Politics
Wisconsin Gov. Evers promotes new legislative maps during brief visit to UW-La Crosse
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers told a UW-La Crosse audience that he made a promise to “do the right thing” by approving new legislative maps for the state.
Monday, the Democratic governor signed the maps his group drew, and Republicans, who control the Legislature, approved last week — after members of both parties voted for the plans.
“These aren’t Democratic maps,” the governor told an audience at the Cleary Alumni Center on Tuesday afternoon. “These maps will bring us the closest elections we ever have, and the most competitive races that we’ve ever had in the state of Wisconsin.”
Evers said the maps for La Crosse may “slightly” favor local Democratic lawmakers Steve Doyle and Jill Billings. He added that the Vernon County district, currently held by Republican Loren Oldenburg, could also lean Democratic.
Evers added that state elections may change a bit from the way they’ve gone in the last decade, with the maps allowing for more shifting of majorities between the two parties.
“Under these maps, the people will be able to elect Republican majorities, or Democrat majorities, or even split the legislature if they want,” he said. “But, the most important thing, is that Wisconsinites figure that out. They’re the ones that’ll decide that. That’s how elections should work.”
Evers said his narrow election wins in two races for governor show that Wisconsin is a purple state. He argued that recent large Republican majorities in the legislature under the previous maps are “not reflective” of the state’s population.
Wisconsin has voted for Democrats in 14 of the past 17 statewide elections.
This Week
February 20, 2024 at 11:20 pm
The purple haired girl in the front row…says it all. How obedient.
Roy
February 21, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Governor Evers is a politician-a Democrat politician.
He writes no legislation that does not benefit him or his party. La Crosse area Senate and Assembly new maps that Governor Evers says “slightly” favor Democrats Doyle and Billings means they both win.
The Vernon County seat now held by Republican Oldenburg, Evers says, could now flip to a Democrat.
But, fear not. The Governor says the new maps are “not Democratic maps.”
That’s why he’s traveling the state, selling his legislation like all politicians do when they pass something their party can run on.
Unfavorable
February 23, 2024 at 10:10 pm
He knows his audience. He got all the Karens at the word…”abortion.” How cynical.
Walden
February 24, 2024 at 8:14 pm
The Wall Street Journal refers to the new maps as “an audacious gerrymander that heavily favors the Democrats.” It’s too bad WIZM is so biased; a real disservice to the community.