and consistency.
  • Empower and encourage others to grow and lead in their own right.
  • Solve problems, build bridges, and keep the mission front and center.
  • Create a culture where people feel seen, valued, and equipped.

Whether they’re guiding an organization, working with candidates, or engaging volunteers and donors, the best leaders know they can’t do it alone. They build teams. They invest in people.

The Power of a Willing Follower

Great followers aren’t passive—they’re purposeful. They:

  • Show up consistently, driven by conviction and values.
  • Use their unique talents—whether it’s knocking doors, designing flyers, making calls, or organizing events—to move the mission forward.
  • Focus on the greater good, not personal credit.
  • Bring energy, humility, and heart to everything they do.

When good leaders are supported by great followers, everyone wins. Volunteers become:

  • Trusted voices in their communities.
  • Force multipliers for outreach and engagement.
  • Pillars of integrity and grassroots strength.

This partnership—between leaders and volunteers—is the heartbeat of any movement.

It’s Not About Titles. It’s About Impact.

Let’s be honest: it’s not always easy to follow someone else’s lead, especially when you’re passionate and full of ideas. But submitting to a good leader with a strong plan isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It takes maturity, discipline, and a team-first mindset to help bring someone else’s vision to life. And often, that’s exactly what’s needed to win.

Conservatives don’t suffer from a lack of ideas—we suffer from too many people pulling in different directions. Too many chiefs. Not enough braves. The result? Mixed messages. Confused voters. Missed opportunities.

Unity doesn’t mean everyone thinks the same—it means everyone moves in the same direction.

Lead Well. Follow Well. Win Together.

When your county or local party has a leader who’s focused on results and growth, that’s something to get behind. But if the energy gets drained by infighting and ego-driven power struggles, the mission loses momentum. We need fewer turf wars and more teamwork.

And that’s where you come in.

The real work of getting conservatives elected doesn’t just happen during rallies or speeches—it happens at kitchen tables, on weekends, and in quiet moments of service. You don’t need a title to make a difference. You just need to show up.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Knock on doors in your neighborhood.
  • Write postcards or letters to voters.
  • Distribute signs and campaign materials.
  • Make calls or send texts for candidates.
  • Coordinate events or rallies.
  • Use your gifts—photography, graphic design, social media, writing, data entry.

The Time Is Now

If you believe in freedom, faith, family, responsibility, and safety—this is your moment. Whether you’re in a red stronghold or a blue city, your voice matters. Find a leader worth following. Show up with everything you’ve got. Be someone your community can count on.

Because the truth is, movements don’t rise because of lone heroes. They rise because a community chose to rise together.

So bring your talents. Bring your passion. And be the kind of follower who helps good leaders lead well.

Forget the Infighting—Your Conservative Vote Still Matters, Even in Blue Cities

By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 8, 2025

In recent years, Republicans have faced a recurring challenge—not from Democrats, but from within their own ranks. Too often, promising candidates and well-organized grassroots movements are derailed by internal squabbles over minor issues. Instead of uniting around shared values and winning strategies, the party wastes time and energy in circular firing squads. The result? Missed opportunities, fractured support, and unnecessary losses at the local and state level.

For many younger conservatives and those living in more urban areas like Dane County, Wisconsin, it’s easy to feel like your vote doesn’t count. Local elections often result in left-leaning liberals taking office—even when their policies don’t reflect the values or concerns of a significant portion of the community. But here’s the hard truth: the problem isn’t just who wins. It’s howRepublicans lose. And too often, they lose because they’re too busy fighting each other.

Petty infighting and rigid purity tests do more than weaken the conservative message—they drive away potential allies and silence voices that are eager to be heard. Public arguments over tone, social media posts, or narrowly defined ideological lines create division, sap energy, and hand easy victories to the opposition. These internal power struggles confuse voters, drain resources, and dampen enthusiasm. It’s hard to inspire turnout when your message is overshadowed by conflict.

And this dysfunction often starts at the top!
Electing the right local and county party leaders matters—more than many people realize. When leadership is focused on strategy, outreach, and results, the whole movement benefits. Conservative voices are amplified, quality candidates are recruited and supported, and voter engagement increases. But when party leaders focus more on smearing other conservatives than on building a winning coalition, the result is toxic and uninviting. It discourages new involvement and pushes away those who simply want to serve, lead, and make a difference. Toxic leadership turns potential allies into bystanders—and that costs elections.

Younger conservatives and voters in blue-leaning areas are especially affected by this dysfunction. Many are passionate about individual freedom, financial stability, public safety, and strong local leadership—but they don’t always see a party unified enough to champion those values. What’s often lost in these arguments is perspective. Most conservatives agree on the fundamentals: liberty, limited government, fiscal responsibility, and strong families. So why let disagreements over tactics or tone take precedence over these shared convictions?

Instead of magnifying differences, we should be building bridges. When local GOP groups spend more time tearing each other down than lifting up candidates, it reinforces the belief that conservative voices in cities and suburbs don’t matter. That’s simply not true.

Conservative values are still relevant, still needed, and still capable of winning hearts—but only if the movement is focused, united, and welcoming. If Republicans want to govern effectively, they need to actually win elections. That means setting aside ego-driven feuds and focusing on what truly matters: real-world issues like jobs, education, energy, national security, and public safety. Local leaders should prioritize voter engagement, register new conservatives, and win over independents through real conversations—not ideological gatekeeping.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome. We must start looking forward and that includes embracing new ideas and strategies for how to win the hearts of voters. This isn’t a call to abandon principle—it’s a call to prioritize. Winning doesn’t mean watering down values or demanding uniformity. It means having the maturity and discipline to choose battles wisely, support strong candidates, and stay focused on the bigger picture. It also means reaching out to newer voters, supporting candidates who address local concerns, and showing up to vote—even when the odds feel stacked. Every vote matters, especially in local elections where policy hits closest to home.

Republicans don’t need to agree on everything—but we must agree that unity is essential. If we want to protect conservative values and make a real impact, we have to stop handing the other side easy wins through internal division and toxic leadership.

It’s time to stop fighting each other and start fighting for something again—our communities, our values, and our future. Unity wins elections. Division hands them over. This is your moment—whether you’re new to the movement, living in a city, or just tired of being written off. Show up. Speak out. And don’t give up on your voice. It matters now more than ever.