Yes. Homicide and aggravated assault in Wisconsin rose between 2018—the year before Gov. Tony Evers took office—and 2021, although the rates of rape and robbery in the state did not. Between 2019 and 2021, homicides rose by 70% — reaching 315 in 2021.
Author Archives: Jacob Alabab-Moser / Wisconsin Watch
Jacob Alabab-Moser joined as Wisconsin Watch’s fact checker in September 2022, as part of the effort by The Gigafact Project in partnership with different state-level news outlets to combat misinformation in the 2022 midterm elections. Jacob has several years of experience as a fact checker and research assistant at a variety of organizations, including at The Gigafact Project. He holds a BA from Brown University and is pursuing a MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Posted inFact briefs
Did Wisconsin US Sen. Ron Johnson say he wants to end Social Security and Medicare?
No. In August, Wisconsin’s incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson stated his stance in an interview that the government should make all federal spending—including budget items currently “on automatic pilot” like Medicare and Social Security—discretionary. He argued that this change would allow the government to evaluate and “fix” broken programs.
Posted inFact briefs
Did the wife of US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas push Wisconsin lawmakers to throw out votes from the 2020 election?
Yes. Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, the conservative activist and wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, emailed at least three Wisconsin state lawmakers on Nov. 9, 2022, in an attempt to persuade them to overturn the results of the presidential election, in which Democrat Joe Biden defeated Republican President Donald Trump.
Posted inFact briefs
Did U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson say Wisconsin has ‘enough’ jobs?
Yes. In February, Wisconsin’s incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson stated that, “Obviously I am always supportive of manufacturing here in Wisconsin, but at the same time, I recognize that manufacturers have different capabilities elsewhere.”
Posted inFact briefs
Did a campaign event for Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels held at a church violate the law?
Yes. Republican candidate for governor of Wisconsin Tim Michels made a campaign appearance and gave a speech at the Sunday service of the DaySpring Baptist Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin on Sept. 25, 2022.
Posted inFact briefs
Did a campaign event for Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels held at a church violate the law?
Yes. Republican candidate for governor of Wisconsin Tim Michels made a campaign appearance and gave a speech at the Sunday service of the DaySpring Baptist Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin on Sept. 25, 2022.
Posted inFact briefs
Did Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels change his position on exceptions for an abortion ban?
Yes. Tim Michels, Republican candidate for governor of Wisconsin, recently shifted his stance on whether he would back an abortion ban law with exceptions in cases of rape and incest.
Posted inFact briefs
Does Wisconsin U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes want to defund the police?
No. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, has shown support for increased law enforcement funding during his campaign. Several campaign materials showcase this support, including ads and a page on his official site listing endorsements from law enforcement and a call to give police “the resources they need to keep us safe.”
Posted inFact briefs
Did Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels change his position on exceptions for an abortion ban?
Tim Michels, Republican candidate for governor of Wisconsin, recently shifted his stance on whether he would back an abortion ban law with exceptions in cases of rape and incest.