Georgia and Wisconsin Elections: Key Insights from the Politics Desk Tonight
Steve Kornacki laid out key dynamics shaping contests in Georgia and Wisconsin as results arrived tonight. Filmogaz.com’s Politics Desk reviewed the races and national implications.
Georgia 14th District runoff
Republican Clay Fuller entered the runoff as the heavy favorite. The contest fills the seat vacated by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
The northwest Georgia district backed Donald Trump by 37 points in 2024. That margin makes the outcome largely about how wide Fuller’s victory will be.
In prior House special elections during Trump’s second term, Democrats improved by 13 to 22 points compared with Kamala Harris’s 2024 performance. Low-turnout specials often produce large swings due to base motivation.
On March 10, a preliminary all-party ballot produced a 59 percent combined Republican vote share versus 39 percent for Democrats. That 20-point gap amounted to a 17-point net improvement for Democrats versus Trump’s 2024 margin.
Democrat Shawn Harris led the March vote total after consolidating Democratic support. Fuller faced multiple established and well-funded GOP opponents then, leaving room for him to increase his share.
A result closer than 20 points would be a boon to Democrats. A wider margin would reinforce Republican strength in the district.
Wisconsin Supreme Court picture
Last year’s high-profile contest delivered a liberal majority on the state Supreme Court. That majority remained secure entering tonight.
Democratic-backed Justice Chris Taylor was favored to win comfortably in this cycle. Still, observers tracked county-level shifts for broader signals about statewide trends.
Suburban and rural counties to watch
Ozaukee County, a Milwaukee suburb, was a key bellwether. It has the state’s second-highest concentration of white residents with college degrees, behind Dane County.
Historically Republican, Ozaukee last voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in 1964. In 2024, Trump’s margin there narrowed to 10 points — the smallest GOP edge since 1964. The liberal Supreme Court candidate came within four points there last April.
A flip in Ozaukee would be notable for Democrats and a signal about educated suburban trends.
The Driftless Area in southwest Wisconsin drew scrutiny as well. This blue-collar region moved toward Trump in 2016, saw some reversion in 2020, and swung back in 2024.
Trump won the Driftless counties by nine points in 2024. Yet in last April’s Supreme Court race, the same counties favored the liberal candidate by nine points. That represents an 18-point swing.
Analysts noted a sharper turnout decline in the Driftless Area during the court race. Voters who did show up leaned more Democratic.
Conservative backlash over Iran policy
President Trump’s shift from a “no new wars” message to threats against Iran has produced public pushback. Several prominent MAGA media figures and activists voiced dissent.
- Notable critics included Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, Mike Cernovich, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Candace Owens.
- Alex Jones and Marjorie Taylor Greene urged invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office.
- Tucker Carlson publicly urged aides to reject plans targeting Iranian civilians, including potential nuclear options.
Some Republicans in Congress also set limits. Sen. John Curtis of Oklahoma urged requiring specific congressional authorization for further hostilities. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin warned against destroying civilian infrastructure.
With Congress in recess, most House and Senate Republicans kept publicly muted positions. Still, the dissension among influential conservative voices signaled internal strain.
Other headlines
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, in his first public appearance, said the Justice Department was not focused on pursuing the president’s political opponents.
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick agreed to voluntarily meet the House Oversight Committee on May 6 about his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
- An Indianapolis council member reported that more than a dozen bullets struck his home. A handwritten note reading “No Data Centers” was left at the scene.
The Filmogaz.com Politics Desk compiled these key insights tonight. The newsletter was assembled by Adam Wollner. Send feedback to [email protected].
