Martha Laning was employed by Target Stores and Kraft Foods before moving to Plymouth, Wisconsin, where she worked as executive director of the Plymouth Intergenerational Center.
12 Facts About Martha Laning
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Martha Laning was one of the founders of the organization, which was started in 2009.
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Martha Laning resigned as director "for personal reasons" in 2013.
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In 2013, Martha Laning announced that she would challenge state Senator Joe Leibham, a Republican, for reelection to his 9th District.
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However, Martha Laning felt that her fundraising skills would give her an advantage in the race.
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Leibham did not seek reelection, instead pursuing the Republican congressional nomination for Wisconsin's 6th congressional district, so Martha Laning faced Sheboygan County Board Chairman Devin LeMahieu in the 2014 general election.
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Martha Laning was defeated in the election, losing by about 20 percentage points.
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In 2015, Martha Laning announced her candidacy to succeed outgoing Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Mike Tate.
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The campaign for the chairmanship was crowded and contentious; Martha Laning faced former party chair Joe Wineke, Milwaukee consultant Jason Rae, and former state representatives Jeff Smith and Stephen Smith.
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Martha Laning was a super-delegate, and pledged support to whoever won the presidential primary in Wisconsin.
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In July 2017, Martha Laning was re-elected to the head of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
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Martha Laning had three challengers for the seat of head of party.