WisPolitics Capitol Chats

On this week's "Capitol Chats," Republican strategist Bill McCoshen and Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki break down the state and national factors that handed Wisconsin Democrats their first trifecta in 16 years (and two more U.S. House seats), discuss what Democrats will choose to do with that newfound power, and predict Republican soul-searching after Tuesday's blowout.

This week's "Capitol Chats" features an excerpt from WisPolitics-State Affairs' Oct. 15 polling summit. Hear from Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin and pollsters Amanda Iovino and Jesse Kline about Iovino and Kline's survey of voters ahead of next week's election, including how voters feel about the political parties, the president, and Wisconsin's gubernatorial candidates. You can watch the full polling summit here and read WisPolitics' coverage of the summit here.  

On this week's "Capitol Chats," voting patterns expert John Johnson discusses the first day of early, in-person voting data from across Wisconsin as well as mail-in absentee ballot counts from preceding weeks, and breaks down what it could mean for the November election. Johnson is a research fellow at Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education.

On this week's episode of "Capitol Chats", Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa, talks about her campaign to succeeed retiring state Sen. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, a potential BadgerCare public option, funding public schools and addressing affordability concerns.

On this week's "Capitol Chats," U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, town of Vermont Democrat and regional vice chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, discusses the state of play in the state's congressional races, Republicans' cash advantage in Wisconsin elections, how some national Democrats are talking about transgender issues, and more. 

On this week's "Capitol Chats", emergency room nurse and 1st CD Democratic candidate Mitchell Berman discusses running against a longtime incumbent, his support for unions and how he plans to create an economy that "works for everyone." Berman is set to face U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville, in November.

On this week's "Capitol Chats," Sen. Howard Marklein discusses constituent and lawmaker pushback against two proposed transmission lines that would cross his district, his thoughts on school funding issues, and what he thinks should happen with the state's budget surplus.

On this week's "Capitol Chats", Dan Lennington of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty discusses the three constitutional amendments on the November ballot.  WILL is backing all three amendments, which would outlaw "preferential treatment" based on race within governmental entities; limit the governor's partial veto power; and prohibit the government from regulating worship gatherings during public health emergencies. 

On this week's "Capitol Chats", Debra Cronmiller, executive director of the League of Women Voters Wisconsin, discusses three constitutional amendments on the November ballot. The League is urging voters to vote 'no' on an amendment that would outlaw "preferential treatment" based on race within governmental entities. The two other amendments limit the governor's partial veto power and disallow the government to prohibit worship gatherings during public health emergencies.  

On this week's "Capitol Chats," Milwaukee Police Association Vice President Joel Moeller discusses Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson's proclamation setting new limits on Flock camera usage by city police and how state lawmakers should respond to public backlash against the automated license plate readers.