In this update:

• Election Updates
• Legislative Updates
• Administration Updates
• Redistricting Updates

Election Updates

Lawmaker election announcements

Following Governor Tony Evers (D) signing 2023 Act 94 into law last month, more lawmakers have been making plans on how to adjust to the new legislative maps. Listed below are the latest announcements from legislators.

• Rep. Samba Baldeh (D) announced his bid for the new 16th SD. He currently represents the 48th AD and decided to run for Sen. Melissa Agard’s (D) seat when she announced she would not be seeking reelection. The new 16th has a 66.1% Democratic lean according to the 2022 election results at the top of the ticket. Rep. Melissa Ratcliff (D) and Rep. Jimmy Anderson (D) have also expressed interest in the 16th SD.

• Rep. Jodi Emerson (D) announced she is running for reelection for the 91st AD. The new 91st has shifted east compared to her current 91st and will decrease to a 54.8% Democratic lean from a 65.2% Democratic lean. Rep. Karen Hurd (R) was drawn into the 91st with Rep. Emerson but has announced her bid for the 69th AD instead.

• Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R) announced she is seeking reelection in the 12th SD. Sen. Felzkowski was first elected to the state Assembly in 2012 before joining the Senate in 2020. Sen. Felzkowski remains in the 12th SD without other incumbents and the district maintains its GOP lean of 65.4% based off the 2022 election results at the top of the ticket.

• Rep. Rob Brooks (R) announced his candidacy for the 59th AD. Rep. Brooks has represented the 60th AD for nine years and has now been drawn into the new 59th without being paired with any other incumbents. The new 59th AD has a 75.2% GOP lean according to the 2022 election results at the top of the ticket.

• Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D) announced she is seeking reelection in the 66th AD. Rep. Neubauer was first elected to the state assembly in 2018 in a special election. Rep. Neubauer currently represents the 66th AD and was drawn into the district without any other incumbents. The new 66th has a 55.6% Democratic lean.

• Sen. Patrick Testin (R) announced his reelection campaign for the 24th SD. Sen. Testin was first elected to the Senate in 2016. The new 24th has a 57.5% GOP lean and does not pair Sen. Testin with another incumbent. The district now has Black River Falls but no longer includes east of Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids.

• Rep. Barbara Dittrich (R) announced her bid for the 99th AD. Rep. Dittrich has previously represented the 38th AD but has been drawn into the 99th AD under the new maps, leaving the 38th open. Rep. Duchow currently represents the 99th AD and has been drawn into the 97th AD, leaving Rep. Dittrich as the sole incumbent. The new 99th AD has a 69.3% GOP lean based off of the 2022 election results at the top of the ticket.

Non-incumbent election announcements

• Former Sun Prairie Council President Bill Connors (D) announced his bid for the 48th AD. Mr. Connors was an alder on the Sun Prairie City Council from 2015 through early 2020 and was elected twice to serve as the Council President. Rep. Samba Baldeh (D) currently represents the district and announced his bid for the 16th SD, leaving the seat open. The 48th AD has a 69.2% Democratic lean according to the 2022 election results.

• Renuka Mayadev (D) announced her candidacy for the 77th AD. She is an attorney, public policy strategist, and public health expert who is running to protect “reproductive rights, the well-being of all Wisconsin’s children and families, and the very future of our democracy from the Ultra MAGA right.” The 77th AD is currently held by Rep. Shelia Stubbs who was drawn into the 78th, leaving the 77th open. The district has an 86.8% Democratic lean according to the results of the 2022 election at the top of the ticket. Dane County Board member Chuck Erickson announced his bid for the 77th last week. The primary will be on August 13th.

Vos recall effort appears to have fallen short

The group trying to recall Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) turned in their petition signatures on Monday. According to recall organizer Matthew Snorek, more than 10,000 signatures were turned in. The group needed 6,850 valid signatures to initiate a recall election. However, an initial review by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) found the recall organizers did not obtain the necessary number of valid signatures to trigger a recall regardless of which lines would be used under that recall election. The precursory review found only 5,905 signatures from the current 63rd AD — which is the district Speaker Vos was elected in when the recall began — 945 short of the number needed to trigger a recall election. The preliminary review also found only 3,364 signatures within the lines of the new 33rd Assembly District, which is the district Speaker Vos was draw into under the new 2023 Act 94 maps.

WEC agency staff sought clarification from elections commissioners during a March 12th meeting to determine which district boundaries should be used when assessing signatures for the recall petition. In a memo to commissioners, staff noted “Representative Vos was elected from the old Assembly District 63. His residence would now place him in the new Assembly District 33, but some of his previous voters now reside within the new Assembly District 66. Staff seeks guidance from the Commission concerning how staff should conduct the second review of signatures.” The memo noted typical practice would require the recall to take place using the lines from which the officeholder subject to recall was elected, which is the 63rd AD. However, because of the Supreme Court’s injunction on using the old legislative maps, agency staff questioned under what lines a recall election would take place and by extension, where the signatures would need to come from. Elections Commissioners responded by voting in favor of asking the state Department of Justice to petition the state Supreme Court. The WisDOJ motion, which was filed today, seeks clarification on which district boundaries should be used for a possible recall.

