In Wisconsin, Republicans are aiming to solidify their legislative control with a supermajority in both the Senate and Assembly.
Currently, Republicans hold 22 of 33 Senate seats and 64 of 99 Assembly seats. A supermajority would enable them to override Governor Tony Evers’ vetoes without needing Democratic support. However, achieving this is challenging, as they would need to gain more seats in both chambers.
Jerald Podair, a Lawrence University professor, notes that while Republicans are close, he doesn’t foresee a full supermajority. Democrats would need to secure an ambitious 14-seat gain in the Assembly to loosen Republican dominance, which Podair considers unlikely given current political dynamics.
New district maps, mandated by the Wisconsin Supreme Court for fairer representation, are being used for the first time in this election. Although Podair believes the maps offer a more accurate reflection of Wisconsin’s political landscape, they still allow Republicans a slight edge.
Podair predicts Republicans will retain control, though with narrower margins—likely an 18-15 split in the Senate and 56-43 in the Assembly.
He attributes Democrats’ recent gains to increased fundraising and enthusiasm but suggests that Republicans remain positioned for a majority, just without the veto-proof cushion they sought.