Wisconsin Republicans can no longer hide behind illegal congressional maps to cling to illegitimate power and thwart the will of We the People
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/02/19/gov-tony-evers-signs-new-election-maps-ending-wiscoonsin-gerrymander/72602408007/MADISON – Wisconsin Republicans lost their more than decade-long grip on control of the state Legislature Monday after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed into law new electoral maps that reshape down-ballot races in this battleground state.
Evers signed a bill put forward by GOP lawmakers last week implementing new legislative maps the Democratic governor drew himself that dramatically weaken the advantages Republicans have enjoyed each election cycle since 2011.
"It is a new day in Wisconsin, and today is a beautiful day for democracy," Evers said at a press conference in the state Capitol. "Of the 1,869 days I’ve been proud to serve as your governor, few have been as consequential as this one."
The new map gives Democrats a chance to compete with Republicans for control of the Legislature for the first time in more than a decade. Even so, the vast majority of Democratic lawmakers voted against the plan, arguing the state Supeme Court should pick new boundaries instead.
State Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, voted against the maps but stood behind Evers on Monday to celebrate signing them into law. He was one of just four Democratic lawmakers to join Evers at the bill signing ceremony.
"My vote was never about the map itself. It was about the process. It was about making sure we looked at all the legal angles to make sure there wasn't a Republican trick here to avoid fair maps. And I trust the Gov. Evers has done that," Spreitzer said Monday.
