JR Ross
@jrrosswrites.bsky.social
Dad, husband, coach, IU grad, mediocre golfer, covering Wisconsin politics since 2000. Editor, http://WisPolitics.com.
A new federal filing shows an Elon Musk PAC spent $27 million on “petition incentives” during the first half of '25 as he offered Wisconsin voters $100 if they registered their opposition to “judicial activists” during the SCOWIS race.
See more:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/elections...
See more:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/elections...
Filing: Musk’s America PAC spent $27 million on ‘petition incentives’
Elon Musk’s America PAC, which offered Wisconsin voters $100 if they registered their opposition to “judicial activists” through a website, spent more than $27 million on “petition incentives” during ...
pro.stateaffairs.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A new federal filing shows an Elon Musk PAC spent $27 million on “petition incentives” during the first half of '25 as he offered Wisconsin voters $100 if they registered their opposition to “judicial activists” during the SCOWIS race.
See more:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/elections...
See more:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/elections...
News: A source close to @GovEvers said no final decision has been made on seeking a 3rd, his team hasn't called potential Dem contenders to tell them he's out, and there will be no announcement in the next 24-36 hours.
See more in today's PM Update:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/pm-update...
See more in today's PM Update:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/pm-update...
THU PM Update: Dem source: Evers hasn’t made decision yet on reelection
From WisPolitics … — A source close to Tony Evers today told WisPolitics the governor hasn’t yet made a final decision on seeking a third term, pushing back on reports that a retirement an...
pro.stateaffairs.com
July 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
News: A source close to @GovEvers said no final decision has been made on seeking a 3rd, his team hasn't called potential Dem contenders to tell them he's out, and there will be no announcement in the next 24-36 hours.
See more in today's PM Update:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/pm-update...
See more in today's PM Update:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/pm-update...
Quick story on the breakdown in budget talks between GOP leaders, @GovEvers:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/budget/bu...
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/budget/bu...
Budget talks between Evers, GOP leaders break down
GOP legislative leaders late today declared budget negotiations with Dem Gov. Tony Evers had reached an impasse and said they will now turn to the Joint Finance Committee to build their proposal.
pro.stateaffairs.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Quick story on the breakdown in budget talks between GOP leaders, @GovEvers:
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/budget/bu...
pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/budget/bu...
Jim Davel, the county administrator, told @wispolitics in a phone interview he has “no idea what the heck this is about whatsoever.” www.wispolitics.com/2025/trump-a...
Trump administration labels Wisconsin's deep-red Shawano County ‘sanctuary’ community refusing to cooperate on immigration
Jim Davel, the county administrator, told WisPolitics in a phone interview he has “no idea what the heck this is about whatsoever.”
www.wispolitics.com
May 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Jim Davel, the county administrator, told @wispolitics in a phone interview he has “no idea what the heck this is about whatsoever.” www.wispolitics.com/2025/trump-a...
It would be their third day of meetings after they first got together March 26. Vos, R-Rochester, also confirmed legislative leaders met with Evers last week. www.wispolitics.com/2025/vos-law...
Vos: Lawmakers working to schedule another budget meeting with Evers
It would be their third day of meetings after they first got together March 26. Vos, R-Rochester, also confirmed legislative leaders met with Evers last week.
www.wispolitics.com
May 28, 2025 at 2:32 PM
It would be their third day of meetings after they first got together March 26. Vos, R-Rochester, also confirmed legislative leaders met with Evers last week. www.wispolitics.com/2025/vos-law...
Bjt nugget: Dem Gov. Tony Evers met twice with GOP legislative leaders this week as budget talks have ramped up, according to multiple sources. www.wispolitics.com/2025/evers-g...
Evers, GOP leaders met twice on budget
Dem Gov. Tony Evers met twice with GOP legislative leaders this week as budget talks have ramped up, according to multiple sources.
www.wispolitics.com
May 23, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Bjt nugget: Dem Gov. Tony Evers met twice with GOP legislative leaders this week as budget talks have ramped up, according to multiple sources. www.wispolitics.com/2025/evers-g...
