Wisconsin political shifts, Polarizing non-partisan races

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Four voters lean over as they fill out their ballots behind dividers that say "VOTE" with the U.S. Flag.
Voters fill out ballots Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Majestic Theatre in Madison, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

We talk to a political scientist about the new liberal majority for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Republican supermajority in the state legislature. Then, a former state lawmaker and professor helps us better understand why non-partisan races in Wisconsin have been feeling more partisan lately.

Featured in this Show

  • The shifting balance of political power in Wisconsin

    Following the spring elections, Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court will have a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years, while the state Senate will maintain a two-thirds majority. We talk to a political scientist about the shifting balance of political power in Wisconsin.

  • Why Wisconsin's nonpartisan races feel more and more partisan

    Campaigns for State Supreme Court, school board, mayor, and more are nonpartisan, meaning that candidates don’t run with a party label. But political parties are heavily involved, and these elections can feel like partisan races even without the labels on the ballot. A Wisconsin politics expert tells us how things have changed over time–and why it matters.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Sarah Hopefl Technical Director
  • Lee Rayburn Producer
  • Rob Ferrett Producer
  • Anthony Chergosky Guest
  • Mordecai Lee Guest