Wisconsin and Georgia Hold Key Elections
Voters in Wisconsin and northwest Georgia cast their ballots on Tuesday in two high-stakes races that may provide insight into the political landscape ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
In Wisconsin, liberals are aiming to extend their influence on the state Supreme Court and maintain a recent trend of electoral victories. Simultaneously, the runoff elections in Georgia’s conservative 14th Congressional District are expected to see Republicans retaining the seat previously held by Marjorie Taylor Greene, while Democrats are pushing to secure a competitive showing.
The Wisconsin contest features Democrat Chris Taylor against Republican Maria Lazar for the position vacated by retired conservative judge Rebecca Bradley. Unlike last year’s State Supreme Court race—which garnered significant national attention and set a record for campaign spending—this event has not received as much media focus. In that previous election, tech billionaire Elon Musk contributed millions, influencing the outcome.
Throughout the campaign, Taylor has maintained a substantial advantage in fundraising and advertising over Lazar. A recent Marquette University Law School poll indicated that Taylor was leading among likely voters, though many supporters remained undecided. Nonetheless, Democratic leaders expressed optimism owing to favorable early voting data and the party’s past success in Supreme Court elections, having won the previous three by substantial margins.
A victory for Taylor, an appellate court judge and former Democratic state lawmaker, would strengthen the liberal majority to 5-2 on what is technically a bipartisan court, effectively sidelining conservatives for years. His campaign has focused on reproductive rights and addressing economic issues such as rising costs and cuts to food assistance programs.
Lazar, an appellate court judge with experience in former Republican Governor Scott Walker’s administration, has concentrated on defending his anti-abortion stance and highlighting contrasts between his judicial career and that of Taylor, his Democratic opponent. Meanwhile, Democrats are seeking to harness ongoing opposition to former President Donald Trump as they navigate a non-presidential election cycle. Despite Democrats winning 18 of the last 23 statewide elections in Wisconsin, Trump managed to secure narrow victories in both 2016 and 2020.
Polling from Marquette University reveals that 56% of registered voters in Wisconsin disapprove of President Trump’s performance, marking the highest level of disapproval recorded during his two terms. In an effort to galvanize voter turnout, Democrats welcomed former Attorney General Eric Holder to campaign for Taylor. Former President Barack Obama has also endorsed him, further energizing the Democratic base.
Georgia’s 14th Congressional District at Stake
In Georgia, Republican prosecutor Clay Fuller and Democrat Sean Harris advanced to a special runoff for the deep-red district previously represented by Greene after no candidate secured a majority in the initial all-party primary.
While Harris garnered slightly more votes in the first round, the Republican votes were fragmented among 17 candidates. These Republican contenders collectively received about 60% of the votes in the March election, positioning Fuller as the favored candidate heading into Tuesday’s runoff, especially with Trump enjoying a 37-point lead in the district.
Harris, a retired Army brigadier general and rancher, has raised $6.4 million this election cycle, campaigning against “tone-deaf politicians” who are disconnected from the struggles of everyday Georgians. In contrast, Fuller has branded himself as the candidate of choice for staunch Trump supporters, emphasizing his connection with the former president through joint appearances in the district.
Greene, initially one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, resigned in January following tensions between them over Epstein-related investigations. The winner of Tuesday’s runoff will complete Greene’s term, which extends until January 2027, with both Harris and Fuller also preparing to run in the regular primaries and general elections scheduled for May and November.
Voting in Georgia will conclude at 7 PM ET.
