The GOP is guaranteed a lopsided majority in 50/50 Wisconsin and the Packers beef up the defense, again

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·5 min read
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Craig Gilbert: How Wisconsin's redistricting guarantees a lopsided Republican legislature in a 50/50 state

  • To win the Assembly, Democrats would have to win all 36 Democratic-leaning seats plus at least 14 seats that lean Republican in their makeup, including nine seats that have at least a five-point GOP lean, four seats that have at least 10-point GOP lean and one seat that has a 12-point GOP lean.

  • To win the state Senate over the next few years, Democrats would have to win seven seats that lean Republican, including five seats that have at least a five-point GOP lean and one seat that has a 10-point GOP lean. Republicans could suffer their worst election cycle in more than a decade, get blown out at the top of the ticket by eight or nine points, and still expect to keep control of the Legislature.

  • The new map makes a two-thirds super-majority (enough to override a governor’s veto) very likely in the state Senate. In the Assembly, it gives the GOP a plausible shot at winning 65 seats (one shy of two-thirds) but winning a 66th seat is improbable since it would require winning at least one district with a seven-point Democratic lean.

Milwaukee jury rejects self-defense, convicts Clifton Blackwell in 2019 acid attack that burned Hispanic man

  • Blackwell, 64, was found guilty of first-degree reckless injury, with a dangerous weapon, as a hate crime. He was taken into custody after the verdict. He faces up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing next month.

  • Blackwell and Mahud Villalaz were strangers on Nov. 1, 2019, when Villalaz parked his truck outside a south side Milwaukee restaurant, in the bus stop zone. Blackwell, who was waiting for a bus, told Villalaz he was parked illegally. The men had an animated discussion that was recorded — though not heard — on surveillance video. Blackwell reached into his satchel, took out an aluminum bottle and removed the cap during the exchange. After Villalaz moved his truck, Blackwell splashed the bottle's contents on Villalaz's face.

  • After the verdict, attorney Craig Mastantuono released a statement on behalf of Vallalaz, thanking police, prosecutors and the community that supported him through the experience. "Mr. Villalaz’s facial burns have healed from the acid thrown in his face; he still carries with him the bigoted hatred of that act, but also the support and empathy of his fellow American citizens," the statement read. "As Mr. Blackwell suggested, Mahud Villlalaz is going back to his country today — the United States — knowing justice has been served."

Packers beef up the defense in the first round, again

  • The Packers opened their 2022 draft by selecting Georgia linebacker Quay Walker with the 22nd overall pick. It’s the first time the Packers have drafted an inside linebacker in the first round since A.J. Hawk in 2006. Walker is a big, explosive athlete, the type who will fit nicely paired next to All-Pro linebacker De’Vondre Campbell in the middle of the Packers' defense.

  • With their pick at No. 28 in the first round, the Packers selected another Georgia player, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt. Wyatt is a 6-3, 304-pound tackle who makes it a Georgia sweep for the Packers in the first round. The defensive tackle was a first-team All-SEC selection for the national champion Bulldogs. He finished with 39 tackles, seven for loss with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 starts.

  • The selections continued a clear theme for General Manager Brian Gutekunst this offseason. Since trading Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, Gutekunst has pivoted to focus on building the Packers' defense. They re-signed Campbell, cornerback Rasul Douglas and edge rusher Preston Smith while adding free-agent defensive lineman Jarran Reed

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The Money

ELECTRIC RATES: WEC Energy Group is seeking approval from state regulators to increase its electric rates between 5% and 6%, or about $60 to $72, for the typical residential customer, starting in 2023. The increase will affect We Energies customers and WPS customers. The last time WEC Energy Group asked for a rate increase was in 2019.

OSHKOSH DEFENSE: The United Auto Workers and the Natural Resources Defense Council are suing the U.S. Postal Service in an effort to halt production of the next-generation postal trucks being manufactured by Oshkosh Defense.

The Fun Stuff

THIRD WARD: The restaurant and butcher shop Bavette la Boucherie is ready to open its new Third Ward home, at 217 N. Broadway. Lunch on Friday will be the first service open to the public.

3RD STREET MARKET: Strange Town Bottle Shop's natural-wine bar opens Sunday at 3rd Street Market Hall.

The Games

BREWERS: Christian Yelich starts a ninth-inning rally with a pinch-hit bunt single, leading to a 3-2 win over the Pirates and a series sweep for the first-place Brewers. How good is this team going to be when they start hitting?

BUCKS: The Bucks open their second-round playoff series against the Celtics Sunday in Boston. Here's what you need to know about the Celtics.

Today in Wisconsin History

Looking for a prestige replacement for the 20-year-old Majestic Theater, the Keith-Albee-Orpheum theater chain built a new theater in the Empire Building at what is now Wisconsin and Plankinton avenues, on the west bank of the Milwaukee River. According to an advertisement in the April 29, 1928, Milwaukee Sentinel, the 2,558-seat Riverside Theater debuted on this date with a "gala opening bill" featuring Ezra Buzzington's Rustic Revelers, "Winkel the Whiteman of the Wurlitzer" and "The Big Noise," a 1928 silent comedy with Chester Conklin and Alice White. - Chris Foran

Today's Weather

A high of 53 under partly sunny skies. The weekend looks wet.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The GOP is guaranteed a lopsided majority in 50/50 Wisconsin