JR Ross, Author at WisPolitics

Dem gubernatorial candidates talk pausing data centers, increasing minimum wage at forum

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026

State Rep. Francesa Hong called for a pause on new data centers in Wisconsin, while Dem gubernatorial rival and former DOA Secretary Joel Brennan said he believed one of just a few months was needed to implement important guardrails. Meanwhile, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes told an April 14 Wisconsin Citizen Action virtual forum he wanted more stringent regulations before any new data centers are built in Wisconsin.

Assembly, Senate keep open special session on gerrymandering; Evers urges action

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026

The Assembly and Senate left open a special session Dem Gov. Tony Evers called to ban partisan gerrymandering, saying they wanted to continue talks and gather public input.

Dem gubernatorial candidates talk pausing data centers, increasing minimum wage at forum

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026

Dem candidates for governor discussed data centers, the minimum wage and other issues during a Wisconsin Citizen Action virtual forum.

James drops challenge of Smith in key state Senate seat

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026

GOP state Sen. Jesse James today dropped plans to run against Dem Sen. Jeff Smith for a western Wisconsin seat, dealing another blow to Republicans’ hopes of holding onto their majority this fall.

This image shows Rep. Scott Allen seated in a hearing room at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Allen won’t seek reelection to the Assembly after losing Waukesha mayoral bid

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026

GOP state Rep. Scott Allen announced today he won’t seek reelection after losing a bid for Waukesha mayor last week.

This picture shows a statue of Col. Hans Christian Heg in front of the Wisconsin Capitol on a clear day.

Evers optimistic about deal on $2.5 billion surplus

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026

Gov. Tony Evers expressed confidence that a deal could be struck with GOP lawmakers to use at least some of the state’s projected $2.5 billion surplus, saying they were down to “basic things” to hash out.

Evers signs online gaming bill

Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

Gov. Tony Evers signed legislation opening the door to online gaming, though he vowed to only support a system that benefits all of the state’s tribes equally rather than allowing some to “reap great benefits while leaving only crumbs for others.”

Photo of Rep. Rob Books at a podium at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Brooks won’t seek reelection to the Assembly

Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

GOP Rep. Rob Brooks, who turns 61 in July, is the ninth member of the Assembly to announce plans to retire or seek higher office.

Photo of Rep. Jerry O'Connor hodling a Wisconsin Blue Book.

O’Connor won’t seek reelection

Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

State Rep. Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac, announced today he won’t seek reelection after two terms in the Assembly.

This image depicts Chris Taylor on a stage with supporters celebrating her victory in the state Supreme Court race.

Taylor wins Supreme Court race, expanding liberal majority to 5-2

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2026

Chris Taylor romped to victory in Wisconsin’s Supreme court race over underfunded conservative rival Maria Lazar, declaring in her victory speech that voters she met were “hungry for a government that works for them, for a judiciary that prioritizes them.”

This image shows Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman speaking at a podium at a WisPolitics-Milwaukee Press Club event.

Testin calls for rejecting Evers’ nominations to UW Board of Regents if they fire Rothman

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2026

A Senate GOP leader is calling for the Senate to reject every nomination to the UW Board of Regents if President Jay Rothman is removed “without just cause.”

Evers vetoes tax exemptions for tips, overtime, along with 21 other bills

Friday, Apr 3, 2026

Gov. Tony Evers today vetoed 23 bills, including GOP efforts to exempt cash tips and overtime from the state income tax and to overturn his veto that extended by four centuries the annual increases in how much school districts can spend per student.

Lazar, Taylor paint each other as extreme on abortion in only Supreme Court debate

Thursday, Apr 2, 2026

Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor jousted over abortion, recusals and reversals in their one and only debate ahead of next week’s election.

Lazar, Taylor to meet today in rescheduled debate

Thursday, Apr 2, 2026

The WISN-TV “UpFront” debate, produced in conjunction with WisPolitics, was originally scheduled for March 25. But it was postponed after Taylor was diagnosed with kidney stones.

Online gaming, NIL bills head to governor today

Thursday, Apr 2, 2026

Once the legislation lands on his desk, it will kick off a seven-day window for Evers to act on the bills.

Taylor and allies outspending Lazar and her backers 9-to-1 a week out from election

Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026

Liberal Supreme Court candidate Chris Taylor and her supporters have outspent conservative rival Maria Lazar and her backers by nearly 9-to-1, with a total of $8.9 million spent in the race so far.