In a statement, Speaker Vos questioned whether the signatures for the recall petition were collected illegally. He promised to evaluate each signature to confirm its accuracy and implored Republicans in Racine to “reject this misguided effort on principle alone.” He has 10 days after the signatures were submitted to challenge their sufficiency. WEC must make a determination on the maps by April 11. Agency staff noted a possible timeline for the recall election would include a primary May 21 with the recall election on June 18.

Biden visits Milwaukee

President Joe Biden visited a Boys & Girls Club in Milwaukee this week to tout a $3 billion federal grant program to help communities divided by decades-old transportation infrastructure projects. Prior to the stop, the White House announced $36 million to help communities in the 6th Street corridor impacted by the construction of I-94/I-43 in the 1960s. President Biden said it will provide safer bike lanes, new bus lanes, and other improvements to neighborhoods that were disproportionately impacting low-income people and communities of color after transportation projects of the 1960s. “You’ve lived and felt the decisions made decades ago. Today, we’re making decisions to transform your life for decades to come,” Pres. Biden said. He kept most of his remarks focused on infrastructure but directed a few critical remarks at former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

President Biden also made a stop at his state campaign headquarters in Milwaukee and said his campaign in Wisconsin is “going to get down to knocking on doors, the old-fashioned way.” He also said “No one should be jailed for just using and possessing marijuana and it staying on their record.”

In a press release, Republican Party of Wisconsin Chair Brian Schimming dismissed the president’s visit, pointing to high inflation, as well as lost jobs in the manufacturing and dairy industries. “On Joe Biden’s watch, Wisconsin has lost 6,000 manufacturing jobs and 455 dairy farms in the last year,” said Mr. Schimming. “Instead of paying us a visit to brag about his abysmal record, the President should be offering working families an apology for Bidenomics.”

Watch the video.

Biden targets WI with new ad

President Joe Biden’s campaign is releasing a $30 million ad campaign in Wisconsin along with six other states. The six-week campaign will broadcast on national and local cable in the Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay markets. It also includes a digital component that has an emphasis on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. The ad, entitled “For You” opens with the President saying, “Look I’m not a young guy. That’s no secret. But here’s the deal, I understand how to get things done for the American people.”

Watch the ad here.

Hovde launches new ad

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde is releasing a new ad called “Can’t Be Bought,” that will be aired on broadcast, cable, and satellite TV statewide. The ad is included in a previously announced seven-figure buy. In the ad, he said he won’t accept special interest money and would donate his salary to charity if he were elected, saying he “he can’t be bought.”

Watch the ad.

Mayor Johnson launches first ad in reelection bid

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson is launching his first ad of this election cycle entitled “Looking Up,” to tout his efforts to decrease reckless driving and reduce crime. The ad is included in a six-figure buy that will run through the April 2 election on broadcast TV and streaming services.

Watch the ad here.

Senate Majority PAC announced $14 million reserved for WI

Senate Majority PAC announced it has $14 million reserved for TV ads in Wisconsin for the fall. The $14 million is on top of a more than $2 million buy the group has targeting Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde. The ad reservations span across the country for a total $239 million buy. Other states include: Ohio, $65 million; Montana, $45 million; Pennsylvania, $42 million; Nevada, $36 million; Arizona, $23 million; and Michigan, $14 million.

Republican Voters Against Trump to spend $50 million on ads

Republican Voters Against Trump announced plans to spend $50 million on an ad campaign targeting former President Donald Trump. The ads will be featured on TV, streaming, radio, billboards and digital in six states, including Wisconsin. There are no details yet on a total spend in Wisconsin, what markets it will appear in, or a start date. The ads consist of testimonials from more than 100 voters who have previously voted for Donald Trump and why they no longer will support him.

To see the Wisconsin testimonials, click here.

Legislative Updates

End of Session

The Senate was on the floor for the last time this session on Tuesday while the Assembly held its final floor session in February. PFAS mitigation, education, tax cuts, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure are just a few of the numerous issues addressed in bills that have been passed by the legislature and must be sent to Gov. Tony Evers by April 4th for his signature or veto. The full list of enrolled bills can be viewed here.

Several bipartisan accomplishments were achieved this session, including increased shared revenue for municipalities, literacy reform, and keeping the Brewers in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, there were still significant pieces of legislation left on the table that will likely be revisited next session.

See the full list of bills signed into law this session: click here

See the full list of vetoes: click here

Senate rejects eight Evers appointees

The state Senate rejected eight of Governor Tony Evers’ (D) appointments on the floor this week. The Senate rejected four nominees to the Judicial Commission and approved one nominee, Mary Beth Keppel. She is a retired attorney and the past president of Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center and was approved 27-5. Three of the rejections were along party lines. Sen. Rob Cowles (R) voted in favor of Jane Foley’s nomination with his Democratic colleagues. Sen. Van Wanggaard said the picks were political and were unprepared to answer basic questions that raised concerns about their qualifications.

