In this update:

• Election Updates
• Administration Updates
• Legislative Updates
• Upcoming Events

Election Updates

Incumbent lawmaker re-election announcements

More lawmakers this week announced their intentions to run for re-election under the new 2023 Act 94 legislative district maps. Listed below are the latest announcements from legislators.

• Rep. Elijah Behnke (R-Oconto) announced his bid for the 4th AD. He currently represents the 89th AD but has been drawn into the 4th AD with incumbent Rep. David Steffen (R) under the new maps. “I didn’t want to be paired,” he said. “We vote alike 98% of the time, but the reason I’m running against him is because I feel like friends and family and Oconto County constituents will get more say in Madison because I’m actually from that community.” Rep. Behnke was first elected in April 2021 in a special election. The new 4th AD has a 66% GOP lean according to the 2022 elections at the top of the ticket.

• Rep. Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon) announced she is running for the new 50th AD. Rep. Jacobson currently represents the 43rd AD and was drawn into the 50th AD with no other incumbents under the new maps, leaving the 43rd open. Rep. Kurtz represents the 50th AD right now, and with the new maps, the district has a 59.2% Democratic lean after having a 62.8% GOP lean based off of the 2022 elections.

• Rep. Alex Dallman (R-Green Lake) announced he will be seeking a third term in the state Assembly; this time in the 39th AD. He currently represents the 41st AD and was drawn into the 39th with no other incumbents. The new 39th has a 68% GOP lean according to the 2022 elections at the top of the ticket.

• Rep. Loren Oldenburg (R-Viroqua) announced is reelection to the 96th AD. He was first elected to the Assembly in 2018 and was drawn into the 96th without another incumbent. However, the new 96th has a 56.7% Democratic lean where the old 96th had a 58.3% GOP lean according to the 2022 elections at the top of the ticket. Former La Crosse County Board Chair Tara Johnson also put in a bid for the seat two weeks ago.

• Rep. John Spiros (R-Marshfield) announced his reelection to the 86th AD. Rep. Spiros was first elected to the 86th AD in 2012 and was redrawn into the 86th under the new maps along with Rep. Donna Rozar (R). Rep. Rozar currently represents the 69th AD which is a 72% GOP leaning open seat. The new 86th AD has a 65.1% GOP lean.

• Rep. Cindi Duchow (R-Town of Delafield) launched her campaign for the 97th AD after representing the 99th AD since 2015. She was drawn into the 97th AD under the new maps along with Rep. Scott Johnson (R). The new 97th now includes areas south of I-94 in the Waukesha County area while also moving west. The new 97th AD has a 69.9% GOP lean according to the 2022 elections.

• Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) announced his reelection bid for the 1st AD. Rep. Kitchens has represented the 1st AD in 2014 and was redrawn into the district under the new maps. He was drawn into the district without any pairs, and the district has a 59.1% GOP lean. He said fixing the state’s reading crisis is one of his top priorities as Chair of the Assembly Education Committee.

• Rep. Tom Michalski (R-Elm Grove) launched his reelection campaign to the 13th AD. Rep. Michalski was elected to represent the 13th AD in 2022 and was redrawn into the district along with Rep. Robyn Vining (D). The new 13th AD has 57.5% Democratic lean, but it previously had a 57.5% GOP lean.

• Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) announced he will be seeking reelection in the 41st AD. Rep. Kurtz currently represents the 50th AD and was first elected to the seat in 2018. He has been drawn into the 41st AD under the new maps. The new 41st AD has a 60.1% GOP lean according to the 2022 election results.

Not running for reelection 

Two incumbent Republican lawmakers this week announced their intention not to seek re-election. Representatives Gae Magnaifici (R-Dresser) and Angie Sapik (R-Lake Nebagamon) join 15 other incumbent lawmakers in not seeking re-election to their current office in 2024.

• Rep. Gae Magnafici (R-Dresser) announced her retirement from the Assembly. “As I prepare to leave public office, my dedication to this community does not waver. I am immensely thankful for the trust and support extended to me over the years and am optimistic about the future prosperity and growth of our great state,” she said. Rep. Magnafici was first elected to the 28th AD in 2018. She was drawn into the 75th AD without another incumbent, leaving the 65.9% GOP leaning seat open.

• Rep. Angie Sapik (R-Lake Nebagamon) announced she will not be running for reelection for Assembly in 2024. She said in her press release, “In the governor’s map, our district changed from nearly 50/50 Republican versus Democrat to an overwhelming 62% Democrat seat. Ultimately, and honestly in the last seconds, I decided to hit the green button and vote for the Governor’s Maps – for the good of the party and what I deemed to be for the good of the state. Essentially, I voted myself out of office to help save the Republican majority.” She first ran for the 73rd AD in 2022 and was redrawn into the district under the new maps. However, the new 73rd AD changed from a 53.2% GOP lean to a 61.3% Democratic leaning seat.

Non-incumbent election announcements

• Duke Tucker (R) launched his campaign for the 75th AD following Rep. Gae Magnafici’s (R) retirement announcement. Mr. Tucker enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in Desert Storm/Shield as a combat communications specialist. He also served as the Operations Manager at Grantsburg Telcom for 28 years. Some of his priorities include: community safety, wise use of hard-earned tax dollars, protect 2nd amendment rights, protect private property rights, and ensure secure and fair elections. The new 75th AD has a 65.9% GOP lean.

