The following is the statement of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning with regards to the passing of former Democratic Party Chair William "Bill" Gerrard over the previous weekend: 

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Bill Gerrard at this very difficult time. Gerrard's contributions to the party were invaluable including his tireless effort to elect one of Wisconsin's most influential governors, the late Gov. Patrick Lucey. 

"Gerrard's organizational skills transformed the Democratic Party into a more professional organization and his fundraising prowess helped turn the party into a formidable political organization capable of competing at all levels of government. 

"Bill was of a generation of Wisconsin Democrats who greatly influenced much of what we take for granted today in Wisconsin government and in the structure of the Democratic Party.
He will be greatly missed."