Saturday, July 12, 2025 we will be holding the first of a series of forums featuring the prospective candidates who hope to be squaring off against Howard Marklein in the 17th state Senate district in the fall of 2026. The forum will run from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and it will take place in the Fellowship Hall of the United Methodist Church, 115 W. Merrimac Street in Dodgeville. It is no exaggeration at all to say that the election in the 17th district will be pivotal for determining which party has control of the state Senate in 2027 and 2028. The Senate Democratic leadership has said exactly the same thing. So mark your calendars and do plan to come listen to and and then meet the people who hope to carry the Democratic banner in this crucial, crucial race in November of 2026.