Elections

US Rep. Mark Pocan on voter intensity and the 2026 elections

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-2nd Congressional District, discusses the influence of voter intensity on Chris Taylor's 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court win and turnout expectations for the November election.

By Frederica Freyberg | Here & Now

April 11, 2026

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Mark Pocan on voter intensity and turnout expectations for the November 2026 election.


Frederica Freyberg:
What's your reaction to liberal Supreme Court candidate Chris Taylor's 20-point victory?

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan:
Well, she was an extraordinarily good candidate. I think they fielded an extraordinarily poor candidate by Supreme Court standards, but people also are very frustrated with what's happening nationally, and I think you saw that translate. I mean, you saw mayors flip from conservative to more progressive across parts of the state that aren't exactly blue, maybe not even purple, but people are just frustrated with what's going on. So, I think you saw a lot of that. But you know, Chris Taylor is going to be a great Supreme Court justice. She's very smart, very savvy. I've worked with her since my time in the state Legislature. She's going to help that court. We need that court to probably get a kick in the butt, maybe, to get a few more things done, and I think she may just be that catalyst.

Frederica Freyberg:
But how is a spring election different from a November election?

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan:
Turnout's definitely lower, but you saw the intensity of certain people wanting to come out, and we've seen that also in polling, the intensity of Democratic or more progressive-leaning voters versus Republican. People are really upset with Donald Trump, and very few are very happy. In fact, independents, we saw a poll, the swing was 48 points from independents from a year ago. That was called extinction-level numbers when that happens. So, I think when you look at certain congressional districts in Wisconsin, the state Assembly and state Senate are both up to flip. I think all of that is going to happen this November because people have just had it with how Donald Trump is behaving and how Republicans are just rolling over and getting their bellies rubbed rather than standing up and fighting for their constituents.

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