Interviews Archives

Visit WisPolitics-State Affairs for premium content,
keyword notifications, bill tracking and more

Legislative remap debated at WisPolitics luncheon

Thursday, Nov 30, 2023

Conservative law firm Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty President Rick Esenberg warned the accelerated actions he expects of the new liberal Supreme Court on redistricting could complicate a tight timeline for new legislative maps. Esenberg made the comments at a WisPolitics luncheon Thursday Jeff Mandell, president of the liberal law firm Law Forward who’s involved in the lawsuit asking justices to overturn the current GOP-drawn maps.

Story/video: Panelists predict several GOP contenders will drop out before next presidential debate

Friday, Aug 25, 2023

Politicos at a Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership event in Milwaukee, hosted in part by WisPolitics, said the debate was a chance for candidates to differentiate themselves from former President Trump. But former Gov. Tommy Thompson said some candidates didn’t seize the chance to win over GOP primary voters.

Walker urges Trump to attend Milwaukee debate, calls for better GOP outreach to young voters

Wednesday, Aug 9, 2023

Former Gov. Scott Walker said he believes Donald Trump will attend the Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee later this month because he just can’t resist a fight and the attention.

Community leaders discuss efforts to fight rising Milwaukee violence

Wednesday, Jun 14, 2023

Concordia University justice and public policy Prof. Kenneth Harris blasted part of the shared revenue proposal floating around the Capitol as “ridiculous.” Harris at a Milwaukee Press Club-WisPolitics.com event slammed the provision, which would transfer policy-making power from the Milwaukee

Milwaukee-area JFC members disagree on sales tax plan, Brewers stadium funding

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

The shared revenue bill’s referendum requirement for Milwaukee sales tax increases remain a big sticking point for Republicans and Dems. Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, and Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek, during a WisPolitics luncheon at UW-Milwaukee’s Zilber School of Public

Johnson says he doesn’t trust FDA on abortion drug

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2023

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says he has doubts about the FDA’s ability to avoid playing politics on approving an abortion drug because the pandemic has shown him it can’t.

Pollster Franklin says Protasiewicz’ strategy could become national template for high court races

Thursday, Apr 6, 2023

Marquette University Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin predicts Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race will be the template for high court races across the country over the next year, as abortion remains a salient issue for voters.

Evers demands Republicans tell him ‘the damn plan’ as they reject his budget proposals

Wednesday, Mar 8, 2023

The Dem guv at Tuesday’s WisPolitics.com Madison Club luncheon said there is a tenor of compromise in the Capitol right now, but Republicans still don’t agree with him on what to do with the state’s projected surplus of $7.1 billion through the fiscal year that ends June 30. Evers expressed frustration at GOP leaders for repeatedly saying it isn’t enough money to do everything he asked for in his budget.

Born: Republicans likely won’t include Evers’ local sales tax proposal in their budget

Wednesday, Mar 1, 2023

Joint Finance Committee Co-chair Rep. Mark Born at a WisPolitics.com luncheon said Republicans likely won’t include in their budget Gov. Tony Evers’ proposal to allow local governments to implement their own sales tax increases.

8th SD candidates differ on taxes, abortion

Monday, Feb 13, 2023

Republican 8th SD candidates Reps. Dan Knodl and Janel Brandtjen support flat tax proposals while fellow Republican Thiensville Village President Van Mobley wants to eliminate income taxes altogether. There’s even more space between candidates on abortion laws. Knodl supports exceptions

Schimming aims to boost fundraising as state GOP chair

Tuesday, Dec 27, 2022

The new state GOP chair said the first weeks of his term have been focused on several things. But perhaps nothing is more important than improving the party’s fundraising.

Agard encouraging Dems to boost outreach in GOP districts

Monday, Dec 26, 2022

Melissa Agard says there’s a simple key for Senate Dems to begin to climb out of the minority: show up.

Interview: Neubauer says Dem attendance during session days crucial to upholding Evers’ vetoes

Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022

Assembly Dem Leader Greta Neubauer has three goals for the upcoming session: promoting a visionary and inclusive policy agenda, continuing to find opportunities to work across the aisle and upholding Gov. Tony Evers’ vetoes. Part of accomplishing goal No. 3

Milwaukee leaders Crowley, Johnson optimistic about relationship with Legislature

Friday, Dec 16, 2022

Milwaukee leaders at a WisPolitics.com luncheon expressed optimism about their future relationship with the Legislature and finding common ground on funding for public safety, courts, and other local government duties.

Steil says House under GOP control will end proxy voting, focus on reduced spending

Thursday, Dec 8, 2022

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil says likely future House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will definitely end proxy voting “on day one.” The Janesville Republican at a WisPolitics.com DC luncheon this week said McCarthy, R-Calif., will also likely get rid of virtual participation almost altogether.

Panelists point to mistakes that led to losses for Barnes, Michels

Sunday, Nov 13, 2022

The losing statewide campaigns in the Nov. 8 election each made key mistakes that led to incumbents Tony Evers and Ron Johnson winning reelection, according to a panel of journalists and political strategists. Dem consultant Sachin Chheda at a WisPolitics.com

Panelists say Dems addressing additional issues after largely focusing on abortion

Friday, Nov 4, 2022

Panelists at a WisPolitics.com virtual luncheon Thursday said while Republicans have been focusing on inflation, crime and taxes, Democrats have until recently been largely focused on abortion. WISN-TV “UpFront” host Matt Smith said Democrats in the past few weeks have

Panelists says claims Latinos shifting to GOP overblown

Wednesday, Oct 26, 2022

Panelists at a Milwaukee luncheon said claims Latino voters are shifting to favor the Republican Party are overblown, while noting the community is not a monolith.

Panelists say GOP has good shot at supermajority in Senate, tougher path in Assembly

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2022

GOP and Dem insiders agree Republicans pining for a supermajority have a mostly clear path in the Senate, but winning 66 Assembly seats is a much bigger lift. Panelists at a WisPolitics.com luncheon at the Madison Club Tuesday said picking

Evers talks shared revenue, abortion during Milwaukee luncheon

Tuesday, Oct 11, 2022

Gov. Tony Evers today said increasing shared revenue, especially for Milwaukee, will be his top priority. He also said he won’t sign an abortion bill with rape and incest exceptions if he wins reelection. The Dem guv at a Rotary