Our History

We the People/Wisconsin was launched on March 28, 1992, when more than 300 citizens gathered at three town hall meetings in Wisconsin and Minnesota to discuss issues and pose questions to Democratic presidential contenders Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown. Since then, We the People/Wisconsin has sponsored more than 30 live, televised forums, four statewide conferences and more than four dozen town hall meetings across the state.

Of these forums, half have focused on statewide elections, including governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Supreme Court and state Superintendent of Schools. The others have been devoted to issues such as the federal budget deficit, state spending and taxes, health care reform, youth concerns, the future of the University of Wisconsin, teen violence, land use and energy.

As Wisconsin celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1998, We the People/Wisconsin embarked on a 12-month project that looked at how the first 150 years had been shaped - and what issues needed to guide its future. In four separate programs that began in the fall of 1997, We the People/Wisconsin focused on the family, race and culture, land use and jobs and the economy. Those programs led to a "Citizens' Charter" that was discussed in fall election forums for U.S. Senate and governor.

From 1999 to 2000, We the People/Wisconsin focused its efforts on health in a year-long series called "Growing Up ....Growing Older." Three public conferences, several statewide broadcasts and multi-media coverage blanketed the state with societal, ethical and political issues that affect children, individuals and the elderly. The project culminated in a state-wide discussion with experts and candidates on these important healthcare issues.

In 2001, We the People/Wisconsin focused on the race for State Superintendent and one of the state's most critical issues - the future of energy.

In 2002 and 2004, We the People/Wisconsin took candidates for Governor and U.S. Senate "on the road" to meet with citizens across the state.