Thread: Let’s talk about elections, and an opportunity @WisDems have to FLIP another seat blue in just three months here in #Wisconsin: State Senate District 13. #wipolitics

In a classic example of “failing upward”, State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald won an election to go to Congress. Fitzgerald, as most folks know, was one of the chief architects of the hyper-partisan gerrymandering & “divide and conquer” politics we’ve seen over the past decade.

Some fun facts about “Fitz”: He was first elected to the State Senate by running in a primary in 1994 against fellow Republican and long-time incumbent Barbara Lorman. Sen. Lorman was well thought of by many residents. There was even a “Democrats for Lorman” group at the time.

Fitz ran as a big “pro-life” candidate. While he’s been happy to accept checks from “pro-life” groups for many years, I don’t think anyone pictures him when they think about what being “pro-life” actually means. Fitzgerald ended up winning the primary and then the general.

So how did Fitz fail upward? When maps were redrawn after the 2010 census, Fitz put his residence in Juneau in the middle of the 5th CD. He also made sure to remove Fort Atkinson from his State Senate district, where multiple potential challengers to his seat resided.

So now Fitzgerald gets to go play minority party rabble rouser in Congress, replacing longtime career incumbent Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, and probably get as little done for our state as Sensenbrenner did in 40+ years.

I will say this about Sensenbrenner: He at least would be present in his district. He held regular listening sessions, visited local businesses, and responded to constituent emails. We won’t hold our breath for Fitzgerald to bother with any of that.

Three Republicans, as well as two independents, have filed to run in the State Senate race. Current State Rep. John Jagler is probably the odds on favorite to win the GOP nomination. His party wants their cozy career pipeline (pictured) to continue.

On the Democratic side, we have only had one person to step up to the plate. Her name is Melissa Winker, and she is a champion for entering this race. She’s a teacher, a mom of five kids, and her husband is a firefighter. https://www.winkerforwisconsin.com/ 

Is the district tough? Yes, you bet. But this is a special election, happening in the spring. Turnout in this election will be very different than what it was in November. No more #Trump driving high voter turnout, either.

Melissa collected 1200 (!) signatures in just eight days. She is a tireless fighter & campaigner. She is someone who will advocate for the residents in her district, not someone who will go be a rank & file checkbox. https://www.facebook.com/winkerforWI/posts/1018924621925770

I just donated to Melissa. If you will join me in supporting her, in any way possible, we can make big changes happen on April 6th. Momentum is on her side. Remember, many people thought Georgia wasn’t flippable, either. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/winker4wi