The Future of Our Democracy Could Depend on Wisconsin
--
Wisconsin is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, and also a very important state because of our stupid, outdated electoral college. Next week, on April 4th, it will also conduct what could be THE most important election of 2023, to elect a state Supreme Court Justice to tip the balance of the court.
What hangs in the balance? The 2024 election. Reproductive rights. Sensible gun laws. Workers’ rights (Wisconsin is a “right to work” state.)
Abortion is going to be a big issue in this election, because after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year, an archaic 1849 law that would ban abortion except where the pregnant person’s life is in danger went into effect. Opponents are challenging the law in a case that will likely be decided by the state high court.
The choice in this election could not be more clear.
One candidate is aligned with policies that a majority of Americans and Wisconsinites support, while the other, Dan Kelly, is a right-wing extremist partisan hack and election denier who already has a record of doing the bidding of big donors.
From the Wisconsin Examiner:
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel previously reported that Kelly was paid nearly $120,000 by the state Republican Party and the Republican National Committee (RNC) for work on election-related issues, including advising state party leaders on their failed effort to cast false Electoral College votes for then-President Donald Trump. Those payments came as late as December 2022 and included $40,000 from the RNC after Kelly announced he was running for an open seat on the state Supreme Court.
Dan Kelly even brags about raking in cash from outside big-money groups: “Our campaign is really going to be a very small piece of total spend. Where you gonna get the other $20 million from? There are these organizations around the country, and they have specific concerns. And they will only support a candidate who has a proven record…
