Governor Walker Announces Re-election Bid
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker formally announced his re-election campaign on Sunday. What are his prospects for victory? What are his strengths and vulnerabilities and who is his likely opponent? We chat about it over a pot of coffee and a couple of barking dogs in a weekend Edge Messaging chat.
Campaigns and Elections,Fraley,Podcast
Calculated Hit on Paul Ryan or Misstep by Kevin Nicholson?
Interesting article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this morning accompanied by a tape recording of Republican US Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson seemingly agreeing with two unidentified men at a campaign event that Paul Ryan has a “light footprint in the state” and that Ryan’s lukewarm endorsement of President Trump “is a problem.” I can’t help but wonder if this is the influence of Steve Bannon in Nicholson’s campaign or just Nicholson’s inability to disagree with someone he wants to vote for him.
Lisa Manna and I talk about it in this short podcast.
The Wheelercast: Episode #20
Gwyn talks with Rep. Adam Neylon about his committee’s efforts regarding noncompete contracts. She also takes a look at upcoming school spending referenda, the Capitol gala and more on the latest episode of The Wheelercast.
Talking Politics on Milwaukee’s WTMJ Radio
You may have heard 620 WTMJ in Milwaukee recently did some shuffling of its line up, moving Steve Scaffidi to late mornings, a time period Jeff Wagner took over after the departure of Charlie Sykes. Wagner is now back in his old early afternoon slot. Scaffidi invited me on this morning to go through a rundown of all things politics, both state and national. You can hear the whole segment here.
You can read more about the line up changes at 620 here.
The Wheelercast: Episode #19
Gwyn is in Iowa, and no, she is not being held by terrorists. However, in this week’s episode we do discuss the state of legislative relations, as well as a new Catfishing bill. We also look at the productivity stats for this legislative session so far.
Campaigns and Elections,Fraley
Bannon Super PAC Endorses Nicholson for Senate
Ousted White House Strategist Steve Bannon’s super PAC announced it’s supporting Kevin Nicholson, a Delafield businessman and former Democrat over Republican State Senator Leah Vukmir. The Wisconsin State Journal called me looking for analysis of what this means to the US Senate race in Wisconsin.
Fraley, who has opposed Trump, said he’s skeptical Bannon and his allies will have much sway in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race. Attacks like those published by Breitbart “are more about raising money from national donors than about impacting what happens on the ground in Wisconsin,” Fraley said.
“These nationally driven narratives just don’t play at the grassroots level,” Fraley said.
Read the rest of the article on The Wisconsin State Journal website here.
Campaigns and Elections,Dailytakes On Air
Governor Walker has a New Video
Scott Walker released a new campaign video this week, officially kicking off his re-election bid. Theo Keith of Fox 6 visited the new Edge Messaging offices in Brookfield to get my take.
“The best thing Scott Walker has going for him isn’t the Wisconsin economy, it’s the Wisconsin Democratic Party,” said Fraley.
Fraley says the big unknown is the mood of voters a year from now, and whether they take out their frustrations on Republicans like Walker.
Watch the entire story here.
The Wheelercast: Episode #18
Hemp is not marijuana, but what is it and is it legal? What are Sparsity aids and who wants them? Gwyn explains the answers to these and other questions in the latest episode of The Wheelercast.
The Wheelercast: Episode #17
Gwyn and Brian examine some emerging legal strategies local and state governments are using in the fight against opioid addiction. We also mark the passing of State Representative Bob Gannon.
The Wheelercast: Episode #16
A new DNR secretary faces not only confirmation hearings, but a full plate of issues and pending legislative initiatives that could impact his agency. Gwyn and Brian discuss this, the fall session and the obnoxious new Blue Books on this episode of The Wheelercast.
