GOP majority on life support in Wisconsin as incumbents bail on state Senate

Wisconsin Republicans suffered yet another blow to their prospects of hanging onto their majorities in the state legislature on Tuesday.

"More retirement news: Sen. Jesse James announces he won't seek reelection, dealing a blow to Republicans' chances of holding the state Senate," reported WisPolitics' J.R. Ross. "The GOP will now be without an incumbent in three of the four races considered in play."

James would have been competing with a newly redrawn seat in western Wisconsin against Democratic Sen. Jeff Smith, per Ross. This comes after GOP Sens. Rob Hutton of Brookfield and Van Wanggaard of Racine similarly abandoned their competitive races, leaving Sen. Howard Marklein the only incumbent defending a competitive seat.

Republicans currently hold 18 seats to Democrats' 15. Should Democrats sweep all competitive races, they would take a majority in the state Senate for the first time since a brief period in 2012.

For over a decade, Republicans in Wisconsin have enjoyed advantages due to aggressive gerrymanders in the state legislature; however, after voters elected a liberal majority to the state Supreme Court, those gerrymanders were thrown out, forcing Republicans to compete on more fairly-drawn maps at a moment when public mood is rapidly turning against them.

This comes as the state Assembly also sees GOP retirements. Earlier today, State Rep. Scott Allen abandoned re-election after losing his campaign for mayor of Waukesha, although his seat is less likely to be competitive.

It also comes after voters elected another liberal candidate to the state Supreme Court this month in a blowout 20-point margin, ensuring liberals will control the court at least until 2030, assuming no early resignations. That loss has Republicans pointing fingers and calling on the state party chair to resign.