We break down how Wisconsin will be deciding if the US Senate is controlled by Republicans or Democrats after the 2022 election. Will it be Ron Johnson running on for Republicans and who will he be facing from the Democratic side of the aisle?

We break down how Wisconsin will be deciding if the US Senate is controlled by Republicans or Democrats after the 2022 election. Will it be Ron Johnson running on for Republicans and who will he be facing from the Democratic side of the aisle?

From La Crosse to Madison to D.C., La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia and WIZM's Rick Solem break down the politics impacting Wisconsinites.

From La Crosse to Madison to D.C., La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia and <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">WIZM's</a> Rick Solem break down the politics impacting Wisconsinites.

The Democratic Voice Podcast

From La Crosse to Madison to D.C., La Crosse County Democratic Party chair William Garcia and WIZM's Rick Solem break down the politics impacting Wisconsinites.

The Democratic Voice

Wisconsin could decide who controls the US Senate in 2022

Across Wisconsin, data centers, surveillance and AI are taking over — literally and in politics. 

But in one corner of the state, it's a 190-mile power line that everyone cares about and nobody wants.

We open though with a sharp look at how politicians are walking a tightrope on data center developments due to campaign cash — calling out Republican Derek Van Orden for publicly defending "super intelligence" in social media comment sections, while contrasting his stances with leaders like Rebecca Cooke pushing for a moratorium.

That set the stage for this massive 765-kilovolt MariBell transmission line proposal across southwest Wisconsin, that threatens farmland, private property and the Driftless Region — even as electricity use in the state has barely budged in two decades.

Residents are united in opposing the project. But will that be enough?

While politicians across the aisle claim to oppose the build, Democrats like David Crowley and Cooke are the ones actually equipped to protect local communities. 

Because local ordinances can't legally block the project, the decision comes down to the state Public Service Commission, and Republicans take campaign cash from out-of-state tech billionaires. Crowley is looking to empower local towns and appoint utility regulators who stand up to energy developers rather than rubber-stamping their demands.

Across Wisconsin, data centers, surveillance and AI are taking over &mdash; literally and in politics.&nbsp;
But in one corner of the state, it's a 190-mile power line that everyone cares about and nobody wants.
We open though with a sharp look at how politicians are walking a tightrope on data center developments due to campaign cash &mdash; calling&nbsp;out Republican Derek Van Orden for publicly defending "super intelligence" in social media comment sections, while contrasting his stances with leaders like Rebecca Cooke pushing for a moratorium.
That set the stage for this massive 765-kilovolt MariBell transmission line proposal across southwest Wisconsin, that threatens farmland, private property and the Driftless Region &mdash; even as electricity use in the state has barely budged in two decades.
Residents are united in opposing the project. But will that be enough?
While politicians across the aisle claim to oppose the build, Democrats like David Crowley and Cooke are the ones actually equipped to protect local communities.&nbsp;
Because local ordinances can't legally block the project, the decision comes down to the state Public Service Commission, and Republicans take campaign cash from out-of-state tech billionaires. Crowley is looking to empower local towns and appoint utility regulators who stand up to energy developers rather than rubber-stamping their demands.

The MariBell transmission lines, and who's going to stop it

Republicans have, once again, thrown three very manipulative and confusing "yes-no" constitutional amendments on the fall ballot. 

Everyone on the state will see them on their ballots and you should vote no. We get into why.

Also, city of La Crosse residents will see a Community Healthcare Action Plan question to create a healthcare committee. Around 5,000 residents signed a petition to get it on the ballot. 

That one is a vote yes. 

It reads: “Shall the city establish a citizens advisory health care action committee to develop a biennial health care action plan and provide a public process for community input on health care?”

Back to the three GOP constitutional amendments, they were written by Republicans to confuse you enough to both not quite know what they're saying but also somewhat sway you to think you should vote yes. None of them had Democratic input. 

