November 9, 2022

WEAC Election Round-Up

WEAC Election Round-Up Featured Image

Evers secures re-election

Governor Tony Evers’ record on public education and delivering for the people of Wisconsin has won him a second term to office. He will serve in office with Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, a former public health nurse who understands the importance of unions.

“WEAC congratulates Governor Evers and Sara Rodriguez,” said WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen. “The governor is a steadfast champion for students, educators and working people. He understands the urgent need to restore educators’ right to negotiate, address school funding, phase out tax-funded private school vouchers and end inequities in special education.

“Education was on the ballot this election,” Wirtz-Olsen said. “Thank you, WEAC educators, for leaving it all on the table. Our unwavering commitment to our students drove us to action, with our union leading the way to elect candidates who support students and respect our profession.”

Voters prevent veto-proof majority in State Assembly

Voters prevented a veto-proof majority in the state Assembly, preventing Republican leaders from re-introducing and passing some or all of the 100 bills Governor Tony Evers has vetoed. A few of those bills Governor Evers vetoed included:

  • Universal School Vouchers. This would have opened the floodgates for statewide, tax-funded private voucher schools, saddling taxpayers with private school tuition without a locally elected school board and raising property taxes by more than a half billion dollars. Read more.
  • Censoring Educators. This would have restricted teaching honest, complete facts about important historical topics like the Civil War and civil rights. In his veto message, Evers said students deserve to learn without interference from politicians. Read more.
  • Dismantling MPS. This would have broken apart Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and shifted students into new districts created mostly by politicians, creating a disastrous disruption for families who depend on MPS for education, meals and more. Read more.

While the veto was saved, Republicans did pick up some seats in the Legislature – reminding educators that our advocacy must continue across political divides in 2023 as the state budget is debated. Sign up now for WEAC Education Advocacy Alerts.

Josh Kaul re-elected Attorney General

Incumbent Attorney General Josh Kaul was re-elected to office. WEAC recommended Kaul for the position based on his excellent qualifications for the position.

Ron Johnson advances in US Senate

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson secured a third six-year term with a narrow win over Dem Mandela Barnes in the U.S. Senate.

See all election results

8 in 10 school referendums pass

Wisconsin voters approved more than 80 percent of school referendums on the ballot in the Fall General Election.

President Wirtz-Olsen said the re-election of pro-public education Governor Tony Evers — who supports using $2 billion of the state’s $6 billion in surplus funds to boost public school funding including student programs and educator pay – is a signal that voters are ready for leaders to fix state school funding, phase out state funding for private voucher schools and address severe inequities in funding for our most vulnerable students.

Read more & see all referendum results