Kucksdorf, Koch offer different views of siege

Recent events at nation’s capitol will shape local political strategies
By: 
David Wilhelms
Reporter

Leaders of Shawano County’s two major parties had sharply differing views on the Jan. 6 insurrection in the nation’s capital and views on the direction of their local efforts.

“From my perspective, no one condones violence. I don’t condone violence, but I can understand it,” said Richard Kucksdorf, chairman of the Shawano County Republican Party.

“Violence doesn’t ever solve anything,” he said, referring to his combat experience as a retired member of the U.S. Army.

Jan Koch, chairwoman for the Shawano County Democratic Party, said that her party members are very concerned about what happened in Washington, D.C., but are energized by the election.

“We had people coming out of the woodwork” during the fall election season, Koch said, including a number of people who said they used to be Republicans.

Kucksdorf said there are a lot of “frustrated and pissed-off people,” not just in Shawano County but around the country.

Kucksdorf noted he didn’t see the same level of condemnation or criticism of Antifa or Black Lives Matter coming from politicians, or especially the media, as has been leveled against the protesters in the capital.

“I think America has a lot of frustrated people and not just on the left,” he said.

The party chair likened the mood and tension to rising magma.

“My fear is that pressure is right below the surface,” Kucksdorf said, but he added he didn’t know what will happen next. “What I would ask is, ‘What are these people (referring to the pro-Trump demonstrators) going through?’”

He said one source of frustration was seeing some stores labeled as essential and allowed to remain open while other, often smaller and locally owned businesses, forced to close under COVID-19 shutdown requirements. He added people also were frustrated that some school districts are completely open for in-person classes while others are not.

Kucksdorf said, “I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve had,” ranging from people crying to swearing at him for not doing more during the election.

“Emotions are high,” he said.

Asked for the next steps for the Shawano County party, Kucksdorf said he would focus on local races and get ready for 2022, the next election for Congress.

Koch said the local Democrats are also looking to future elections.

“We want to really make sure whatever candidates run have the best intentions for our democracy and won’t undermine our democracy,” she said. “We’re going to have Trumpism (referring to Donald Trump’s influence on the Republican Party) around for quite a few years and have to have a response.”

“We have to be aware of these far right wing, the right-wing fringe elements. These were the ones who attacked our democracy on Wednesday,” Koch said.

She added there are people out there who might run for office who fit that description.

Koch said the local party had never had so many donations, even without the usual fall fundraiser canceled by the pandemic. The party is hoping to have this year’s fundraiser Oct. 2 at Shawano Lake Golf Course.

She is also hoping to have several party members complete online leader training conducted by the state Democratic Party.

Another initiative is advocating for a fair maps commission to address redistricting this year, Koch said.

Kucksdorf said the county party had never done any recruiting or outreach programs because people will participate or they won’t. He said the Republicans will have an office open to give people the opportunity to participate in politics or just to vent.

That choice has been highlighted in the past month when Kucksdorf said people tend to either be so frustrated they don’t want to be involved in politics or believe the system is so riddled with fraud and misconduct, they don’t believe their votes will count.