Local Clerks in a New Ad Campaign Emphasize the Trust We Place in Our Neighbors to Run Elections

“Big Lie” accusations would have to overcome 1,800 municipal clerks and many more local volunteers.

Organizations representing Wisconsin’s local governments on Friday launched an ad campaign to help build public trust in the state’s election system after Republicans have for nearly two years villainized election officials over lies of widespread election fraud in the 2020 election.

“We trust our local elections because our friends, families, and neighbors run them,” Kohler Deputy Clerk Cindi Gamb says in the first ad, titled “We Trust Them.” The ad features Gamb, Town of Neenah Clerk Ellen Skreke, and Cobb Clerk Lisa Riley talking about their connections to their neighbors.

The ad campaign is part of a joint effort by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Wisconsin Counties Association, and Wisconsin Towns Association. Ads will run statewide on TV, radio, and websites starting Monday and running through the spring election on April 5.

“This statewide campaign will help demonstrate to Wisconsinites that our election process can be trusted,” Jerry Deschane, executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, said in a statement. “The clerks, poll workers, and election officials are your trusted local community members. Wisconsinites can trust the election process, because our local clerks, poll workers, and election officials are our friends, family members, and neighbors.”