OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) — A UW-Oshkosh Professor is looking ahead to the 2022 election.
Dr. Juliana Troicki is a Political Science Professor and says both parties are going to have to overcome political fatigue.
“The last four years plus have been very exhausting, psychologically,” Troicki told WTAQ. “Not just the pandemic, but also politically. So I’m wondering how many people still care.”
That, she says, might make it difficult to reach voters this year.
“Can they manage to still engage voters? Can they still make people turn out, or have people resigned to the status quo?” asked Troicki.
The turnout question is amplified by concerns Troicki holds about democracy itself. Troicki, who is originally from Germany, adds that gerrymandering across the nation and continuing accusations of election fraud in 2020 may have some level of impact on the race.
“Chipping away at our democracy actually, is Gerrymandering, right? The redistricting and cutting up of electoral districts. That’s in partisan hands in the United States,” said Troicki.
She says both parties have and continue to engage in gerrymandering, which makes races less competitive.
She’s also concerned with continuing accusations of election fraud in 2020.
There are a few statewide races that Troicki identifies as being fairly competitive. It will likely be a close race between Republican US Senator Ron Johnson and whichever Democrat winds up on top after what’s expected to be a close primary fight. The race for the Governor’s mansion, too, is expected to be close between Democratic incumbent Tony Evers and whichever Republican comes out on top of a crowded field of contenders.
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