Democrats Excel in Georgia, Wisconsin Elections on Tuesday: NPR

Recent elections in Wisconsin and Georgia have showcased a significant shift in voter sentiment towards the Democratic Party. This trend appears to indicate an ongoing Democratic overperformance since the 2024 presidential election, where support for Republicans declined noticeably.

Democrats Excel in Wisconsin Elections

On April 8, voters in Wisconsin elected a new justice to the state Supreme Court. Chris Taylor’s victory over conservative Maria Lazar was decisive, with Taylor securing 60% of the vote compared to Lazar’s 40%. This win expanded the liberal majority on the court to 5-2.

This outcome reflects a broader trend of increasing Democratic support in Wisconsin. In the 2024 presidential election, former President Trump narrowly won the state by less than a point. However, Taylor’s victory surpassed margins in previous nonpartisan court races in 2023 and 2025.

Georgia’s Congressional Shift

In Georgia, a special election runoff in the 14th congressional district brought mixed results for Democrats. Republican Clay Fuller won with 56% of the vote, while Democrat Shawn Harris garnered 44%. Notably, Harris had previously received less than 36% against former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in 2024, indicating a significant improvement.

Fuller faced Harris again in the upcoming general election, which will also feature an open gubernatorial race and Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff’s reelection campaign. This race highlights the competitive environment Democrats are working to navigate in historically conservative districts.

Overall Trends and Implications

According to analysis from The Downballot, Democrats have improved on their 2024 presidential election margins by an average of 11% in special elections held in 2026. Since early 2025, Democratic support has increased by approximately 13% across various electoral races.

• Democratic victories have occurred in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Virginia’s gubernatorial races.
• Polling indicates a preference among voters for Democratic control of Congress.
• Democratic enthusiasm appears high, especially for lower-turnout special elections and primaries.

In Texas’ recent primary, a record 2.3 million votes were cast in the Democratic contest, illustrating this enthusiasm. North Carolina also saw more Democratic votes in their primary compared to Republicans, and Mississippi experienced nearly an 80% increase in Democratic primary turnout since the last Senate primary.

As the 2026 election cycle progresses, the ongoing dissatisfaction with Republican governance in Washington is likely to influence voter turnout and preferences. With President Trump facing declining approval ratings amid challenges such as rising gas prices and a contentious foreign conflict, the Democratic Party may find itself in a favorable position as the midterm elections approach.