Wisconsin Democrats Looking Outside of Madison To Change Fortunes

Democrats are looking outside of Madison to reverse their political fortunes in recall elections this summer and take control of the state Senate, according to the Capital Times.

The paper reports that Democratic leaders around the state are fueling the party's comeback attempt. The implications are serious: 

What is needed more than anything, say critics of Walker and his agenda, is to wrest the Senate from Republican control.

With so many seats up for grabs, the balance of power in the chamber could shift if Democrats gain a net of three seats. If Republicans lose control of the Senate, it would not only end the party’s hold on all three branches of state government, but it would give Democrats more seats on the powerful Joint Finance Committee, including a seat as co-chair.

That would put the brakes on what have been a flurry of conservative policies that have, for the most part, sailed through the legislative process since Republicans took control of the state Assembly, Senate and governor’s office in the November elections.

Given the potential fallout, it’s not surprising that Walker and his fellow Republicans have taken to downplaying the recall efforts.

“The upcoming recall elections are an inconvenience and a distraction to most Wisconsin voters,” says Cullen Werwie, a Walker spokesman, in an email. “The governor’s goal is to move forward to get Wisconsin working again.”

Read the full story here. 

Meanwhile, the We Are Wisconsin PAC said Thursday it would knock on its 100,000th door over the holiday weekend in support of Democratic recall candidates. 

“To hit a landmark like 100,000 doors in only six weeks is a reflection of the strong grassroots energy all over the state from people who want to take their government back and reverse an extreme agenda that attacks middle class values that define Wisconsin,” said Kristen Crowell, We Are Wisconsin’s Field Director.