Movement in the governor's race

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We live in kind of a garbage political culture that values reality TV, aesthetics over competence and substantive knowledge, but I actually think that’s pretty bad for a governor”

– Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison), arguing that Wisconsin needs candidates who actually understand the levers of state government

Governor’s race

The political maneuvering behind the scenes in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor began this week when former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes dropped out of the race and endorsed Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, saying she “100%” believed other candidates should drop out and get behind Rodriguez. Deputy Editor Erik Gunn covers Hughes’ exit from the race and what it means for the remaining six candidates.

The Examiner’s ongoing series profiling the Democrats running for governor continued this week. Baylor Spears spoke with state Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison), who is basing her campaign on the belief that her years of legislative experience can win over voters as she starts to put up TV ads and more people tune in.

Isiah Holmes profiles Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who argues he’s the only candidate in the race with actual executive experience, saying he’s a Democrat who “gets things done.”

On Monday night, the six Democrats and Republican Andy Manske appeared at a forum in Pewaukee hosted by the prison reform organization WISDOM. Holmes reports on the event, at which candidates discussed their views on policing and incarceration, healthcare and immigration.

Ahead of this year’s midterm elections, the Trump administration’s actions and six years of simmering election denialism have raised fears about what could come Wisconsin’s way when votes are counted in November. Henry Redman speaks with election experts about those fears and how preparations are being made to counter the threats.

Environment and Energy

Earlier this month the Trump administration announced it would be spending millions of dollars to boost the country’s coal industry, which includes a $19 million grant to modernize a Columbia County coal-based power plant that was initially scheduled to be retired in 2025. Redman reports on the plant’s emissions, which have been increasing in recent years.

Activism against the controversial Line 5 oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin continued this week, with a group of Ashland residents protesting the use of the city’s Lake Superior water as a lubricant for drilling the rerouted new pipeline. Residents are complaining there wasn’t a public debate over the use of the water and say it could violate the Great Lakes Compact.

In a commentary, UW-Madison professor Jonathan Patz argues the Trump administration’s focus on coal is sacrificing the health of Americans and wasting money on an inefficient source of power.

Criminal Justice

A rule guiding how the Wisconsin Department of Corrections manages avoiding the re-incarceration of people who violate minor terms of their probation, parole or deferred prosecution agreements goes into effect this month. Criminal Justice Project Fellow Frank Zufall covers what the rule will mean and speaks with people who are directly affected and who say DOC is sticking with a damaging, punitive approach.

Labor

Members of the Group Health Cooperative of Southern Wisconsin took up a change to the organization’s bylaws after management opposed an effort from employees to start a union. Gunn covers the latest on the debate.

Opinion

Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, editor-in-Chief Ruth Conniff writes a commentary that looks at the state of abortion access in Wisconsin and what’s at stake in this year’s elections.

More from Washington:

Former Trump adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to mishandling sensitive documents

GOP dreams of another big budget bill dashed by Trump demands for SAVE America Act

Narrowed Education Department definition of ‘professional’ degrees stopped in federal court