Top National Democrat Says Recent Elections Could Bring More Attention To Wisconsin

One of the country’s top Democrats said Wednesday that Wisconsin congressional races could see more national attention and out-of-state spending in the wake of a Democratic victory in the state Supreme Court race this week.

During a visit to Madison with Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said the state Supreme Court race confirmed that Democrats have a good shot at flipping seats from Republican control in November.

“I think this Supreme Court vote was a confirmation of what we’ve seen — we saw it in your Wisconsin special election in your senate race,” Hoyer said.

Tuesday’s court race winner, Milwaukee County Judge Rebecca Dallet, who was backed by Democrats, took counties that are currently represented by Republicans in Congress.

Hoyer also cited recent wins across the country for Democrats, including elections in Alabama and Kentucky.

“I think we’re getting a large number of independents and, frankly, I think Republicans who are thinking to themselves, we want to send a message that we want a little more stability, a little more responsibility,” Hoyer said. “There is a sense of wanting to stabilize, and to have a check and balance, and not to have a radical government, but to have a rational government.”

Hoyer said national Democrats will continue to keep an eye on districts that may help the party gain control of the House this fall.

“We’re certainly going to be looking at Wisconsin,” he said.