Jeff Mandell

@jeffmandell.bsky.social

Leading the fight to defend and advance democracy in Wisconsin, with @lawfwd.bsky.social. Dad of teens, husband, epicurean, fan of good tv and extraordinary ice cream. Opinions are my own.

A quick Wisconsin review of Trump’s new executive order: tl;dr – This does *not* change anything for our upcoming election for Supreme Court on April 1. Here’s why: 1/7

Take seriously what @danshafer.bsky.social says: “The cavalry is not coming. It’s up to us. As the perennial canary in the coal mine of every political issue, of course it’s up to us here in Wisconsin … to save our own democracy.”

It’s up to us, Wisconsin

While the fight might not be coming from national Democrats, Wisconsin voters have a unique opportunity at this moment to send a message to the Trump-Musk administration.

open.substack.com

As is often true, @joshtpm.bsky.social is precisely on point: “We’re in the midst of an authoritarian takeover of the U.S. government. … [I]f we care about this country, everything we do right now has to be guided toward defeating this takeover.”

Josh Marshall@joshtpm.bsky.social · 2y ago

tried to pull together a few different threads on the moment we're in Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act: Notes on Preserving the American Republic talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/obser...

Good morning. There's a motion hearing about to start in Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Michael Gableman, No. 2024AP2356-D. This is the disciplinary action arising from the ethics grievance that @lawfwd.bsky.social filed against Gableman in 2023. I'm listening in and will provide a running account.

Brad Schimel says that, if elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, he’ll be a “support network” for Trump. That’s not only gross but also incompatible with a judge’s obligations to hear cases impartially and to uphold the rule of law. 1/4

@robyablon.bsky.social hits the nail on the head in @contrariannews.org: "We now find ourselves in a world in which an outspoken foe of judicial independence is the most prominent financial backer of a candidate for a job that demands that very independence."

A test for judicial independence in Wisconsin

Elon Musk is spending big on the state’s Supreme Court race while expressing contempt for independent courts. That’s a worrisome combination.

contrarian.substack.com

We should expect that those who serve on the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the land, would take every possible step to ensure that they are above reproach. Instead, the Justices resist any ethical restrictions at all. 1/8

I have a new op-ed today in the @captimes.com about the Wisconsin Supreme Court election one month away. Democracy hangs in the balance, and I write about a recent judicial decision that illustrates that but has gotten remarkably little attention. It's hard to say what's most surprising:

This is a perfect example of why Wisconsin needs to move past the gerrymander and restore a functional, deliberative legislature that is responsive to the people’s will. When the vast majority agree, no one legislator should have a unilateral veto.

Republicans and Democrats agree on postpartum Medicaid expansion — Robin Vos says it’s unlikely

The fate of postpartum Medicaid expansion, a bipartisan effort in the Wisconsin Legislature, yet again falls in the hands of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who said it’s “unlikely” his chamber will ge…

wisconsinwatch.org

It’s been a roller coaster year for democracy. As we approach the shortest, darkest day of the year, many feel bleak looking at our federal government and at chaotic, unsettling developments around the world. But the picture in Wisconsin is bright and provides real hope. 🧵

Act 10—the union-busting law foisted upon WI by Scott Walker—has been ruled invalid, restoring public-sector workers’ basic rights. Within 1 year, @lawfwd.bsky.social has ended both Act 10 & the WI gerrymander, the twin cornerstones of last decade’s conservative takeover of our state. Forward!

Law Forward@lawfwd.bsky.social · 2y ago

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Frost ruled that Act 10, which took away collective bargaining rights from Wisconsin’s public employees, is unconstitutional under the state’s equal protection clause.

Law Forward's logo on light blue background with state of WI outline and gavel and red "WIN" stamp with "Abbotsford v. WI Employment Relations Commission"

Today is a good day for accountability in Wisconsin. It marks a major step forward in making clear that bad actors who attempt to undermine our democracy will face consequences for their conduct. 🧵