8.22.26

We Need Your Input on Wisconsin's Future
Wisconsin stands at a pivotal moment.

For more than a decade, we've seen what happens when volunteers, community members, and organizations advocate for people-focused policy, nearly all of which has broad support across the state and political spectrum.

Dear Milwaukee Leaders:

We are a broad coalition of Milwaukee organizations, faith leaders, advocates, and community members deeply concerned about the human consequences of federal immigration enforcement and the role private corporations play in supporting those efforts. We write today because the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District is considering awarding one of the largest public contracts in our region to Jacobs, a corporation with longstanding business ties to Palantir Technologies, whose software supports U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

Posted 7.15.26

MILWAUKEE — Community members, immigrant rights advocates, labor organizations, and concerned residents will gather on Monday, July 20 at 5:00 p.m. outside the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to oppose the potential selection of Jacobs Solutions for MMSD's wastewater operations contract. Advocates are raising concerns about the company's partnership with Palantir. 

posted 7.2.26

In response to the NRSC v. Federal Election Commission decision from the Supreme Court, Wisconsin organizations released a joint statement to call out this harmful decision and affirm our commitment to reining in big money in politics. 

The Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition is hosting a day of statewide rallies on Thursday, June 4. Why? Because Our Maps, Our Say!

Despite Wisconsin’s status as a closely divided battleground state, conservative candidates for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court are continuing to lose by wide margins. In 2026, that dynamic was especially striking because, unlike in 2025, independent expenditure groups spent relatively little to support conservative candidate Maria Lazar.

As WDC noted in its earlier analysis, Lazar was significantly outraised and outspent throughout the race. On April 7, she lost to liberal candidate Chris Taylor by a whopping 20 points.

Join Wisconsin Democracy Campaign for our ANNUAL GATHERING on Friday, May 15. 

posted 4.3.26

With just days remaining before Election Day, let’s take a closer look at the money shaping this year’s Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Voters are choosing between liberal-leaning candidate Chris Taylor and conservative-leaning candidate Maria Lazar. 

As noted in our previous analysis, the lower stakes of this race have led to significantly less overall spending compared to last year. However, even with reduced totals, one side is out-fundraising and outspending the other by substantial margins. Let’s get into the data.

posted 3.18.26

Wisconsin is a little over one month away from the April 7 State Supreme Court Election, where voters will choose between liberal-leaning candidate Chris Taylor and conservative-leaning candidate Maria Lazar. Unlike the last few years, we are not going to see record-breaking spending. At this point last year, independent spending had already reached $24.7 million. As of today, it stands at just $638,300 – under 3% of last year’s total.

As Wisconsin voters head to the polls this April for pivotal races — including the Wisconsin Supreme Court and critical local offices — the stakes couldn’t be higher. If we believe that power belongs to We the People, then showing up matters: the direction of our state and our democracy is shaped not just in Washington, but by who holds power in our courts, our counties, our cities, and our schools.

2.23.26

So far in the Wisconsin state legislative session, nearly 850 unions, corporations, nonprofits, and trade and ideological groups have spent time and/or money communicating with government officials or performing other lobbying-related activities, according to figures from the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.

New figures released break down the time and money spent for the second half of 2025. Groups spent more than $23.3 million and 80,000 hours lobbying the state government. 

Posted 2.6.26

Nearly 4,700 Janesville residents stepped up and did exactly what Wisconsin law allows and expects citizens to do.

They organized their neighbors.
They collected signatures.
They submitted a lawful petition.
And the City Clerk certified it as valid.

Their request is straightforward: before moving forward with a massive development at the former GM/JATCO site, let the people of Janesville decide at the ballot box.

Posted 2.4.26

In response to a suit brought by voters who were disenfranchised in the November 2024 election, the City of Madison is arguing that because the voters cast absentee ballots, they don’t have a constitutional right to have their votes counted.