LA CROSSE, Wis. — Democrats gathered in La Crosse this weekend for their annual state convention, just one day after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade case.
In the wake of the ruling, the tone and talking points changed, with the party now calling their biggest candidates a needed "brick wall" against further anti-abortion measures.
As of Friday, Wisconsin's 1849 abortion ban can be enforced again. However, on Saturday the governor and the state's top cop both reaffirmed their promise not to enforce it.
Gov. Tony Evers, who faces reelection this fall, told a crowd of supporters gathered inside the La Crosse Center that he can't help but think of his granddaughters.
“Yesterday, they were made second-class citizens,” Gov. Evers said. “That's bullsh*t.”
Though his attempt to repeal the ban earlier this week with a special session failed, Gov. Evers said he will take matters into his own hands.
“Did you ever think about the word clemency,” Gov. Evers asked the crowd. “I will provide clemency to any physician that is charged under that law.”
Before a physician is convicted though, they would have to be charged. That's something Attorney General Josh Kaul is already taking off the table at the state level as he campaigns for reelection.
“Let me be very clear about this; it does not serve the health or safety of Wisconsinites to enforce a 19th-century abortion ban, and we're not going to do it at the Wisconsin Department of Justice,” Kaul said.
He went on to tell supporters at Saturday's rally that in politics if you can't change minds, you have to change faces.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin echoed that call to action and also urged supporters to make their voices heard.
“Roe v. Wade is on the ballot and every voter, we have to exhort them to look to this issue,” Baldwin said. “Please send me a Democratic partner who will help.”
Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer and Milwaukee Co. Executive David Crowley also spoke at the rally and made a plea for voter participation up and down the ballot.
