Wisconsin's presidential primary on Tuesday has set the stage for a closely watched general election campaign, presenting a unique opportunity for Democrats in the state. The adoption of new legislative districts last month has leveled the playing field, erasing Republican advantages that had previously given the GOP control of the Wisconsin Assembly. Despite Democrats' success in winning 14 of the past 17 statewide elections, the Republican Party had maintained dominance in the legislature.

However, the new district boundaries have buoyed Democrats' hopes of challenging the Republican majority in the Assembly. Party leaders believe that invigorated legislative campaigns can also contribute to boosting voter turnout for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the November elections. This tactic, dubbed "reverse coattails" by the state's Democratic Party chairman, aims to engage voters who may have been unlikely to participate in elections before.

Ben Wikler, chairman of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, explains that the increased turnout resulting from legislative campaigns could significantly impact the number of votes received by the Biden-Harris ticket. He emphasizes that the consequences of the new district maps extend far beyond the State Legislature. However, it is too early to assess the effectiveness of this strategy.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties acknowledge that the upcoming fall rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump will be fought on a razor's edge in several key battleground states, including Wisconsin, which narrowly flipped from Trump to Biden in the previous election. Republican Robin Vos, the Assembly speaker who is responsible for recruiting and electing GOP candidates to maintain the party's majority in the Statehouse, rejects the Democratic premise. Vos contends that the presidential race will dominate voters' attention and motivation.

Nevertheless, Democrats argue that the redrawn districts will now receive renewed focus and resources. Neighborhoods in small towns, suburbs, and rural areas that were once heavily Republican but are now in more contested districts will see increased campaign staff and volunteers working to drive turnout. These districts were previously considered low-priority for effort and attention.

While Vos believes that Democrats' motivation will stem from their dislike of Donald Trump, Democrats are optimistic about their chances of swaying voters through local legislative races. The battle for control of the State Legislature in Wisconsin is expected to be fiercely fought, with parties recognizing the significance of gaining an upper hand in these newly competitive districts.

As November draws closer, all eyes will be on Wisconsin as the campaigns intensify. With the redrawing of legislative districts, Democrats sense an opening to reshape the political landscape and potentially secure a majority in the Assembly. Republicans, on the other hand, remain confident in the influence of the presidential race. The outcome of this power struggle will be critical, not only for the State Legislature but also for the overall political landscape in Wisconsin.