Taylor said Justice Rebecca Bradley, who said she plans to run next year, "has prioritized a right-wing agenda over keeping the judiciary fair and independent, in my opinion, and she is just not the justice that Wisconsinites deserve and need on the Supreme Court.”
'26 SCOWIS news: Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Dem lawmaker, today formally launched her bid for state Supreme Court next year, when liberals will look to expand their 4-3 majority.
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-am-...
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-am-...
TUE AM Update: Taylor launches state Supreme Court bid
Subscribers: Please give us your feedback and get free entry into a WisPolitics event. Take the short survey here. From WisPolitics ... -- Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Dem lawmaker, is ...
www.wispolitics.com
May 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Taylor said Justice Rebecca Bradley, who said she plans to run next year, "has prioritized a right-wing agenda over keeping the judiciary fair and independent, in my opinion, and she is just not the justice that Wisconsinites deserve and need on the Supreme Court.”
'26 SCOWIS news: Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Dem lawmaker, today formally launched her bid for state Supreme Court next year, when liberals will look to expand their 4-3 majority.
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-am-...
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-am-...
TUE AM Update: Taylor launches state Supreme Court bid
Subscribers: Please give us your feedback and get free entry into a WisPolitics event. Take the short survey here. From WisPolitics ... -- Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Dem lawmaker, is ...
www.wispolitics.com
May 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'26 SCOWIS news: Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Dem lawmaker, today formally launched her bid for state Supreme Court next year, when liberals will look to expand their 4-3 majority.
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-am-...
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-am-...
Hannah Dugan’s supporters have created a legal defense fund to fight what the group calls an “unprecedented attack on the independent judiciary by the federal government" as she faces charges of interfering with immigration officers.
See the release:
wispolitics.com/2025/hannah-...
See the release:
wispolitics.com/2025/hannah-...
Hannah Dugan Legal Defense Fund: Defense fund launched
Defending Against the Unprecedented Attack on Independent Judiciary Will Require Significant Resources The Hannah Dugan Legal Defense Fund has been established to defend against the unprecedented atta...
wispolitics.com
May 16, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Hannah Dugan’s supporters have created a legal defense fund to fight what the group calls an “unprecedented attack on the independent judiciary by the federal government" as she faces charges of interfering with immigration officers.
See the release:
wispolitics.com/2025/hannah-...
See the release:
wispolitics.com/2025/hannah-...
Bjt NEWS: LFB today projected the state will finish the '23-25 budget with a more than $4.3 billion surplus -- a slight improvement over its January estimate -- but also now expects lower tax collections over the following two-year period.
May 15, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Bjt NEWS: LFB today projected the state will finish the '23-25 budget with a more than $4.3 billion surplus -- a slight improvement over its January estimate -- but also now expects lower tax collections over the following two-year period.
Challenge with claim '11 House map was a partisan gerrymander is there's evidence undercutting that assertion. The former Paul Ryan aide who took the lead on drawing those lines said in a deposition his boss told him "we need to be fair and we need to try and be bipartisan."
There are 2 suits before the court seeking to overturn the maps on 3 issues:
*least-change standard now out
*districts malapportioned
*'11 process to draw map that's foundation for new lines "quintessential partisan gerrymander."
www.wispolitics.com/2025/dem-vot...
*least-change standard now out
*districts malapportioned
*'11 process to draw map that's foundation for new lines "quintessential partisan gerrymander."
www.wispolitics.com/2025/dem-vot...
Dem voters asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn congressional maps
Dem voters in two separate suits have asked the state Supreme Court to overturn Wisconsin’s congressional map and put new lines in place for the 2026 election.
www.wispolitics.com
May 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Challenge with claim '11 House map was a partisan gerrymander is there's evidence undercutting that assertion. The former Paul Ryan aide who took the lead on drawing those lines said in a deposition his boss told him "we need to be fair and we need to try and be bipartisan."
