Residents of Sauk City, Wisconsin recently gathered in their local library to express their concerns and frustrations regarding national politics and the imminent state Supreme Court election. A large group of Democrats voiced their anger at President Donald Trump, his ally Elon Musk, and the general trajectory of the nation. During the meeting, one individual even suggested riots while another admitted feeling ashamed to be an American.
However, it wasn’t just Republicans under scrutiny. Participants, in a room decorated for St. Patrick’s Day, were also critical of their party, questioning the effectiveness of its messaging and expressing anxiety about the impending high-stakes state Supreme Court election.
The upcoming election on April 1st will serve as an early indicator of sentiments in a state crucial for presidential candidates. The outcome will determine the control of the court, which is scheduled to address pressing issues such as abortion rights, public sector unions, voting regulations, and legislative districting.
Sauk County, which includes cities like Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells, has historically voted for the winning presidential candidates, including Trump in the years 2016 and 2024, and Biden in 2020. Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler emphasized the county’s importance, describing it as “the most bellwether county in the most bellwether state.”
The event, labeled as a “People v. Musk” town hall, attracted over 170 attendees equipped with signs reading “Don’t Let Elon Musk Buy Wisconsin” and “Trump is Weak on Musk.” Participants expressed a wide range of emotions, from anger to solidarity, as they spoke into the microphone. One transgender woman pleaded with the audience to remember marginalized communities, to which someone reassuringly responded, “We won’t!”
The town hall was organized to rally support for Susan Crawford, the Democratic candidate running against Brad Schimel, a Republican and former state attorney general. Schimel’s campaign has received over $5 million from groups supported by Musk, framing his election as crucial for advancing Trump’s agenda.
Wikler, leading the meeting, highlighted the gravity of the election, stating, “We are in a fight for democracy itself.” The attendees echoed various sentiments towards the Democratic Party’s strategy and their expectations for the election. Maureen Oostdik, a retired public health worker, criticized the party’s current promotional efforts, stressing that their messaging “isn’t good.”
Laurel Burns, a customer service worker, shared her worries about potential cuts to Medicaid and Social Security, stating that many feel fearful in the current political climate. She hoped this would motivate Democrats to vote.
Tracey Baggot, a massage therapist, expressed her disdain for both Trump and Musk, emphasizing the need for increased Democratic energy. Despite this, she remained optimistic about Crawford’s chances of winning.
Susan Knower, chair of the Sauk County Democratic Party, enthusiastically supported the strategy of associating Schimel with Musk and Trump, noting a recent poll where Democrats viewed Musk unfavorably. Timothy Hinton, a retired doctor, acknowledged the chaos enveloping the country, emphasizing that voter turnout would determine the election’s outcome.
As the April 1st election approaches, the sentiments expressed at the town hall highlight both the tensions and the determination within the Democratic community in Wisconsin. The upcoming vote is not only a test of local sentiment but an indicator of broader political currents in the Midwest.