On Tuesday, a state judge in Dane County threw out parts of the lame-duck power grabs that Wisconsin Republicans passed after Gov. Scott Walker was defeated in 2018 but before his term expired. This is the second ruling in less than a week to overturn these power-grabbing laws Republicans had passed, which Democrats were unable to repeal once Democratic Gov. Tony Evers took office in part because the GOP's gerrymanders ensured they won solid majorities last year despite 2018's blue wave.
Combined, these two rulings (if upheld) would stop Republicans from stripping executive branch powers from Evers and Democratic state Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with blocking their cuts to early voting availability. However, Republicans are already planning to appeal, which makes the stakes of next Tuesday's Wisconsin Supreme Court election even higher.
Indeed, progressive Judge Lisa Neubauer is facing off against ultra-conservative Judge Brian Hagedorn, who would be likely to side with Republicans on appeal. But if Neubauer prevails and holds onto the seat of a retiring Democratic justice, progressives would then have a chance to gain a 4-to-3 majority in April 2020, when one of the court’s four conservatives will be up for his first election.
Both parties recognize the stakes of these elections for the fate of the GOP's power grabs, voter suppression, and gerrymanders, which is why Republicans are coming to Hagedorn’s rescue with a late seven-figure ad buy.
Please donate $3 now to help Lisa Neubauer turn back this Republican onslaught and ensure fairness for Wisconsin.