There are 2 suits before the court seeking to overturn the maps on 3 issues:
*least-change standard now out
*districts malapportioned
*'11 process to draw map that's foundation for new lines "quintessential partisan gerrymander."
www.wispolitics.com/2025/dem-vot...
*least-change standard now out
*districts malapportioned
*'11 process to draw map that's foundation for new lines "quintessential partisan gerrymander."
www.wispolitics.com/2025/dem-vot...
Dem voters asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn congressional maps
Dem voters in two separate suits have asked the state Supreme Court to overturn Wisconsin’s congressional map and put new lines in place for the 2026 election.
www.wispolitics.com
May 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
There are 2 suits before the court seeking to overturn the maps on 3 issues:
*least-change standard now out
*districts malapportioned
*'11 process to draw map that's foundation for new lines "quintessential partisan gerrymander."
www.wispolitics.com/2025/dem-vot...
*least-change standard now out
*districts malapportioned
*'11 process to draw map that's foundation for new lines "quintessential partisan gerrymander."
www.wispolitics.com/2025/dem-vot...
The guv's office said staff for Evers, Vos, LeMahieu met yesterday to continue talks. LeMahieu says he's wants an in-person meeting with Evers by end of next week to keep budget deliberations on schedule.
www.wispolitics.com/2025/evers-a...
www.wispolitics.com/2025/evers-a...
Evers again insists any tax cut deal be part of budget, wants education funded ‘at every level’
Gov. Tony Evers isn’t backing off his demand that any tax plan he’d sign be included in the state budget, and he wants Republicans to fund education “at every level” to move forward on budget negotiat...
www.wispolitics.com
May 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The guv's office said staff for Evers, Vos, LeMahieu met yesterday to continue talks. LeMahieu says he's wants an in-person meeting with Evers by end of next week to keep budget deliberations on schedule.
www.wispolitics.com/2025/evers-a...
www.wispolitics.com/2025/evers-a...
Clark County Judge Lyndsey Boon Brunette is passing on a run for state Supreme Court next year, telling WisPolitics in a statement that 2026 “is not the best time to pursue a seat on the state’s highest court.” www.wispolitics.com/2025/clark-c...
Clark County judge tells WisPolitics she’s passing on Supreme Court bid in ‘26
Clark County Judge Lyndsey Boon Brunette is passing on a run for state Supreme Court next year, telling WisPolitics in a statement that 2026 “is not the best time to pursue a seat on the state’s highe...
www.wispolitics.com
May 2, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Clark County Judge Lyndsey Boon Brunette is passing on a run for state Supreme Court next year, telling WisPolitics in a statement that 2026 “is not the best time to pursue a seat on the state’s highest court.” www.wispolitics.com/2025/clark-c...
'26 guv race nugget: Washington Co Exec Josh Schoemann, who's been considering a run, has a “historic summer kickoff cookout” on Sunday. Spokesperson says he'll talk w/ his friends & neighbors about future of Wisconsin.
See more in yesterday's PM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-pm-...
See more in yesterday's PM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-pm-...
TUE PM Update: Madison investigation found clerk broke city policies, but not the law in missing 193 absentee ballots
From WisPolitics ... -- The former Madison clerk failed to perform her work duties when local officials missed 193 absentee ballots from the November election and her office didn’t report the issue to...
www.wispolitics.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:29 PM
'26 guv race nugget: Washington Co Exec Josh Schoemann, who's been considering a run, has a “historic summer kickoff cookout” on Sunday. Spokesperson says he'll talk w/ his friends & neighbors about future of Wisconsin.
See more in yesterday's PM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-pm-...
See more in yesterday's PM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-pm-...
Party news: @sarahgodlewski.bsky.social is running for @wisdems.org 1st vice-chair, telling WisPolitics democracy at stake w/ Trump’s return to power.
Campaign says post wouldn't interfere w/ her plans 2 run for re-election as SOS.
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/wed-am-...
Campaign says post wouldn't interfere w/ her plans 2 run for re-election as SOS.
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/wed-am-...