The Senate also rejected two appointments to the UW Board of Regents. Both appointees opposed Speaker Robin Vos’ (R) deal with UW leaders to decrease DEI positions in exchange for funding. The Senate also rejected Terrance Craney, a former president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, as a public member of the Deferred Compensation Board. They also rejected Mildred Gonzales to the Council of Domestic Abuse despite her being approved 5-0 in the Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families Committee.

Rejected Judicial Commission nominees:

• Yulonda Anderson, a senior client services specialist with the Milwaukee-Trial Office of the State Public Defender;
• Jane Foley, a retired victim advocate from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office;
• Janet Jenkins, an attorney who worked as an investigator for the council when she was in private practice; and
• Judy Ziewacz, served as deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Rejected UW Board of Regents nominees:

• John Miller, a Democratic donor and businessman;
• Dana Wachs, a former Democratic member of the Assembly.

Gov. Evers was critical of Republican Senators for the rejections, saying in a press release, “Senate Republicans are continuing their unprecedented efforts to baselessly fire capable, qualified Wisconsinites who are volunteering their skills, time, and energy to serve our state, and for no reason other than petty, partisan politics. We work incredibly hard to appoint the best candidates to every role, so to have these folks’ service to our state politized like this just because they don’t bend to the will of certain politics or politicians—it’s ridiculous. Republicans have turned a basic duty of government into a political circus, and the ones who pay the price are the people of Wisconsin.”

In a different press release, Gov. Evers announced new appointments to each of the boards. He appointed retired financial consultant Timothy Graham to the Deferred Compensation Board, and the director of the Office of Victim Services and Programs at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Elizabeth Lucas to the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse.

The new appointees to the Judicial Commission are:

• Barbara Notestein, a former Democratic member of the Assembly;
• Roberta Gassman, a former Department of Workforce Development secretary;
• Analiese Eicher, a Dane County supervisor; and
• John Hendricks, a retired teacher and superintendent.

The new appointees to the UW Board of Regents are:

• Haben Goitom, a business professional and attorney, and
• Amy Traynor, the lead teacher at Anthony Acres School in the Mondovi School District.

Bare elected as Assembly Democratic caucus secretary

Rep. Mike Bare (D) was elected Assembly Democratic caucus secretary this week. He was unopposed going into the election, following Rep. Kristina Shelton (D) stepping down after her announcement that she is not running for reelection in the fall. In a press release, Rep. Bare wrote “I thank my colleagues for electing me a member of the Assembly Democratic Caucus leadership team. We have a diverse, capable, and accomplished caucus. We are capable of creating and enacting a vision for the future that will benefit Wisconsinites, and I am excited to work with our leadership team to accomplish that.”

Administration Updates

Marcus Hawkins appointed to PSC

Governor Tony Evers (D) announced his appointment of Marcus Hawkins to the Public Service Commission (PSC). The appointment comes after the Senate did not approve PSC Commissioner Tyler Huebner’s appointment. Mr. Hawkins is the executive director of the Organization of MISO States (OMS). Prior to OMS, he was a senior engineer at the PSC and a program manager and engineer at Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation. Mr. Hawkins’ appointment is to begin April 8, 2024, and he will serve for the remainder of the term ending March 1, 2027.

“Marcus Hawkins’ experience working with utilities and his proven commitment to the state have well-prepared him to take on the role of commissioner,” said Gov. Evers. “We have important work ahead of us at the PSC, from expanding access to high-speed internet to building 21st-century clean energy infrastructure across our state, and I’m glad to have Marcus’ expertise back at the PSC and know that he will serve the people of Wisconsin well.”

Evers acts on 15 bills

Gov. Tony Evers signed 15 bills into law this week. In a press release announcing the bills he signed, Gov. Evers gave special praise to Senate Bill 99, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 106, which provides additional eligibility for municipalities to fund water quality improvement projects under the Clean Water Fund Program. “Since Day One, my administration has been working to ensure that every Wisconsinite, no matter their ZIP code, can trust the water from their tap is clean, healthy, and safe,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m proud to be signing a bill today that will expand the Clean Water Fund Program, helping ensure communities across the state have the resources they need to bolster their infrastructure and replace and modernize aging systems.”

Read the full list of bills that Gov. Evers took action on: click here

Redistricting Updates

GOP lawmakers request SCOWIS to dismiss redistricting case

Republican lawmakers have formally requested the state Supreme Court dismiss the redistricting lawsuit, saying the case is no longer relevant after Governor Tony Evers (D) signed his maps into law. The motion came after the justices declined to act on Gov. Evers’ recent request for the court to retain jurisdiction in the redistricting suit to “entertain motions and address other proceedings” since it was unclear if the new maps apply to elections before the November elections. The state Supreme Court responded they would not take any action on the governor’s letter or any others that were not formal motions.

In their motion to dismiss, the GOP lawmakers referred to previous court writings in which the court said it would retain jurisdiction in the case only to ensure maps were adopted in time for the 2024 election. The motion argued the new maps solve the contiguity issues that were used as the foundation for the maps being ruled unconstitutional. With the contiguity issues resolved and new maps passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, the Republican legislators urged the court to dismiss the lawsuit.