Washington DC – July 2, 2024 – The Italian American Democratic Leadership Council (also known as Italian American Democrats), the longtime voice of Italian Americans in the Democratic Party, today endorsed Peter Barca for Wisconsin’s First District in the U.S. House. The DCCC considers this a top pickup opportunity and has added Barca’s campaign to its Red to Blue program.
“We are proud to endorse Peter Barca to represent Wisconsin’s First District,” said Joseph R. Paolino, Jr., Chairman of the Italian American Democrats, former US Ambassador, and former Mayor of Providence. “Peter’s campaign presents a great opportunity to re-elect an experienced, values-driven, Italian American leader to the U.S. House. He has always stood up for middle-class families.”
“I’m so grateful to once again receive the endorsement of the Italian American Democrats,” said Peter Barca. “My father, who was also named Peter Barca, immigrated from the Calabria region of Italy in 1921. I was born and raised in the thriving Italian-American community of Kenosha and Racine. Additionally, I served as the president of WisItalia for 8 years. I am proud to be backed by the Italian American Democrats and I will continue to fight for Wisconsin families.”
In endorsing Peter Barca, the Italian American Democrats pointed to the fact that Peter has been a member of the Kenosha Italian-American society for 30 years. He led the organization for 10 years, and he remains a member of NIAF and the Sons and Daughters of Italy. He has proven his commitment to supporting Italian American values such as the importance of family and giving back to the community. Peter previously represented Wisconsin in the U.S. House from 1993-95. He served in the state Assembly from 1985-93, when he resigned after winning a special election to Congress. Peter has served in the federal government as the Midwest Regional Administrator to the Small Business Administration. Peter has also served in state government, as Secretary of the state Department of Revenue. As Peter has said, “I’ve always been a pro-business, fiscally conservative Democrat. I fit the district perfectly in my estimation.” If elected, Peter has also said he will work to grow the middle class, defend reproductive freedom, the right to vote, and protect Social Security and Medicare.
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For thirty years, the Italian American Democratic Leadership Council has been the national voice of Italian Americans in the Democratic Party — the national political action committee supporting Italian American candidates for Congress and major statewide offices, reaching out to Italian American voters for their presidential candidates, and promoting the appointment of Italian Americans at the national level.