WED AM Update: Godlewski announces bid for WisDems 1st vice chair
From WisPolitics ... -- Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski announced today she is running for first vice-chair of the state Dem Party, saying in a statement to WisPolitics that democracy is at stake w...
www.wispolitics.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Party news: @sarahgodlewski.bsky.social is running for @wisdems.org 1st vice-chair, telling WisPolitics democracy at stake w/ Trump’s return to power.
Campaign says post wouldn't interfere w/ her plans 2 run for re-election as SOS.
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/wed-am-...
Campaign says post wouldn't interfere w/ her plans 2 run for re-election as SOS.
See more in today's AM Update:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/wed-am-...
The bill still faces hurdles in the Assembly, where Speaker Vos said his position has been clear.
“I've never supported an expansion of welfare. I can't imagine that I would ever support one, but we have to talk about it as a caucus.”
www.wispolitics.com/2025/senate-...
“I've never supported an expansion of welfare. I can't imagine that I would ever support one, but we have to talk about it as a caucus.”
www.wispolitics.com/2025/senate-...
Senate approves extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months for new mothers
The state Senate overwhelmingly approved the legislation. But like last session, it continues to face opposition from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
www.wispolitics.com
April 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The bill still faces hurdles in the Assembly, where Speaker Vos said his position has been clear.
“I've never supported an expansion of welfare. I can't imagine that I would ever support one, but we have to talk about it as a caucus.”
www.wispolitics.com/2025/senate-...
“I've never supported an expansion of welfare. I can't imagine that I would ever support one, but we have to talk about it as a caucus.”
www.wispolitics.com/2025/senate-...
Quick story on today's ruling. Will be updated.
A split state Supreme Court today upheld Dem Gov. Tony Evers’ veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per student. www.wispolitics.com/2025/supreme...
A split state Supreme Court today upheld Dem Gov. Tony Evers’ veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per student. www.wispolitics.com/2025/supreme...
Supreme Court upholds Evers’ 400-year education veto
A split state Supreme Court today upheld Dem Gov. Tony Evers’ veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per studen...
www.wispolitics.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Quick story on today's ruling. Will be updated.
A split state Supreme Court today upheld Dem Gov. Tony Evers’ veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per student. www.wispolitics.com/2025/supreme...
A split state Supreme Court today upheld Dem Gov. Tony Evers’ veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per student. www.wispolitics.com/2025/supreme...
BREAKING: Split Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds Dem Gov. Tony Ever’s veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per student.
April 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
BREAKING: Split Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds Dem Gov. Tony Ever’s veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per student.
GOP legislative leaders, who have pledged to pass a tax cut before taking up the budget, have held off introducing a plan after talks with Gov. Tony Evers on a possible compromise, according to multiple GOP sources. www.wispolitics.com/2025/gop-lea...
GOP leaders holding off on tax cut plan following talks with Evers
GOP legislative leaders, who have pledged to pass a tax cut before taking up the budget, have held off introducing a plan after talks with Gov. Tony Evers on a possible compromise, according to multip...
www.wispolitics.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
GOP legislative leaders, who have pledged to pass a tax cut before taking up the budget, have held off introducing a plan after talks with Gov. Tony Evers on a possible compromise, according to multiple GOP sources. www.wispolitics.com/2025/gop-lea...
The state GOP announced to members that it’s launching a postmortem on the 2025 state Supreme Court race that conservative Brad Schimel lost by 10 points as the party prepares for next year’s contest. www.wispolitics.com/2025/state-g...
State GOP launches review of ‘25 Supreme Court race ahead of ‘26 contest
The state GOP announced to members that it’s launching a postmortem on the 2025 state Supreme Court race that conservative Brad Schimel lost by 10 points as the party prepares for next year’s contest.
www.wispolitics.com
April 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The state GOP announced to members that it’s launching a postmortem on the 2025 state Supreme Court race that conservative Brad Schimel lost by 10 points as the party prepares for next year’s contest. www.wispolitics.com/2025/state-g...
