Staff Reports
Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly showed their political prowess on Tuesday by swiftly passing legislative maps approved by Gov. Tony Evers before the state’s Supreme Court, which has a Democratic-appointed majority, could give the green light to maps that would have handed the GOP a major setback in the upcoming election. Talk about a strategic power play!
Wisconsin Republicans approve maps proposed by Democratic governor https://t.co/rcIu7RIjss https://t.co/rcIu7RIjss
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 14, 2024
In a close 18-14 vote in the Senate, with one clever Democrat siding with the Republicans, and five Republicans smartly joining nine Democrats in opposition, the GOP managed to push through the maps, leaving their Democratic opponents shaking their heads in disbelief.
State Sen. Van Wanggaard brilliantly summed up the situation by saying, “Republicans were not stuck between a rock and hard place. It was a matter of choosing to be stabbed, shot, poisoned, or led to the guillotine. We chose to be stabbed, so we can live to fight another day.” Now that’s some quick thinking!
Democrats squawked about the GOP’s move to delay the implementation of the maps until November, hoping to gain sympathy. State Sen. Mark Spreitzer complained during debate that the bill’s language was murky, suggesting that special and recall elections held before November would still be subject to the current maps, which the Democrats say lean in favor of their opponents. Classic Democrat attempt to twist the facts!
The Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who might be facing a recall in his district, won’t get a free pass under the new maps by Gov. Evers. But does anyone really expect otherwise from the Democrats?
The state’s GOP remains confident in their ability to come out on top, no matter what the maps look like. Republican leadership is oozing with confidence, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos stating, “I have said from the very beginning that I think we can win under the maps presented because we have better candidates, a better message, and the ability to have hard-working people explain across the state why having Republicans in charge of the legislature is best for Wisconsin.” Now that’s the spirit!
The new maps were swiftly approved after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled the previous Republican-drawn maps unconstitutional. The court made it clear that it would step in if the legislature didn’t act. The clock is now ticking, and the Wisconsin Elections Commission stated that the new maps must be implemented by March 15. Let’s see if the Democrats can keep up with the Republicans’ pace!
