4 Takeout from elections in Florida, Wisconsin starting April 1st

Voters in Florida and Wisconsin went to vote on April 1st to determine a race that could have a major impact on the composition of the U.S. House of Representatives and Trump agenda.

In Florida, voters filled two House seats in special legislative elections.

Wisconsin voters filled the judicial seat that was able to change the balance of power in the state’s Supreme Court. Wisconsinites also faced questions about voter IDs and state constitutions.

Here’s what happened in the poll:

1. Wisconsin maintains a liberal majority in the Supreme Court

Susan Crawford, a candidate backed by in-state Democrats and millions of candidates for out-of-state contributions, has won the most expensive Supreme Court seat in state history.

Crawford defeated former Republican attorney general Brad Schemmel, who had the support of President Donald Trump, but her straw opponent was tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Despite benefiting millions from out-of-state donations, Crawford was able to paint the race as a fight to prevent Musk from buying a seat in the state’s High Court through donations to support Shimmel.

Musk has donated $3 million to the state GOP and distributed two $1 million checks to signatories of petitions for judicial activities.

Billionaires George Soros and JB Pretzker have donated $2 million and $1.5 million to the state Democrats, respectively.

Bonanza, which includes tens of millions of small donations, allowed Crawford to outperform his opponent 2-1. Other groups have spent more than $81 million to support candidates, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

Musk pitched the race as a battle for the nation and its future. He said if the Liberals holds a current four-three majority in court, the map of the Congressional District would be redrawn in favor of Democrats, relegating the GOP majority there.

Crawford’s message proved to be more persuasive. Ashwaubenon voters said they “voted against Elon Musk” during the Epoch era after casting the vote.

Now, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Crawford, leads nearly 56% of the votes after 70% of the votes are counted.

2. Republicans will hold two house seats and increase the majority

The Florida Republicans won special elections in the state’s first and sixth legislative districts, maintaining the seats previously held by Rep. Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz.

The state’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, and state Sen. Randy Fein, won over the democratic opponents of their respective districts. Both districts were solidly Republicans, but Democrats Gay Valimont and Joshua Weil won Republican candidates for both races.

The result is added to the slim majority of GOP, 220-213. This will allow the majority of parties a little more breathing room when they pass legislation that supports Trump’s agenda.

Robert Y. Shapiro, a professor of political science at Columbia University, told the Epoch Times.

Aaron Dusso, an associate professor of political science at Indianapolis, said GOP should sigh with relief at the results.

“They’re voting some votes now,” Dusso told The Epoch Times. “It’s still a historically close home, but we can ensure that some of the Caucus’ most passive members can be voted against the party to ensure they don’t lose their vote.”

3. Democrats say the known Florida results are more likely to portray 2026 than expected

Despite losing both special congressional elections in Florida, the Democratic National Committee celebrated the fact that both margins were tougher than last year’s race, when Republicans enjoyed a landslide margin of over 30 points.

In contrast, Fine and Patronis carried the day with margins of 8% and 15% respectively.

Shapiro said the outcome is not normal as administrations without government tend to do well in medium-term elections.

“If the final votes for these races get a little closer, the warning lights should brighten a little,” he said.

Martin suggested voters have expressed “their anger towards Donald Trump and Elon Musk” about the funding cuts and layoffs recommended by government efficiency.

Several voters in District 6 told the Epoch Times that the administration’s actions appear to be a fundamental approach to reducing government spending.

“They cut off with hatch instead of females,” Greg Weiss, 71, told The Epoch Times.

Barbara Bay, St. Augustine, who voted for Weil, said she feared that Congress may not exercise its authority over mask work.

“Congress needs to be Congress again and we need to check Trump out now,” she told the Epoch Times. “No one checked the enforcement department and Congress went for lunch.”

4. Wisconsin authorizes adding voter ID requirements to amendments to constitutional ID

Wisconsin voters said yes to enforcing the state’s current voter ID in the state’s constitution and preventing future legislators from changing it.

The referendum won 62% of votes and 64% of votes were counted.

State Republicans approved the move, and Trump called on Wisconsinists to support it.

Twenty-three organizations, including the ACLU, Common Cause and the Wisconsin Public Radio Network, have signed public letters urging voters to reject proposals regarding the state constitution “not only because of its content but also because of the troublesome precedent.”

The signatories said the move is part of a “surprising trend that constitutional reforms will be rushed to vote.”

Samantha Fromm contributed to this report.