Is Wisconsin's GOP Giving Up Its Gerrymandering Advantage Just Like That? Don't Buy The Hype

Yesterday, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's newsletter headline was Fair Maps Arrive in Wisconsin After Years of Partisan Gerrymandering. But the vote in the state Senate was party-line, all the Republicans but 5 extremists voting yes and all but one conservative Democrat voting no. The Republicans claim the maps were drawn by Gov. Evers’ office so… what’s not to like? 

Democracy Docket pointed to a poison pill. “A provision within the bill text states that the new maps would not take effect until November, meaning any special or recall elections before then would be held under the gerrymandered maps,” wrote Devon Hesano. “An effort to force a recall election of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) is currently underway. Just hours later, the bill cleared the Wisconsin Assembly in a 63-33 vote. Only one Democrat voted to advance the proposal.”

Democrats, who had already expressed skepticism of GOP efforts to adopt Evers’ maps, continued their doubts on Tuesday. Sen. Latonya Johnson (D) wrote on Twitter:“If you believe that WI Republicans are planning to run on Gov. Evers’ maps in November, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.” 

Senate Democratic leaders blasted the Republican-led process in a fiery joint press release, making clear that they “will not participate in Republicans’ shady political schemes to maintain their manufactured majority.” The senators questioned the implementation timing, asking “[i]f this was a genuine proposal by Republicans, why would they wait any longer to implement fair maps in Wisconsin?” The statement closed by claiming that Republicans’ “motives today, like their actions of the past decade, are ill-intentioned and self-serving. Wisconsinites deserve better.” 

In an email to Democracy Docket, Sen. Melissa Agard (D), who represents Madison, railed against the actions of the GOP-controlled Legislature, arguing that the bill included a “poison pill provision” and pointing out the lack of public hearing or input. Agard alleged that Republicans had backed themselves into a corner in a “desperate” “politically motivated scheme” that was a “result of the GOP governing with a focus on maintaining power rather than listening to the will of the people.”

In a phone call, Sen. Chris Larson (D), who represents Milwaukee, told Democracy Docket that “the idea that after 14 years of gerrymandering that [Republicans] are going to try now to embrace a Democratic governor’s maps and not try shenanigans seems pretty far-fetched.” Larson added that the implementation timing would “freeze” the unconstitutional maps in place for longer than they should be, and that he “can’t see” Evers signing the proposals if they make it to the governor’s desk.

Sen. Jeff Smith (D) also told Democracy Docket that “strangely, at this juncture, the Governor’s maps offer the best case scenario for Republicans to hold onto control of the Senate and Assembly.” Smith added that “it’s about the will of the people– these maps haven’t been vetted by the public. The public has the right to choose who represents them rather than setting themselves up for years of unfettered power and lack of accountability.”

With GOP legislators laying low and refusing to comment, Politico quoted a statement from Republican state Senate caucus Chair Van Wanggaard: “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.” And Vos said “It pains me to say it, but Gov. Evers gets a huge win today.”

Meanwhile, Democrats in the legislature smell a rat. From Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer’s written statement: “Legislative Republicans have shown time and time again that they cannot be trusted with legislative redistricting. We fear that Republicans are again up to their usual tricks.”