FACT BRIEF

Did Wisconsin Republicans gain a supermajority in the state Senate in 2023?

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

By Jacob Alabab-Moser

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YES

Rep. Dan Knodl's win in an April 5, 2023 special election for Wisconsin's 8th District Senate seat gave the GOP a supermajority in that body. A supermajority means Republicans have at least two-thirds (66%) of votes, or 22 of the Senate's 33 seats.

The Senate's supermajority means it can remove state officials impeached in the Wisconsin Assembly for "corrupt conduct in office or for the commission of a crime or misdemeanor."

Republicans have a majority in the Assembly, which is the required amount to impeach an official. They currently hold 64 of 99 Assembly seats — just short of the two-thirds required to override Gov. Tony Evers' vetoes.

As a member of the Assembly, Knodl said he would "consider" voting to impeach Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice-elect Janet Protasiewicz. However, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said there are no plans to remove anyone unless they do "something very serious."

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Sources

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Dan Knodl wins 8th Senate District race, giving Republicans a key majority

Wisconsin Public Radio Conservative wins in Wisconsin's 8th Senate District, securing GOP impeachment power

Wisconsin Watch Can a majority in the Wisconsin Assembly impeach elected officials?

WISN 'UPFRONT' recap: Supermajority in Senate at stake in 8th district special election

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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.