Ahead of a battleground election on new maps, Wisconsin Republicans are pushing last-minute power grabs to maintain as much control as possible
WASHINGTON — Wisconsin Republicans are yet again weaponizing their legislative majorities to upset the balance of power in the state by stripping Democratic Gov. Tony Evers of key powers. Well aware that they are likely to lose seats in the upcoming November election, Republicans have placed two ballot measures on tomorrow’s primary ballot that could deny the governor the authority to effectively respond to emergencies, including distributing federal aid to assist in a crisis, without permission from the GOP-controlled legislature. This is only the latest in a years-long GOP crusade to undermine the power of the Democratic governor since he took office in 2018.
Wisconsin’s Republican majorities have repeatedly leaned into power grabs and rampant gerrymandering to pursue their extreme MAGA agenda. These dangerous GOP pushes to upend checks and balances illustrate the importance of building Democratic power in the state legislature. 2024 is the first year in over a decade that legislative races will be run on fair maps after blatant Republican gerrymandering. Building Democratic power in both chambers is a top priority for the DLCC this cycle, and Wisconsinites have a real opportunity to check GOP extremism by altering the balance of power in the state legislature.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Interim Communications Director Sam Paisley issued the following statement:
“The ballot measures facing Wisconsin voters tomorrow are a blatant power grab designed by the GOP majorities to cling to power as they face the increased likelihood of losing seats this November. This isn’t the first attempt by the Republican-led legislature to strip the established powers of the Democratic governor, and it raises the stakes for the legislative elections this fall. Wisconsinites deserve leaders who adhere to democratic principles, and these brazen attempts to consolidate Republican power do not represent the best interests of the people or the state. This November is the first year since 2011 that fair maps will be in place for state legislative races, and the DLCC is committed to ensuring Wisconsinites’ voices are heard as we build Democratic defenses against dangerous MAGA extremism taking over the Republican-controlled legislature.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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