On Tuesday, April 1, Florida held special elections to fill two U.S. House seats, and Wisconsin held an election for a seat on the state Supreme Court.
In Florida’s first Congressional District, vacated by failed Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, a Republican, won by 14.6% over Democrat Gay Valimont. In the sixth Congressional District, an election was held to replace Michael Waltz, Trump’s national security advisor. Republican state Sen. Randy Fine defeated Democrat Josh Weil, a public school teacher, by 14%. While these two victories expanded the narrow 218-seat Republican House majority, the districts showed a significant Democratic shift, as each previously voted for Republican representatives by more than 30 points.
In Wisconsin, a swing state Trump won in 2024, the Democratic-backed candidate, Judge Susan Crawford, won the election for a state Supreme Court seat by 10% over Republican-backed Judge Brad Schimel. This was a pivotal race, as it not only decided the balance of power in the Wisconsin Supreme Court but was also the most expensive state Supreme Court race in history. Crawford overcame an astounding $25 million investment by Elon Musk in support of Schimel. On Tuesday night, Crawford declared, “Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price.” Her victory strengthens the liberal majority in Wisconsin for key cases concerning reproductive rights, labor unions, and congressional redistricting.
Florida and Wisconsin’s dramatic Democratic drifts are early indicators that Trump’s honeymoon period is over. Disapproval of Republican policies and actions is high, and Elon Musk cannot simply throw money at the problem to make everything okay for the GOP. Musk’s unlimited stash of political throwaway cash appears to have bolstered Democratic participation more than Republican turnout. His blatant interference and exploitation of the government have angered the Democratic base and convinced independents to go out and vote.
The surge of blue votes in red turf like Florida and Wisconsin continues the pattern of Democratic victories in special elections. In a special election for the state Senate in Iowa, Democrat Mike Zimmer won by 4% in a district Trump carried by 21 points. In Minnesota, Democrat Doron Clark won a district by a staggering 90%, restoring the Senate majority for Democrats. Furthermore, Pennsylvania recently held two special elections. In a state House district that Kamala Harris won by 16 points, Democrat Dan Goughnour doubled that margin, winning by nearly 30 points. In another seat in the state Senate, Democrat James Malone won a district that Trump had carried by 15 points.
Voters are turning out and making it clear that they are tired of tariffs, bothered by budget cuts, and infuriated by inflation. Trump’s reckless policy agenda, his incompetent Cabinet, and the overt participation of billionaire “cheesehead” Elon Musk have many voters concerned. And they are fighting back the only way they know how—by voting.
Voters are concerned about the erratic behavior of the Trump administration and feel they are not being heard. Many Republican town halls have erupted in disagreement and protest in response to representatives who refuse to listen to their constituents.
At a recent town hall, Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05) was booed and yelled at for two hours. When asked by constituents whether she would call for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following the Signal scandal, she said she would not. When concerns were raised about the absence of due process in immigration cases, she again stated that no action would be taken. Chants from the crowd signaled frustration and anger. Chants like:
“You work for us!”
“Do your job!”
“We don’t trust you!”
“You’re a fucking liar!”
“You’re not listening to us!”
Spartz’s story is one of many Republican town halls that have erupted in loud boos and chants. Instead of listening to their constituents and addressing their concerns, House Speaker Mike Johnson has advised his Republican colleagues not to hold town hall meetings. Johnson has chosen to ignore the cries of America, dismissing them as “professional protesters.”
Democrats have taken the initiative to hear the voices of those who are ignored. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) held town halls in the districts of his Republican colleagues Reps. Ken Calvert (CA-41), Young Kim (CA-40), and David Valadao (CA-22). Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) has staged two town halls in Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s district (WI-03). Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08) visited Rep. Andy Harris’s (MD-01) district, where he found hundreds of frustrated residents. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL-10) organized a town hall in Republican Rep. John James’s (MI-10) district.
Moreover, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) are going on a national tour to address the concerns of constituents from Republican areas, including Rep. Gabe Evans’s (CO-08) district. Democrats are listening, but more of them are needed to take significant action. As Republican leaders continue to hide and cower, the people are left with only one option: VOTE!
