Liberal Victories in Chicago and Wisconsin Energize Progressives and Shake GOP

Progressive wins in Wisconsin and Chicago elections this week show the staying power of left-wing positions on abortion and crime as issues heading into 2024. The results underscore that voters "turn out and are responsive to" the party's messaging on key issues including abortion, the integrity of U.S. democracy, and addressing crime. With Janet Protasiewicz's win in Wisconsin, the court could overturn Wisconsin's pre-Civil War abortion ban and revisit the 2022 congressional maps that favored Republicans. Meanwhile, in Chicago, progressive Democrat Brandon Johnson beat the more moderate Paul Vallas, who campaigned on a platform focused on public safety as the city grapples with high violent crime.