The Wisconsin primary elections took an unexpected turn as voters turned out in record numbers, including in Democratic strongholds, to defeat constitutional amendments proposed by Republicans. These amendments aimed to curb Governor Tony Evers’ spending authority on federal funds but were overwhelmingly rejected by voters across the state. Democrats and their allies outspent conservative organizations in the campaign against the amendments, highlighting the high motivation and engagement on the left side of the political spectrum.
The high voter turnout in the Wisconsin primary could signal trouble for former President Trump’s chances in the upcoming election, showing that Democrats are already highly motivated. Despite efforts to galvanize Republican support for the constitutional amendments, they failed by 15 percentage points statewide. Libertarian voter Roy Martin explained his “no” vote by expressing his lack of trust in the gerrymandered legislature, whereas he believed the governor represented the people’s voice through the popular vote.
In Republican strongholds in Wisconsin, total turnout was slightly up compared to previous years, but the performance on the constitutional amendments was poor in counties like Waukesha. However, election analysts cautioned against reading too much into primary results as turnout is expected to be significantly higher in the general election. In traditionally Democratic areas like Dane County, turnout was at a 40-year high for a primary, driven by local elections and an intense ground-game against the amendments.
The defeat of the amendments was particularly pronounced in liberal counties like Dane, where turnout was high and voters overwhelmingly rejected the measures. In Milwaukee County, which has a large Democratic population, turnout was lower, indicating some variation in voter engagement across the state. The focus on checks and balances in the campaign against the amendments may have played a role in shaping voter perceptions, with Democrats emphasizing the issue more strongly.
In other races on the primary ballot, Trump-endorsed candidates had mixed results. While a businessman endorsed by Trump won the Republican primary in the Eighth Congressional District, the Democratic establishment favorite in the Third Congressional District was defeated by a political strategist. The latter candidate’s progressive agenda and financial controversies will likely play a role in the upcoming general election against the Trump-endorsed incumbent in the vulnerable district.
In state legislative races, Trump-endorsed candidates who supported overturning the 2020 presidential election results in Wisconsin lost their Republican primaries in red-leaning districts. These losses occurred in newly redistricted maps that favor Democrats, signaling potential shifts in the political landscape of the state. The primary results overall reflect a high level of voter engagement and indicate potential challenges for Republicans, particularly in swing districts, in the upcoming election.
