Donald Trump made his fourth visit to Wisconsin in just eight days on Sunday, demonstrating his campaign’s focus on this crucial state. Republicans are concerned about his ability to match the enthusiasm and turnout machine of the Democrats.
During his speech at an airplane hangar in rural Juneau, President Trump expressed his confidence in winning Wisconsin, which is widely considered as one of the toughest swing states. Dismissing the notion, he confidently stated, “I don’t think so.” The overflow crowd was so large that it spilled out onto the tarmac.
Wisconsin has been a closely contested state in presidential elections, with the Republicans winning only once in the last four decades when Trump secured victory in 2016. If the Republicans manage to win Wisconsin again in November, it could prove to be a significant obstacle for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in her bid for the White House.
In the 2016 election, Donald Trump emerged victorious in the state, defeating Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, with a margin of less than 23,000 votes. However, in the 2020 election, he faced a narrow defeat to Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, with a difference of just under 21,000 votes.
On Tuesday, Trump paid a visit to Dane County, which is known for being the liberal capital city of Madison. This visit was a strategic move to encourage Republican voter turnout, even in areas of Wisconsin that lean Democratic.
Dane County is the state’s second most populous and fastest-growing county, where Biden secured over 75% of the vote during the previous election.
Former Republican Governor Scott Walker emphasized the importance of a comprehensive strategy that encompasses all 72 counties in order to achieve victory in statewide elections.
Juneau, a small town of 2,000 residents located approximately 50 miles north of Madison in Dodge County, proved to be a favorable location for Trump during the 2020 election. With an impressive 65% of the vote, Trump emerged victorious in this county.
U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, hailing from Juneau, emphasized the significance of turnout at the event by drawing upon his own experience in Madison. He highlighted the active participation of the liberal city and urged the audience to follow suit. Fitzgerald emphasized that their collective presence was crucial in preserving the autonomy and freedom of the nation.
According to Jack Yuds, the chairman of the county Republican Party, the support for Trump in this region is even stronger than it was in both 2016 and 2020.
Yuds expressed his frustration, saying, “I’m unable to retain any signs. People are eager to acquire anything that bears the name Trump. It’s a hot commodity in the market.”
Since becoming a candidate on July 23, Trump’s campaign and external organizations backing his candidacy have spent $35 million on advertising in Wisconsin, surpassing the $31 million spent by Harris and her supporters, according to AdImpact, a media-tracking firm.
Harris and the groups backing her campaign have secured a greater amount of advertising time in Wisconsin, totaling over $25 million, compared to Trump and his supporters who have reserved $20 million. This advertising time will be active from October 1 to November 5.
The spokesperson for the Harris campaign, Timothy White, stated that they have established 50 offices across 43 counties in Wisconsin. With a team of over 250 staff members, they have been actively working to support their campaign.
On the other hand, the Trump campaign has reported having 40 offices in the state, along with a considerable number of staff members dedicated to their cause.
Harris energized a large crowd of over 10,000 supporters during her rally in Madison back in September. In a strategic move to reach out to moderate and disenchanted conservatives, she recently organized a gathering in Ripon, the historic birthplace of the Republican Party. Joining her at the event was former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who has emerged as one of Trump’s prominent Republican critics.
Harris and Trump are directing their attention towards Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. These states, sometimes referred to as the “blue wall,” voted for Trump in 2016 but shifted their support to Biden in the subsequent election.
Wisconsin poses more of a challenge for Trump’s campaign, which is optimistic about its prospects in Pennsylvania and Sunbelt states.
“Wisconsin is known to be a challenging state,” commented Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser for the Trump campaign. LaCivita, who previously worked on Republican Sen. Ron Johnson’s successful reelection campaign in 2022, acknowledged the difficulty of winning in Wisconsin.
According to him, Michigan poses a greater challenge. He emphasized, “But let me be clear, these are states that Biden won and successfully carried. Therefore, we anticipate fierce battles all the way until the end, and we have no intention of surrendering any of that territory.”
The race in Wisconsin remains highly competitive, with the candidates neck and neck. Multiple polls conducted since Biden’s withdrawal in late July indicate minimal shifts in support. Moreover, these polls reveal a significant level of enthusiasm among voters from both political parties.
According to Mark Graul, the campaign manager for President George W. Bush’s 2004 campaign in Wisconsin, the frequency of campaign visits is a clear indication of Wisconsin’s significant role in the election.
According to him, the crucial factor for both parties is convincing occasional voters to participate in the elections. According to Graul, rallies are not as important as something else in his opinion.
