APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Wisconsin Republicans are rallying the troops. The state GOP holding its convention in Appleton this weekend.
From State Senators and Assembly members, to party leaders and Senator Ron Johnson from Oshkosh , Wisconsin Republicans are coming out of their convention as a united front, with the party focused on the November election.
“If we do not come together this fall it’s going to be a blood bath. So, we need to make sure we’re all on the same page, going in the same direction and we pull this off,” said State Rep. Nate Gustafson of Fox Crossing.
Party Chairman Brian Schimming added, “I travel all 72 counties of this state and the energy level is unbelievable, really really good.”
Much of that energy, at the convention, was focused on the national races, specifically the presidential and U.S. Senate race.
According to Roger Roth, a candidate for Wisconsin’s 8th congressional district, “The path for Trump to be reelected comes through Wisconsin. The path for Eric Hovde to flip the Senate comes through Wisconsin.”
Sentiments echoed by Sen. Ron Johnson. He said, “We need to be unified as the republican party to win the 10 electoral votes, elect a republican U.S. Senator. We’re going to, I’m sure nominate Eric Hovde. I’d love to see him as a colleague. We need to make sure at least six of our house seats remain in republican hands.”
One of those seats is for the 8th congressional district, in Northeast Wisconsin. Only three democrats have held the seat in the past 79 years. There are currently three republicans vying for it.
State Rep. Dave Murphy of Greenville said he’s not endorsing any of the candidates ahead of the primary, but “We have good candidates running for it and I think when the dust settles and our candidate comes out we’re going to continue to hold the 8th congressional district and that’s a good thing and I’m looking for us to come back with a larger majority in the house of representatives and a new majority in the U.S. Senate.”
Wisconsin republicans are looking to hold the majority in the state assembly and senate, too.
With new district lines, work to retain the redistricted seats will take some effort.
State Sen. Andre Jacque said, “I think really what it takes is a very aggressive, door-to-door, getting out and meeting the people every place where they’re at and I personally got drawn out of my district in the state senate, but I think anytime you’ve got new district lines you gotta go out and meet the new constituents.”
Republicans are ready to put in the work to ensure victory.
“I think the new gerrymandered maps are going to make it somewhat tougher for us, I expect we’re still going to win,” said Rep. Murphy. He added, “I think that democrats that thought they weren’t winning because of the maps are going to find out differently in November because we’re going to win with Tony Evers maps.”
Republicans prepared to carry over their convention excitement to campaigning during the next six months.
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