FIVE (DEMOCRATIC) CANDIDATES, FIVE EPISODES. The Eau Claire Chamber will publish its new podcast series, "The Ballot Brief" (logo pictured), on July 13. Featuring five episodes roughly 30-55 minutes in length, its aim is to localize statewide topics for Chippewa Valley listeners.

The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce has rolled out a brand new podcast in hopes of cutting through national media noise to help Chippewa Valley residents get to know the Democratic candidates running for Governor this year.

“The Ballot Brief” is a five-episode podcast series hosted by Chamber Director of Advocacy, Erica Bodden.

Just weeks ahead of the Aug. 11 primary election, locals will hear each Democratic candidate – Mandela Barnes, Joel Brennan, Francesa Hong, Sara Rodriguez and Kelda Roys – discuss a line of topics the Chamber has identified as prevalent to residents.

Those topics will range from data centers to workforce challenges, healthcare costs, housing, childcare, governing in a “purple state” and more, Bodden shared with Volume One.

“Our hope with this series was to have meaningful conversations about the issues affecting our community, giving listeners a better understanding of each candidate’s background, vision for Wisconsin and what that could mean for the Chippewa Valley.”

ERICA BODDEN

DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY, EAU CLAIRE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

“In a race with six candidates, it’s nearly impossible to understand where every candidate stands through social media, news coverage, or debates with limited speaking time,” Bodden said.

Each episode is about 30-55 minutes long, “allowing (the Chamber) to move beyond headlines and soundbites to better capture the candidates, their platforms and even a bit of their personalities,” Bodden said.

Listeners and viewers will note the Chamber’s new podcast series does not feature episodes with Republican gubernatorial candidates, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Andrew Manske.

That decision was made due to the crowded race on the Democratic end of the equation, “and there (being) essentially no competition in the Republican primary,” Bodden said.

Notably, the Chamber is a nonpartisan organization and does not endorse candidates in any political race.

See who's on the ballot this August

Head to myvote.wi.gov, click the “What's On My Ballot” tab and enter your address to see an example ballot ahead of the Tuesday, Aug. 11 primary election.

The primary is a partisan election, requiring residents to vote within one political party (in Wisconsin, those choices are: Republican, Democratic, Constitution, Libertarian and Wisconsin Green).

Ballots will include the gubernatorial race, selections for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Congress and Senate representatives, among others. Folks could also see selections for sheriff and circuit court clerks, for their respective counties.

Bodden emphasized the Chamber’s intention to provide the community with unbiased information, as it historically has through various questionnaires, video interviews, in-person events and more over the years.

“Our hope with this series was to have meaningful conversations about the issues affecting our community, giving listeners a better understanding of each candidate’s background, vision for Wisconsin and what that could mean for the Chippewa Valley,” Bodden said.

“The Ballot Brief” podcast series from the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce can be accessed online through its designated YouTube playlist, with more information available at www.eauclairechamber.org/advocacy/the-ballot-brief/.