Open Supreme Court Seat Attracts Four Candidates

The 2023 spring election will feature a statewide race for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Justice Patience Roggensack is retiring after 20 years on the state’s highest court. First elected in 2003 and reelected in 2013, Justice Roggensack also served as chief justice from 2015 to 2021. This race has implications for […]

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Sen. Darling Retires; Special Election to Take Place in the Spring

State Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) retired on December 1, stepping down in the middle of her eighth term in office. She announced her retirement two weeks after the November 2022 election. Sen. Darling served in the Wisconsin Legislature for a total of 32 years, representing the 8th Senate District since 1993. She served on […]

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2022 Election Results

Based on available results as of Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 10:30 AM. United States Senate Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (50.5 percent) won a third six-year term, defeating Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (49.5 percent). Governor Democratic Gov. Tony Evers (51.2 percent) defeated Republican challenger Tim Michels (47.8 percent). Evers’ running-mate Rep. Sara […]

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2022 Election Preview

Political Environment Historically, midterm elections in the first term of a presidency are rather textbook in nature. Whichever party has recently won the presidency tends to face an unfavorable electoral environment. On average, the party in power loses 36 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and faces challenges in races from the top to […]

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Where the Gubernatorial Candidates Stand on Environmental and Energy Policy

A recent poll of Wisconsin voters found that 69 percent are “very” or “somewhat concerned” about climate change, an issue affecting many aspects of environmental and energy policy. This year’s gubernatorial candidates, incumbent Gov. Tony Evers (D) and challenger Tim Michels (R), have addressed these issues in various public appearances throughout the campaign. Although neither […]

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Statewide Candidates Hold October Debates

October has been the month for political debates in Wisconsin as candidates try to close the deal with voters in the final weeks before the general election on November 8. Read on for more information about the debates between candidates for statewide offices. U.S. Senate (October 7 & 13) Incumbent U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R) […]

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New Marquette Poll Forecasts Tight Statewide Races as Candidates Schedule Debates

The latest Marquette University Law School Poll, released September 14, shows a tight statewide race between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and his Republican challenger, construction executive Tim Michels. Among likely voters, 47 percent said they support Gov. Evers, while 44 percent support Michels. The margin of error for likely voters was 4.9 percent. The previous […]

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Judges Announce Campaigns for Supreme Court Next Year

Two state judges have announced campaigns for the Wisconsin Supreme Court next year for the seat currently occupied by Justice Patience Roggensack, who plans to retire. The race will appear on the nonpartisan spring ballot in April 2023. Justices in Wisconsin serve staggered 10-year terms. On May 25, Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz announced her […]

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Wisconsin Republican Convention: Party Won’t Endorse in Statewide Primaries

The Republican Party of Wisconsin held its annual convention last weekend (May 20-22) in Middleton. Elected officials, party leaders, and activists gathered to hear speeches, meet candidates, and vote on a slate of potential endorsements in contested primary elections. Candidates seeking the state party’s official endorsement needed the support of 60 percent of party delegates […]

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Reverses Earlier Redistricting Decision, Selects Republican Legislative Maps

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has adopted state legislative maps proposed by Republican legislative leaders, a reversal of the court’s earlier decision adopting maps proposed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). On April 15, the state’s high court issued what is likely to be its final ruling related to the current cycle of redistricting in Wisconsin. The […]

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