• Madison Common Council Alder Nasra Wehelie (D) announced her candidacy for the 80th AD. She said she will bring “a community-centered approach and draws from her lived experiences to address critical issues, including housing, women’s rights, education, economic development, criminal justice reform, and sustainability.” Rep. Mike Bare (D) announced he will be running for reelection for the seat as well.

• Brad Cook (D) announced his bid for the 40th AD. He currently serves on the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, the Town of Pacific Plan Commission, and the Pardeeville Fire Department. The 40th AD is currently held by Rep. Petersen (R), but he was drawn into the 57th AD. Rep. Dave Considine (D) was drawn into the 40th but announced his retirement earlier this year. The new 40th AD has a 55.3% Democratic lean based on the results of the 2022 election at the top of the ticket. Engineer Kyle Kunicki (D) already announced his candidacy for the seat.

Gallagher announces resignation effective April 19

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R) announced he is resigning from his U.S. House seat after announcing earlier this year that he would not be running for reelection in the fall. His resignation announcement did not include a reason for the decision, but his decision does contribute a shrinking GOP majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Ken Buck (R) also announced his resignation on Friday. Once those two resignations are effective Republicans will have an even more slim 217-213 majority in the House of Representatives.

In his statement, Gallagher said “Four terms serving Northeast Wisconsin in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime and strengthened my conviction that America is the greatest country in the history of the world. I will forever be proud of the work I did on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, chairing the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, and chairing the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. It has truly been an honor to serve in the House of Representatives.”

Biden releases new TV ads

President Joe Biden’s campaign launched two new TV ads in Wisconsin “aimed at highlighting the ‘disaster’ former President Trump would be for Black Americans if he is reelected president” according to an article in The Hill. The ads will run through April 21 in Wisconsin and other swing states as well as nationally on Black-owned news platforms and streaming platforms during the NCAA basketball tournament. In both the 30 second ad and the 15 second ad, Pres. Biden says as “bad as Trump was, his economy was worse. Black Americans felt it the most.”

Watch the 30 second ad here.

Watch the 15 second ad here.

Emerson College Polling/The Hill releases new poll

Emerson College Polling/The Hill released a poll this week tracking the presidential and senate race in Wisconsin. The survey found a 2024 rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden in Wisconsin is within the margin of error. According to the survey Donald Trump has the support of 46% of Wisconsin registered voters while Pres. Biden has the support of 43%. In February, the survey had Trump at 45% and Biden at 42%. When third party candidates are included as an option, Trump receives 43%, Biden 40%, and Robert Kennedy Jr. 6%. Cornel West and Jill Stein each receive 1%. In February, the survey had 41% supporting Trump, 37% supporting Biden, 7% supporting Kennedy and 1% supporting Cornel West and Jill Stein respectively.

The poll also has Wisconsin’s US Senate race within the margin of error. In their latest survey, Emerson found U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) leading GOP candidate Eric Hovde 45% to 42%. In their February poll, Emerson had Sen. Baldwin at 46% and Mr. Hovde at 39% among registered voters.

The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters March 14-18. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. FiveThirtyEight rates Emerson College Polling/The Hill 2.9 stars out of 3 stars.

Administration Updates

Evers takes action on 98 bills

Governor Tony Evers (D) took action on 98 bills in addition to the electric vehicle bills. He signed forty-eight bills and vetoed six in his first round of bills that he took action on. Gov. Evers then signed an additional forty-four bills later in the week. Among the legislation signed into law was AB-574, which regulates earned wage access services and programs. Also signed was AB 664, which requires disclosures on political advertisements when artificial intelligence is used to generate content. Several of the bills vetoed by the governor relate to the administration of elections. Also vetoed was AB 476, which would have prohibited the governor from filling vacancies in the offices of secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, and state superintendent of public instruction through appointment without confirmation by the state Senate.

For the first list of signed and vetoed bills, click here.

For the second list of signed bills, click here.

Evers signs EV bills

Governor Tony Evers (D) signed into law SB 791 and SB 792, now 2023 Wisconsin Acts 121 and 122, which enables WisDOT to receive and administer more than $78 million in federal funds under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to support electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. “We don’t have to choose between protecting our environment and natural resources or creating good-paying jobs and infrastructure to meet the needs of a 21st-Century economy—in Wisconsin, we’re doing both,” said Gov. Evers. “Expanding EV charging infrastructure is a critical part of our work to ensure Wisconsin is ready to compete and build the future we want for our kids—one that is cleaner, more sustainable, and more efficient. Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re ready to get to work.”

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) said the federal dollars going to electric charging stations are “such a waste” and a “big, huge boondoggle,” adding that electric vehicles won’t be the reality of where the nation is in a decade and the money should be going towards fixing roads.

Legislative Updates

Vos speaks at WisPolitics luncheon

WisPolitics hosted a luncheon to chat with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) to reflect on this session, look ahead to future sessions, and discuss the November elections. Below are some other topics covered during the talk:

• His recall
• New maps
• Bipartisan agreements
• Education
• Right of First Refusal (ROFR)
• Medical marijuana
• Transportation

Watch the talk here.