In a small town just under an hour from Milwaukee, the landscape remains unchanged as residents prepare for the upcoming elections. The main street, lined with a barber shop, a saloon, and a restaurant boasting homemade pizza, serves as a stronghold for Republicans, yet Democrats are making efforts to expand their presence.
Inside the Walworth County Democrats office, campaign buttons like “No hate in my state” and “I am a woman, watch me vote” capture the spirit of local activists. Ellen Holly, former chair of the Walworth County Democrats, expresses optimism about their potential to make a difference. The strategy, focused on “lose by less,” aims to secure votes in an effort to contribute to statewide Democratic success.
Holly points out that if they can pull off 42% of the vote, it will significantly help Democratic efforts statewide. She highlights the importance of every contribution, referencing how the county’s votes helped secure Biden’s victory by a narrow margin.
Political analysts note that the term “lose by less” has become a crucial part of the campaign narrative in this competitive state. With door-knocking a primary strategy, local volunteers engage with residents to discuss their concerns and priorities, often finding themselves in neighborhoods filled with signs supporting Trump.
Volunteers like Barb Bigler and Margie Black emphasize understanding voters’ issues rather than delivering a hard sell. Conversations often revolve around pressing topics, including abortion rights, with some voters hesitant to publicly show their support for Democratic candidates.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party is actively organizing community events, like a canned food drive, to engage with voters in predominantly Democratic areas. Hilario Deleon, the chair of the Republican Party of Milwaukee County, underscores the importance of approaching conversations in a non-confrontational manner and focusing on relevant local issues such as the economy and crime rates. Republicans set their sights on achieving 35-38% of the vote in urban areas as a benchmark for success.
Despite Democrats having significantly outfunded Republicans this election cycle, with close to $20 million raised compared to nearly $5 million for the GOP, Deleon argues that monetary resources alone do not equate to winning the hearts and minds of voters.
In the Walworth County campaigns, volunteers aim to educate new voters, including a recent high school graduate unsure about how to cast his vote. The focus is on fostering a welcoming environment to encourage participation in the electoral process.
As the election approaches, both parties ramp up their grassroots efforts, emphasizing the importance of local engagement and voter turnout. Further coverage will continue with a visit to a community impacted by past violence, highlighting the ongoing journey toward voter mobilization.