Three-judge panel dismisses suit challenging Wisconsin congressional map as a partisan gerrymander

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026

A three-judge panel today ruled it lacks the authority to overturn a congressional map drawn by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2022 and dismissed a Dem lawsuit challenging the lines as a partisan gerrymander.

Taylor outraised Lazar 4-to-1 in pre-election period

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026

Liberal Supreme Court candidate Chris Taylor outraised conservative rival Maria Lazar more than 4-to-1 in the most recent reporting period, according to new filings. Taylor also outspent Lazar more than 6-to-1 between Feb. 3 and March 23

Side-by-side image of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor.

State Supreme Court debate rescheduled for April 2

Thursday, Mar 26, 2026

WISN-TV has rescheduled the Supreme Court debate for April 2 after Taylor pulled out of the March 25 scheduled event due to kidney stones. The “UpFront” debate, which is co-sponsored by WisPolitics, will now be at the WISN studio in

Taylor, allies outspending Lazar, her backers 15-to-1

Thursday, Mar 26, 2026

Chris Taylor and her allies have outspent conservative rival Maria Lazar and her allies 15-to-1 on ads and turnout efforts, with Taylor spending nearly $3.3 million on ads and her allies spending more than $5.6 million in total.

Dem gubernatorial candidates talk pausing data centers, increasing minimum wage at forum

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026

Assembly, Senate keep open special session on gerrymandering; Evers urges action

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026

The Assembly and Senate left open a special session Dem Gov. Tony Evers called to ban partisan gerrymandering, saying they wanted to continue talks and gather public input.

Dem gubernatorial candidates talk pausing data centers, increasing minimum wage at forum

Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026

Dem candidates for governor discussed data centers, the minimum wage and other issues during a Wisconsin Citizen Action virtual forum.

James drops challenge of Smith in key state Senate seat

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026

GOP state Sen. Jesse James today dropped plans to run against Dem Sen. Jeff Smith for a western Wisconsin seat, dealing another blow to Republicans’ hopes of holding onto their majority this fall.

Allen won’t seek reelection to the Assembly after losing Waukesha mayoral bid

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026

GOP state Rep. Scott Allen announced today he won’t seek reelection after losing a bid for Waukesha mayor last week.

Evers optimistic about deal on $2.5 billion surplus

Tuesday, Apr 14, 2026

Evers signs online gaming bill

Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

Brooks won’t seek reelection to the Assembly

Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

GOP Rep. Rob Brooks, who turns 61 in July, is the ninth member of the Assembly to announce plans to retire or seek higher office.

O’Connor won’t seek reelection

Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

State Rep. Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac, announced today he won’t seek reelection after two terms in the Assembly.

Taylor wins Supreme Court race, expanding liberal majority to 5-2

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2026

Testin calls for rejecting Evers’ nominations to UW Board of Regents if they fire Rothman

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2026

A Senate GOP leader is calling for the Senate to reject every nomination to the UW Board of Regents if President Jay Rothman is removed “without just cause.”

Evers vetoes tax exemptions for tips, overtime, along with 21 other bills

Friday, Apr 3, 2026

Lazar, Taylor paint each other as extreme on abortion in only Supreme Court debate

Thursday, Apr 2, 2026

Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor jousted over abortion, recusals and reversals in their one and only debate ahead of next week’s election.

Lazar, Taylor to meet today in rescheduled debate

Thursday, Apr 2, 2026

The WISN-TV “UpFront” debate, produced in conjunction with WisPolitics, was originally scheduled for March 25. But it was postponed after Taylor was diagnosed with kidney stones.

Online gaming, NIL bills head to governor today

Thursday, Apr 2, 2026

Once the legislation lands on his desk, it will kick off a seven-day window for Evers to act on the bills.

Taylor and allies outspending Lazar and her backers 9-to-1 a week out from election

Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026

Liberal Supreme Court candidate Chris Taylor and her supporters have outspent conservative rival Maria Lazar and her backers by nearly 9-to-1, with a total of $8.9 million spent in the race so far.

Three-judge panel dismisses suit challenging Wisconsin congressional map as a partisan gerrymander

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026

Taylor outraised Lazar 4-to-1 in pre-election period

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026

State Supreme Court debate rescheduled for April 2

Thursday, Mar 26, 2026

Taylor, allies outspending Lazar, her backers 15-to-1

Thursday, Mar 26, 2026