The American Conservative Union, which has been ranking the conservative bona fides of members of Congress since 1971 (“the most important conservative measuring stick in American politics,” according to the ACU), last year expanded the ratings program to state legislatures. This year, Wisconsin is among 15 state legislatures so rated, as part of ACU’s five year plan to rate every legislature, every year.
Ratings for Wisconsin lawmakers are provided in three categories: Defenders of Liberty scored 100 percent, ACU Conservatives scored at least 80 percent and True Liberals of the Badger State scored – 0 percent.
That last category included Assembly Democrats Mark Pocan and Kelda Roys, who are locked in a campaign for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Tammy Baldwin. That campaign has largely pivoted around the candidates’ efforts to portray themselves as the truest Progressive (or, if you will, Liberal).
The majority of the GOP members (and the sole Independent) in the Assembly received that most favorable Defender of Liberty rating, while the remaining 11 were rated ACU Conservatives. Also receiving that rating were three GOP Senators: Dale Schultz, and the recalled Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper.
READ: ACU ratings for Wisconsin legislators (PDF)
