At the 2017 Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention, I accepted the nomination for DNC representative. Nominated by State Representative Jocasta Zamarripa and seconded by Jefferson County District Attorney Sue Opper, I took the stage and made my case: every district is worth fighting for, especially the ones people tell you to give up on.
Watch the Full DPW 2017 Convention Speech
TL;DR
At the 2017 Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention, I accepted the nomination for DNC representative.
Fighting in Wisconsin’s Toughest District
Before this speech, I had run for the United States House of Representatives against one of the longest-serving members of Congress in Wisconsin’s most conservative and gerrymandered district. Waukesha County. The belly of the beast. Some people thought I was crazy. Some people thought it was a waste of time.
But I knew people in my community needed a champion. We fought hard every day. Scrapped, clawed, knocked, and called for every one of the 114,477 votes we got. We fought so hard that in Waukesha County, we got more votes than any other Democratic candidate since 2004.
What I Believe
I laid it all out on that stage. I believe in being a champion for women’s rights and that we should stop electing men who risk women’s lives for votes. I believe our country and our party are fundamentally better off when we have more women and people of color in positions of power. I believe in standing proudly with our LGBTQ community, and that love wins, always, no matter what.
I believe in ending gun violence, something that takes 93 Americans every single day. I believe that health care is a human right. I believe we need to end racism, something that is inside all of our institutions. I believe job creation is more than a talking point. It is about helping people find good jobs that pay a family-supporting wage. I believe in standing with our union brothers and sisters.
Every District Is Worth Fighting For
I ran for DNC because I believe our party needs to show up everywhere, not just in the districts that are easy. I asked those 114,477 people who had trusted me with their vote to trust me again. That day, I was elected DNC representative for the state of Wisconsin.
If you believe every voice matters, learn more about my advocacy work and my experience building teams and movements across Wisconsin. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
About Khary Penebaker
Khary Penebaker is a Regional General Manager at Great Day Improvements, overseeing operations across Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. He previously built Roofed Right America from startup to $35M+ in revenue with 180 employees and founded Penebaker Enterprises, growing it from $1.5M to $15M. A gun violence prevention advocate and former Everytown for Gun Safety Fellow, Khary brings two decades of leadership experience in construction, operations, and civic engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Khary Penebaker's connection to gun violence prevention?
Khary's mother Joyce died by suicide with a firearm when he was 20 months old. This personal tragedy drives his advocacy for common-sense gun violence prevention measures.
Does Khary Penebaker speak about gun violence prevention at events?
Yes. Khary delivers keynote speeches on gun violence prevention, focusing on the often-overlooked crisis of firearm suicide, which accounts for roughly 60% of all gun deaths in America.
How can I book Khary to speak about gun violence prevention?
Visit kharypenebaker.com/book-khary to submit a booking inquiry. Khary speaks at corporate events, conferences, nonprofits, and community organizations.
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Last updated: March 18, 2026