Gov. Tony Evers vetoes redrawn legislative maps Republicans passed last week

MADISON – Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday vetoed a set of new legislative maps passed by Republicans last week amid an order by the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court to redraw the state's electoral boundaries.

The legislative action and subsequent veto comes days before two consultants are set to submit a report analyzing several map proposals submitted as part of the redistricting case before the state Supreme Court, which declared the current legislative maps unconstitutional. The court said it is prepared to draw maps if Evers and the Republican-led Legislature cannot reach an agreement.

"My promise to the people of Wisconsin is that I will always fight for fair maps — I won't accept anything less. It’s about doing the right thing. Simple as that," Evers said in a post Tuesday on the social media platform X.

"Republicans passed maps to help make sure GOP-gerrymandered incumbents can keep their seats. Folks, that’s just more gerrymandering. Wisconsinites don’t want Republican or Democrat maps because we're not a red or blue state — we’re a purple state, and our maps should reflect that."

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said last week that the plans made "minuscule changes" to a maps previously submitted by Evers.

Vos said Tuesday he was "disappointed but not surprised" by the veto.

“His action today only solidifies his trust in the Wisconsin Supreme Court to give him even more partisan, gerrymandered maps for Democrats — the very thing the court’s newest justice promised on the campaign trail while receiving record-level Democratic Party campaign donations," Vos said, referring to Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz, whom the speaker has threatened to impeach over her participation in redistricting cases given her criticism of the current maps.

More:Republicans press Janet Protasiewicz to recuse from challenge to congressional maps

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said Evers "speaks of compromise but governs as an extreme partisan."

In his veto message, Evers said the vetoed maps prioritize "protecting incumbent, gerrymandered legislators by making their future campaigns more convenient for them, not better the constituents they serve."

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.