Staff Reports
Wisconsin is becoming a hot spot in the early stages of the 2024 presidential election. The Republican National Committee has chosen the state to hold its first primary debate and the 2024 RNC Convention. This is significant because Wisconsin is a battleground state that voted for Donald Trump in 2016 but swung towards Joe Biden in 2020. If the 2024 election becomes a rematch between Biden and Trump, Wisconsin will play a crucial role.
Republican debate: How Wisconsin became center of 2024 election ahead of GOP event https://t.co/01X27ulEO6
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 21, 2023
Despite Trump’s absence, he is expected to have a major influence on the debate stage. Fox News moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, as well as Trump’s campaign, predict that his presence will be felt. On the other hand, Biden’s campaign has made it clear that they will be present in Milwaukee for the debate. They have launched a major ad buy targeting black and Hispanic communities in seven states, including Wisconsin. Additionally, the Democratic National Committee has purchased billboards in Milwaukee to highlight Biden’s record and contrast it with what they call the “MAGA agenda.”
Biden’s recent visit to Wisconsin focused on his economic agenda dubbed “Bidenomics” and manufacturing. His campaign has been actively undermining confidence in Trump’s economic policies by highlighting a failed manufacturing deal with Foxconn. Trump’s deal promised to bring thousands of jobs and a significant investment to the state, but ultimately delivered far less than expected. Trump’s decision to skip the RNC debate and opt for an interview with Tucker Carlson was seen by the Biden campaign as an attempt to avoid facing his failures in Wisconsin.
The Trump campaign responded by criticizing Biden’s leadership and calling him the “worst president in our country’s history.” They argue that Trump represents everyday Americans who want to return to a booming economy, safe communities, a secure border, and respect on the world stage. Despite the heated rhetoric, a recent poll showed Biden leading Trump in Wisconsin, with a higher margin when compared to a matchup against potential GOP primary opponent, Governor Ron DeSantis.
Overall, Wisconsin’s significance in the 2024 election cannot be overlooked. Both candidates are making efforts to win over the state, and their campaigns are using different strategies to appeal to Wisconsinites. Only time will tell which approach will prevail.
