“How Republicans Lost Wisconsin — and Why It Matters Everywhere”

The recent defeat of former Attorney General Brad Schimel in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, despite high-profile backing from figures like Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, underscores a growing challenge for Republicans across the country: the rising importance of local elections in shaping national outcomes.

Judge Susan Crawford’s decisive victory preserved the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s 4-3 liberal majority and may influence significant rulings on redistricting, abortion access, and labor relations. With the court poised to weigh in on congressional map redrawing, the result could have national implications, including the potential to shift the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This outcome serves as a reminder that local elections are not peripheral. Rather, they are central to the direction of public policy and the political landscape. City councils, county boards, and state courts often set the tone for how broader ideological agendas are implemented. In this context, Republican underperformance in local races raises concerns about the party’s long-term national viability.

Historically, local government has been a testing ground for core conservative principles — limited government, fiscal discipline, and economic growth driven by private enterprise. Yet, Republican participation and investment in local races have often lagged behind that of Democrats. While national contests draw significant attention and resources, many local races remain underfunded and undervalued.

Commentators such as Jack Posobiec have voiced frustration with this dynamic. “This is a wake-up call for MAGA,” he wrote following the Wisconsin loss. “You can’t rely on big names like Trump or Elon to carry us in every off-cycle election. You need a machine that fights every race down to the local level.”

Democrats’ success in Wisconsin was not merely a matter of funding, but of organization. They mobilized voters effectively and strategically invested in grassroots infrastructure — a model that Republicans must learn from if they hope to remain competitive in key battleground states.

This understanding has shaped my own engagement in public service. In Huntington Beach, California, I joined my local city council after recognizing that lasting change begins at the municipal level. Local governance offers a unique opportunity to deliver tangible results on issues like public safety, homelessness, and economic development — concerns that affect citizens’ daily lives far more directly than most federal legislation.

Huntington Beach, often cited as one of California’s best-run cities, demonstrates what pragmatic, community-focused governance can achieve. Residents enjoy strong public services, low crime, and high quality of life. These outcomes are the result of focused investment in public infrastructure, mental health services, and law enforcement — not ideological grandstanding. This stands in contrast to nearby cities like Los Angeles, where more progressive policy approaches have coincided with growing challenges in housing, crime, and public health.

Despite the risks, more citizens should consider entering local politics. Fears of backlash or “cancel culture” are often overstated. In reality, many residents are eager for thoughtful, problem-solving leadership that prioritizes results over rhetoric.

Traditional Republican strongholds are being reshaped through redistricting, and voter turnout often declines in cycles without a high-profile national figure on the ballot. This dynamic has created an imbalance, where Democratic turnout remains high while Republican engagement lags behind. Closing this gap requires deeper local investment, year-round voter engagement, and candidates who resonate with their communities.

The path toward limited federal government and national reform runs through local institutions. If Republicans cede city halls, school boards, and state courts, they risk undermining their national platform — regardless of who leads at the top of the ticket. The Wisconsin Supreme Court race should not be viewed in isolation. It is part of a larger pattern, and the GOP’s future may well depend on how seriously it takes these local contests moving forward.

Source article originally posted here: https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/5243485-wisconsin-supreme-court-loss-republicans/

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