Despite the victories of liberal candidates in Wisconsin and Chicago last week, neither race should be interpreted as a full-throttled endorsement of the progressive agenda.
In turn, both races offer the Democratic Party a roadmap for a 2024 messaging strategy. By shifting to the center on crime and continuing to draw a contrast with the GOP’s extreme positions on abortion and other issues, Democrats can position themselves as the only party that stands for public health and safety, as opposed to Republicans, who take extreme stances and play politics without offering solutions.
A victory for Kelly would have arguably been attainable had he not supported a draconian state abortion ban from 1849. His loss suggests that Republicans will continue to lose winnable races due to their anti-choice stances, as more than 6-in-10 Americans support legal abortion in all or most cases. While clearly important, abortion was not the only issue at play in the Wisconsin race: Donald Trump, Trumpism, and Republican election denialism were on the ballot, as well.
Unless Republicans listen to voices like Rep. Nancy Mace and moderate their blanket opposition to abortion, they will find it more challenging to regain the presidency, win control of the Senate, and hold onto the House.
Roadmap to crime, higher taxes, death and exodus.