Two Freshmen Lawmakers in Wisconsin Revive Socialist Caucus

Monday, January 9th, 2023 -- 9:01 AM

(AP) It’s been 90 years, but socialism is back in the Wisconsin Legislature.

After taking their oaths of office Tuesday, two freshman Assembly members made it their first order of business to revive a socialist caucus that has been dormant since the 1930s.

As self-identified democratic socialists, a movement that has been regaining popularity in the U.S. with the help of young Democrats, Reps. Ryan Clancy and Darrin Madison plan to hold their own meetings to advance their policy goals while also caucusing with Assembly Democrats. In the Republican-controlled Legislature, however, the socialist caucus is a minority within a minority.

It’s highly unlikely that either Democrats or the new caucus will have their way on most issues. Clancy, a Milwaukee County supervisor, was still optimistic about bringing to the Assembly ideas he has successfully pushed for at the local level, such as guaranteed counsel for tenants facing eviction.

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