For those of you wondering about the results of the highest profile race decided last week in the unwise election held in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Supreme Court seat that was up for grabs is being claimed by progressive Jill Karofsky:
Source: Journal-Sentinel
Slate’s Mark Joseph Stern:
The Wisconsin debacle provoked considerable partisan wrangling since both sides correctly understood it to be a dry run for November. This debate largely focused on absentee voting, and whether states should make it easier for voters to mail in their ballots. Trump has vociferously opposed mail-in ballots (which he also uses to vote absentee in Florida), claiming falsely that they are “corrupt” and “fraudulent.” Congressional Republicans have opposed Democratic attempts to establish universal vote-by-mail in the next coronavirus package. The president and his allies are also considering letting the U.S. Postal Service collapse, starving it of emergency funds so it cannot reliably transport ballots in November.
But it was never entirely clear that Republicans’ hunch—that Democrats benefit from widespread mail-in voting—was correct. That suspicion seems to have arisen from the fact that more Democratic states have adopted reforms that expand access to the ballot, including mail-in voting, while conservative states retain a slew of restrictions on the franchise. It may also be rooted in liberal advocates’ staunch opposition to severe limitations on mail-in voting; most lawsuits challenging those limitations were brought by organizations allied with Democrats. But in many states, Republican voters, especially older voters, historically use mail-in voting more than Democrats do.
The Republicans retain a one vote advantage in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, so the victory is about future elections and the electorate. As ever, hotly contested state-wide elections are viewed as bellwethers for the hosting state, and for those who adhere tightly to such a view must be either dejected or jubilant, because this is not only an upset, but currently a six point upset. Assuming it holds, and I would hope that it wasn’t called prematurely, it certainly calls into question the interference of out-of-state forces, which have been engaging in influencing voters for a very long time, but have been becoming more and more brazen in what are truly morally dubious efforts.
More importantly, though, is the effect this failed bet will have on the Republican Party of Wisconsin, as well as the Republican National Committee. Their brand can now be brought under attack by Democrats for forcing voters to choose between good health and voting rights; Republican senior citizens who’ve retained their traditional Midwestern skepticism may leave the Party in disgust, sit out the next election – and possibly even vote Democratic.
All of this must be diluted by the names and reputations of Karofsky and her opponent, Kelly, of course, and I am not conversant with them.
Carrying on, the Republicans, both state and national, are clearly in need of deep reform, although, for reasons I’ve previously stated, it won’t happen until something truly horrible happens to them, electorally speaking.
Democrats now have opportunity, but along with it comes tasks to complete. Quality candidates for the upcoming State Assembly must be recruited and trained, and if they win election, they must come through with sensible legislation.
For Democrats, this victory is only a promise; for Republicans, it’s a warning, and a big one.
