Donald Trump made his fourth visit to Wisconsin in just eight days, highlighting the significance of this pivotal state in the upcoming election. Republicans are concerned about his ability to match the enthusiasm and turnout of the Democrats.
“They claim that winning Wisconsin is likely the most challenging task among the swing states,” Trump declared confidently during his speech at an airplane hangar in rural Juneau, where the overflowing crowd extended onto the tarmac. Dismissing their assertion, he added, “But I disagree.”
As the election in Wisconsin approaches, voters have already started casting their absentee ballots, with in-person early voting scheduled to begin on October 22.
Despite overlapping with a Green Bay Packers game, President Trump took the stage for nearly two hours, defying the expectations of Wisconsin politics and drawing criticism from Democrats.
However, this did not deter the thousands of people who remained loyal to Trump. In his address, Trump encouraged his supporters to vote by mail and to take advantage of early voting, emphasizing the importance of turning out in “record numbers.”
Trump confidently declared, “Winning Wisconsin means winning the presidency.”
Wisconsin has long been a battleground state in presidential elections, with a history of being closely contested. However, in the past 40 years, it has only voted for Republicans once, which was when Trump secured victory in 2016.
If the Republicans were 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 realm of political pundits, there is a growing concern,” expressed Brandon Scholz, a seasoned political observer from Wisconsin who formerly served as a Republican strategist. Although he cast his vote for Trump in the previous election, Scholz has decided against supporting either Trump or Harris this year. “Republicans have valid reasons to feel apprehensive,” he added.
Former Governor Scott Walker, a Republican, emphasized the importance of having a comprehensive strategy that covers all 72 counties in order to secure a statewide victory.
Juneau, a small town of 2,000 residents located approximately 50 miles north of Madison in Dodge County, proved to be a stronghold for Donald Trump during the 2020 elections. With an impressive 65% of the vote, Trump emerged as the clear winner in this area.
“Let’s make sure we show up because you know what? I’ve been to Madison,” declared U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, a native of Juneau, during the event. “I’ve experienced the liberal atmosphere of Madison, and let me tell you, they’re going to turn out. It’s crucial that we do the same because we are the barrier that will safeguard the independence and freedom of our nation.”
Yuds expressed his frustration, saying, “I can’t retain any signs. People are eager to acquire anything related to Trump. Anything with his name on it sells like hotcakes.”
According to AdImpact, Trump’s campaign and external organizations backing his campaign have spent $35 million on advertising in Wisconsin, surpassing the $31 million spent by Harris and her supporters. This significant disparity in advertising expenditures occurred between July 23 and October 1, highlighting the financial advantage of Trump’s campaign in reaching the Wisconsin electorate.
Harris and the groups backing her campaign have secured more advertising time in Wisconsin from October 1st to November 5th, totaling over $25 million. In contrast, Trump and his supporters have reserved $20 million for their advertising efforts.
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According to Timothy White, spokesperson for the Harris campaign, they have established a strong presence in Wisconsin with 50 offices spread across 43 counties and a dedicated team of over 250 staff members. On the other hand, the Trump campaign has reported having 40 offices in the state, along with a substantial number of staffers.
Harris energized her supporters in Madison during a September event that attracted a crowd of over 10,000 people. Recently, she reached out to moderate and dissatisfied conservatives by organizing an event in Ripon, the birthplace of the Republican Party. She was joined by former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who is known for her outspoken opposition to Trump within the Republican Party.
Harris and Trump are directing their attention towards Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, the states known as the “blue wall” that voted for Trump in 2016 but switched to Biden in the subsequent election.
The Trump campaign is confident about its prospects in Pennsylvania and the Sunbelt states. However, they view Wisconsin as a more formidable challenge.
The race in Wisconsin is currently neck and neck, according to a string of polls that have indicated minimal changes since Biden withdrew from the race in late July. These polls have also revealed a significant level of enthusiasm among supporters from both political parties.
Persuading infrequent voters to turn out is crucial for both sides, he emphasized.
Graul emphasized that rallies are not as important as other factors, in his opinion.
Mark Seelman, a resident of Watertown, expressed that the crowd’s energy and sheer numbers convey a powerful message about Trump’s popularity in Wisconsin.
“During Trump’s speech, he expressed, ‘Everybody is into it. It’s time for a change.'”
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Gomez Licon contributed to this report from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, and Jill Colvin in Butler, Pennsylvania, were also contributors to this report.