Voters thought Brad Schimel was bought!
We like most of President Trump’s agenda. We like his war on DEI. He is securing the border. He is deporting terrorists. He makes Europe pay for its own defense. He supports Israel. … and … and … well, that’s enough for now.
But Wisconsin was never all that Trumpy. He had no coattails in Wisconsin’s spring election. He lost Wisconsin in 2020 (he really did, Patriots!) and won our fair state the next election, but barely: just 29,397 votes — 49.6% to 48.7%. The evidence is that, by figuratively wearing the MAGA cap, good and decent Brad Schimel lost the middle.
The Institute for Reforming Government completed its autopsy. Its poll of voters showed abortion was important but so were Donald Trump and his stand-in, Elon Musk — to the candidate supported by Democrats.
55% said that claims Schimel was bought off with campaign contributions influenced their vote, 30% of Republicans said the same.
In a low-turnout Spring Election where over 635,000 Trump voters stayed home, the race became a referendum on Trump and Elon Musk—with significant consequences.
• 59% disapprove of Musk, including 64% of independents
• Tariffs and DOGE are unpopular: 62% and 50% unfavorable, respectively
• Stopping Trump’s agenda was a key motivator: 75% of all voters and 53% of independents cited it as influential — C.Z. Safir on the IRG’s polling
Blaska’s Bottom Line: A case can be made that Susan Crawford was just as bought, by the likes of George Soros and J.B. Pritzker. But Elon Musk handing out one million-dollar checks on the nightly news burned into voter retinas. By trawling for Trump voters, Brad Schimel lost the persuadables. Going rogue has worked before; Wisconsin elected Fighting Bob La Follette, Tailgunner Joe McCarthy, Bill Proxmire, and nobody’s senator-but-your-own Herb Kohl. Ron Johnson came out of the Tea Party movement well before Trump rode that escalator.
6 responses to “Wisconsin is just not all that Trumpy”
“A case could be made Crawford was just as bought..”– really? Progressives invented outside billionaire influence. Musk is just more direct (and honest) about it. I don’t understand the low Trump voters turnout. It’s like ordering the expensive restaurant meal but skipping desert!
Kooter,
When people were completely full of the sh!t that was being presented to the public (the circus of mud slinging) no one could stomach any more and simply passed over the desert tray and went straight home to nap off their food coma. Do not pass go, do not collect more votes.
That’s a pretty big statement coming from a guy who Musk bought for a lousy 100 bucks.
Ewers ok,’ed so schools can make sure teachers get monster wages but the kids get dumber. Nice. And, damn they are stupid today.
Send all your fancy numbers to DC. We all know Musk is an unelected grifter just out to get government contracts. We hate that guy and I’m sick of hearing about him. Keep pushing him up our butts and your party won’t win an election for years. No one in your party has the nuts to tell Dementia Don to deport that fool. Now you have Vance dragging you down. Even the POPE hates that guy.
LieSack, give it up already. The village idiot thing only plays so long.