Martha Laning, one of our four state Senate endorsements in Wisconsin.
Republicans are America's minority party, representing a minority of its people. That's why they are doing everything possible to
limit access to voting. And Republicans in Wisconsin are
no different than their brethren in other places.
A federal appeals court on Friday permitted Wisconsin to restore a requirement that voters provide photo identification before casting their ballots, allowing the long-debated state law to take effect in time for a hard-fought election on Nov. 4 [...]
The finding was seen as a victory for Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who along with a Republican-controlled Legislature had approved the requirement in 2011 and who faces a re-election challenge from Mary Burke, a Democrat, in November. The law was put on hold not long after it was enacted, as challenges were filed in state and federal courts.
Scott Walker faces a
neck-and-neck battle against Democrat Mary Burke, who we
endorsed back in June. If the governor was confident of winning based on democratic principles such as "a majority of the popular vote," he wouldn't be working so hard to suppress the vote of his own constituents. But this is all Republicans have left. They don't stand a chance in a fair fight.
So what do we do? Well, we beat them despite their undemocratic efforts. And to do that, we have to engage.
In Wisconsin, it's not just about sending Walker packing. It's about clearing out all the crud that swept in during the GOP's 2010 wave. That means the governor, of course, but the state legislature as well.
Currently, Republicans have a three-seat majority in the state Senate, well within reach of a Democratic majority. Republicans still have a big majority in the state assembly, but first thing's first. Let's get the governor's mansion. Let's get the Senate. With that, Wisconsin Democrats can abandon their defensive posture and go on the offensive, and they'll have two of the three legs for the next redistricting battle. Because if you—outside of Wisconsin—care about nothing else, care about this: President Barack Obama won the state by six points in 2012, yet Republicans hold five of the state's eight U.S. House seats.
Along with voter suppression, gerrymandering of legislative districts allows minority Republicans to retain some measure of control. It's not like they're going to win on popularity, love or respect. So long-term control of the House runs through fair district lines in states like Wisconsin.
So we're endorsing Dean Debroux (SD-01), Martha Laning (SD-09), Pat Bomhack (SD-17), and Penny Bernard Schaber (SD-19)—the candidates that give us our best shot at retaking control of the Senate.
Walker's Wisconsin has been a huge thorn on our side the past four years. It's time for us to finish what we started. Support Mary Burke, and support the Democrats fighting to retain control of the state Senate. Even $3 helps!