In a significant development leading up to the general election campaign, Wisconsin's presidential primary on Tuesday has set the stage for a highly competitive battleground state. Democrats are viewing this opportunity as unprecedented in recent state history, thanks to new legislative districts that have erased Republican advantages and paved the way for a potential Democratic majority in the Wisconsin Assembly.

Despite Democrats winning 14 out of the past 17 statewide elections, Republican advantages in the previous legislative districts allowed the GOP to retain dominance in the Wisconsin Assembly. However, with the adoption of new legislative maps last month, Democrats believe they can now compete for a majority and also use the invigorated legislative campaigns to turn out votes for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

Ben Wikler, the state Democratic Party chairman, describes this strategy as "reverse coattails," a departure from the traditional idea that down-ballot candidates are carried by the top of the ticket. The goal is to drive up turnout among previously unlikely voters, directly impacting the number of votes for the Biden-Harris ticket. Wikler emphasizes that the consequences of the new legislative maps extend well beyond the state Legislature.

While it is still early to test Wikler's theory, both parties consider the fall rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump to be a closely fought battle in several contested states, including Wisconsin, which narrowly flipped from Trump to Biden four years ago.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, responsible for recruiting and electing GOP candidates to maintain the party's Statehouse majority, rejects the Democratic premise, stating that every voter will be focused on the presidential race, given its primary importance.

The Democrats, however, argue that the newly competitive districts will receive renewed personal attention, with a focus on neighborhoods in small towns, suburbs, and rural areas that were previously part of heavily Republican-performing legislative seats. Prior to the redistricting, these areas were deemed not worth the effort for Democrats, who were primarily focused on averting veto-proof GOP majorities. With the shifting landscape, the party will allocate more campaign staff and volunteers to drive turnout in these areas.

In addition to the consequential presidential race, Wisconsin also plays a crucial role in the balance of power in the Senate, as Democrats defend their slim 51-49 majority. Senator Tammy Baldwin, running for a third term, acknowledges the potential benefits of "reverse coattails" from the legislative races, pointing out that previous gerrymandered districts prevented competitive races across swathes of Wisconsin. Baldwin anticipates a year with numerous contested races and fair districts that will amplify people's voices and ensure their votes are heard.

One example of the impact of the new legislative districts is Weston, located in Marathon County. Previously divided into overwhelmingly Republican rural Assembly districts, Weston is now part of the new 85th Assembly District, projected to experience increased campaign activity. Bill Conway, the county's Democratic Party chairman, plans to mobilize progressive-minded voters who have been inactive in the past, emphasizing that anyone turning out to vote for the Assembly race is also likely to vote for Joe Biden.

While about half of the Assembly's 99 seats still favor Republicans, Democrats, who currently hold 35 seats, have a better shot in the 15 newly created districts. Some of these districts are located on the outskirts of the Minnesota Twin Cities metro area, as well as in Eau Claire and the Fox River Valley. Notably, President Trump plans to headline a rally in the vote-rich Green Bay area on Tuesday, highlighting its importance in the upcoming election.

As Wisconsin gears up for the general election, the impact of the newly drawn legislative districts and the Democrats' "reverse coattails" strategy remains to be seen. It is evident, however, that both parties recognize the crucial role the state will play in determining the outcome of the presidential race and the battle for Senate control.