Republicans have, once again, thrown three very manipulative and confusing "yes-no" constitutional amendments on the fall ballot.&nbsp;
Everyone on the state will see them on their ballots and you should vote no. We get into why.
Also, city of La Crosse residents will see a Community Healthcare Action Plan question to create a healthcare committee. Around 5,000 residents signed a petition to get it on the ballot.&nbsp;
That one is a vote yes.&nbsp;
It reads: &ldquo;Shall the city establish a citizens advisory health care action committee to develop a biennial health care action plan and provide a public process for community input on health care?&rdquo;
Back to the three GOP constitutional amendments, they were written by Republicans to confuse you enough to both not quite know what they're saying but also somewhat sway you to think you should vote yes. None of them had Democratic input.&nbsp;

Why you should vote no on 3 GOP ballot questions, and yes on local one

Derek Van Orden is flailing in Congress and rapidly losing support from Donald Trump.

As House Republicans bail on Washington again to avoid doing their job, Wisconsin’s 3rd District Congressman finds himself isolated, underfunded, and making continuous public blunders.

We break down how Van Orden managed to insult two distinct communities outside the Capitol in a single TMZ clip, drawing direct condemnation from La Crosse's mayor, and we expose the fuzzy math behind his rural healthcare claims after he voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid — all after flying to Texas to suck up to Trump during a 6-minute speech.

Episode Highlights:
TMZ Blunder Sparks Outrage: Off-the-cuff Capitol comments managed to insult both Black and LGBTQ+ communities, drawing swift backlash from La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey.
The $1 Trillion Healthcare Scam: Van Orden touts a $50 billion rural hospital grant package, but hides the fact that he voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid.
Trump Cuts Cash, Elon Sends Scraps: Trump's Super PAC is stiffing Van Orden, leaving him to settle for a few thousand bucks in mailer scraps from Elon Musk's America PAC to keep his campaign afloat.
Punishing Hungry Families: Van Orden brags about "saving" SNAP after voting for new restrictions that cut off 30,000 district families.
Hiding from Voters: Instead of meeting constituents, Van Orden fled to a D.C. fundraiser while local Democrats connected directly with hundreds of voters at the Brad Pfaff Corn Roast.
Sneaky Campaigning on Your Dime: How Van Orden uses official, taxpayer-funded cabinet visits like RFK Jr. to cover up his lack of actual legislative work in Washington.
Massive Recess Dodge: Van Orden and House GOP leadership abruptly called off scheduled voting days to avoid a disastrous vote on impeaching Pete Hegseth.

The Democratic Voice is hosted by 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party Chair William Garcia and WIZM’s Rick Solem.

Derek Van Orden is flailing in Congress and rapidly losing support from Donald Trump.
As House Republicans bail on Washington again to avoid doing their job, Wisconsin&rsquo;s 3rd District Congressman finds himself isolated, underfunded, and making continuous public blunders.
We break down how Van Orden managed to insult two distinct communities outside the Capitol in a single TMZ clip, drawing direct condemnation from La Crosse's mayor, and we expose the fuzzy math behind his rural healthcare claims after he voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid &mdash; all after flying to Texas to suck up to Trump during a 6-minute speech.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">TMZ Blunder Sparks Outrage: Off-the-cuff Capitol comments managed to insult both Black and LGBTQ+ communities, drawing swift backlash from La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The $1 Trillion Healthcare Scam: Van Orden touts a $50 billion rural hospital grant package, but hides the fact that he voted to slash $1 trillion from Medicaid.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Trump Cuts Cash, Elon Sends Scraps: Trump's Super PAC is stiffing Van Orden, leaving him to settle for a few thousand bucks in mailer scraps from Elon Musk's America PAC to keep his campaign afloat.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Punishing Hungry Families: Van Orden brags about "saving" SNAP after voting for new restrictions that cut off 30,000 district families.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Hiding from Voters: Instead of meeting constituents, Van Orden fled to a D.C. fundraiser while local Democrats connected directly with hundreds of voters at the Brad Pfaff Corn Roast.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Sneaky Campaigning on Your Dime: How Van Orden uses official, taxpayer-funded cabinet visits like RFK Jr. to cover up his lack of actual legislative work in Washington.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Massive Recess Dodge: Van Orden and House GOP leadership abruptly called off scheduled voting days to avoid a disastrous vote on impeaching Pete Hegseth.</li>
</ul>
The Democratic Voice is hosted by 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party Chair William Garcia and WIZM&rsquo;s Rick Solem.

Wisconsin could decide who controls the US Senate in 2022

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