SCOWIS '26 nuggets:
Pedro Colon won't run, citing personal reasons.
Fellow liberal appeals court Judge Chris Taylor has been "heartened" by encouragement, will have more to say bid coming weeks.
See more in yesterday's @wispolitics subscriber products:
www.wispolitics.com/category/sub...
Pedro Colon won't run, citing personal reasons.
Fellow liberal appeals court Judge Chris Taylor has been "heartened" by encouragement, will have more to say bid coming weeks.
See more in yesterday's @wispolitics subscriber products:
www.wispolitics.com/category/sub...
Subscribers Only Archives
www.wispolitics.com
April 15, 2025 at 2:44 PM
SCOWIS '26 nuggets:
Pedro Colon won't run, citing personal reasons.
Fellow liberal appeals court Judge Chris Taylor has been "heartened" by encouragement, will have more to say bid coming weeks.
See more in yesterday's @wispolitics subscriber products:
www.wispolitics.com/category/sub...
Pedro Colon won't run, citing personal reasons.
Fellow liberal appeals court Judge Chris Taylor has been "heartened" by encouragement, will have more to say bid coming weeks.
See more in yesterday's @wispolitics subscriber products:
www.wispolitics.com/category/sub...
Nugget: Bill Berrien, who's been considering run for guv in '26, today announced the Never Out of the Fight PAC to advance conservative policies, help GOP candidates win.
Others have launched similar groups ahead of running themselves.
See the release:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/never-o...
Others have launched similar groups ahead of running themselves.
See the release:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/never-o...
Never Out of the Fight PAC: Announcement
www.wispolitics.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Nugget: Bill Berrien, who's been considering run for guv in '26, today announced the Never Out of the Fight PAC to advance conservative policies, help GOP candidates win.
Others have launched similar groups ahead of running themselves.
See the release:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/never-o...
Others have launched similar groups ahead of running themselves.
See the release:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/never-o...
Already, Devin Remiker has announced he'll run for @wisdems.bsky.social chair this summer:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/remiker...
And Zepecki says he'll spend the next week talking with others about a possible bid:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/zepecki...
See more in today's PM Update.
www.wispolitics.com/2025/remiker...
And Zepecki says he'll spend the next week talking with others about a possible bid:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/zepecki...
See more in today's PM Update.
April 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Already, Devin Remiker has announced he'll run for @wisdems.bsky.social chair this summer:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/remiker...
And Zepecki says he'll spend the next week talking with others about a possible bid:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/zepecki...
See more in today's PM Update.
www.wispolitics.com/2025/remiker...
And Zepecki says he'll spend the next week talking with others about a possible bid:
www.wispolitics.com/2025/zepecki...
See more in today's PM Update.
Quick story on @benwikler.bsky.social's decision.
We reported in January Dem operative Joe Zepecki, 3rd CD Chair William Garcia had been making calls about a bid in case Wikler didn't run. Sen. Kelda Roys also said at time she'd been encouraged to consider.
www.wispolitics.com/2025/wikler-...
We reported in January Dem operative Joe Zepecki, 3rd CD Chair William Garcia had been making calls about a bid in case Wikler didn't run. Sen. Kelda Roys also said at time she'd been encouraged to consider.
www.wispolitics.com/2025/wikler-...
Wikler not seeking reelection as state Dem chair
Ben Wikler, who shepherded the state Dem Party through an unprecedented run of financial success, announced today he won’t seek another two-year term as chair this summer.
www.wispolitics.com
April 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Quick story on @benwikler.bsky.social's decision.
We reported in January Dem operative Joe Zepecki, 3rd CD Chair William Garcia had been making calls about a bid in case Wikler didn't run. Sen. Kelda Roys also said at time she'd been encouraged to consider.
www.wispolitics.com/2025/wikler-...
We reported in January Dem operative Joe Zepecki, 3rd CD Chair William Garcia had been making calls about a bid in case Wikler didn't run. Sen. Kelda Roys also said at time she'd been encouraged to consider.
www.wispolitics.com/2025/wikler-...