Scott Jennings, a Republican strategist, recently articulated the stakes for the GOP during an appearance on CNN’s "State of the Union." He expressed apprehension regarding the potential ramifications of losing future elections, emphasizing the need for the party to remain vigilant to prevent a shift in power to the Democrats. Jennings outlined a scenario where a Democratic victory could lead to substantial changes, such as the possibility of impeaching former President Donald Trump again, eliminating the filibuster, expanding the Supreme Court, and granting statehood to Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

He warned that if Democrats were to win in the upcoming 2026 and 2028 elections, they could implement significant changes swiftly, which he characterized as detrimental to the Republican agenda. Jennings underscored the urgency for the GOP to counteract what he perceives as a coordinated effort by Democrats to reshape the political landscape permanently.

The discussion also included immigration policy, with Jennings raising concerns about potential reforms that could facilitate citizenship for a large number of individuals. He emphasized the necessity for the Republican Party to remain proactive and fulfill its commitments to avoid electoral complacency, particularly as midterm elections approach.

In a related development, Democrat Mandela Barnes has officially entered the race for governor of Wisconsin. Barnes, who served as the state's lieutenant governor for four years and narrowly lost a U.S. Senate race in 2022, positions himself as a prominent candidate in a competitive primary that includes several lesser-known individuals lacking established support networks.

Wisconsin's political landscape is notably divided, having elected President Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2024, while also supporting President Joe Biden in 2020, with each election decided by margins of less than one percentage point. In his campaign launch video, Barnes highlights his father's union background and critiques Trump, asserting that the Republican's focus has been on "distraction and chaos to avoid accountability." He raises concerns about tax policies favoring the wealthy and the rising costs for working-class individuals.

To appeal to independent and swing voters, who are crucial for success in the general election, Barnes adopts a moderate economic stance, stating, "It isn’t about left or right, it isn’t about who can yell the loudest. It’s about whether people can afford to live in the state they call home."

Despite his recognition, Barnes faces skepticism from some within the Democratic Party, particularly due to his previous Senate campaign loss to Republican incumbent Ron Johnson. The Milwaukee Courier, a Black-owned newspaper, has suggested that it may be time for a new candidate, citing Barnes' previous defeat as a reason for caution. He lost the Senate race by a narrow margin of approximately 27,000 votes, or 1 percentage point. Following this defeat, he established a voter turnout initiative called Power to the Polls, which he claims has strengthened his position for the upcoming governor's race. He also leads a political action committee.

Barnes joins a crowded field that includes the current lieutenant governor, Sara Rodriguez, as well as other state lawmakers and local officials. The leading Republican candidate is U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who has labeled Barnes as a "dangerous far-left extremist" and predicts that voters will reject him again in 2026.

The governor's race is significant as it presents opportunities for Democrats to regain control of the state legislature, aided by newly drawn electoral maps that are more favorable to their party. The current governor, Tony Evers, has opted not to seek a second term, creating an open race for the position. The primary election is scheduled for August, with the general election to follow in November.