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Ben Wikler

Chair, Wisconsin Democratic Party

2025 Transforming Party Powerful IDEA Award Winner

About the Award

The Transforming Party Award recognizes a transformative leader who has made the Democratic Party more inclusive, effective, and responsive to the communities it serves. Through innovation, persistence, and unwavering commitment to progressive values, this honoree drives the Party toward victories while embedding equity into its DNA and ensuring its evolution as a vehicle for meaningful change.

About Ben Wikler

Ben Wikler has transformed the Wisconsin Democratic Party into a national model of grassroots strength and digital innovation, demonstrating what it means to lead with both principle and precision in one of America’s most critical battlegrounds.

As Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Wikler has rebuilt a state party infrastructure that combines year-round organizing with cutting-edge digital strategy. His leadership has created a sustainable model for Democratic success that extends far beyond election cycles, emphasizing coalition-building and empowering local leaders across Wisconsin’s diverse communities.

Transformational Leadership

Wikler’s approach to party leadership represents a fundamental shift in how Democratic organizations can operate and thrive:

Grassroots Innovation: Under his leadership, the Wisconsin Democratic Party has become a testing ground for innovative organizing strategies that combine traditional field work with modern digital engagement, creating new pathways for voter participation and volunteer recruitment.

Year-Round Organizing: Rather than ramping up only during election seasons, Wikler has built a party infrastructure that maintains consistent community engagement, relationship-building, and advocacy work throughout the political cycle.

Coalition Building: His leadership emphasizes bringing together diverse constituencies across Wisconsin’s urban, suburban, and rural communities, recognizing that lasting political change requires broad-based coalitions that reflect the state’s full diversity.

Resilience Under Pressure: Operating in a state subject to relentless right-wing attacks and voter suppression efforts, Wikler has demonstrated how Democratic leaders can maintain both defensive and offensive strategies while preserving democratic institutions and values.

National Impact

Wikler’s work in Wisconsin has inspired a generation of organizers, candidates, and party leaders across the country. His model of party leadership—combining digital innovation with deep community organizing—has been studied and replicated by Democratic organizations nationwide.

His success in one of America’s most contested battleground states has provided crucial insights for how Democratic parties can compete and win in challenging political environments while building sustainable infrastructure for long-term success.

Recognition at the 2025 Powerful IDEA Awards

Ben Wikler will receive the Transforming Party Award at the 2025 Powerful IDEA Awards ceremony on June 25, 2025, at Capital Turnaround in Washington, DC. This recognition honors his visionary leadership in reshaping Democratic party infrastructure and his commitment to building inclusive, values-driven, people-powered institutions.

The award celebrates leaders who demonstrate that party transformation is not just possible—it’s essential for democracy’s future. Wikler’s work exemplifies how principled leadership, innovative strategy, and unwavering commitment to progressive values can create lasting change within our democratic institutions.

*The Powerful IDEA Awards are GAIN Power’s annual recognition program celebrating excellence in progressive politics and democracy work. The 2025 ceremony recognizes transformational talent, inspirational organizations, powerful programs, creative communications, and transformative technology that power progressive politics and impact democracy, elections, and advocac



Ben Wikler, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, maintains an active presence across various social media platforms. Here are his official accounts you can follow: 

Substack: benwikler.com

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