EAU CLAIRE, Wis — Kamala Harris and Tim Walz held their first joint Midwest campaign event Wednesday in Wisconsin, whose ten electoral voters are a must-win for Democrats this November.
So The Post spoke to rally-goers there to find out why they’re turning out for the newly-minted Democrat ticket.
What’s moving Wisconsin Democratic voters this cycle?
The answers are: fear of Project 2025 policies, protecting abortion access, and a desire for bipartisanship, The Post learned.
Dave Jacoby, a 65-year-old from Trego, told The Post he’s supporting Harris-Walz for what he sees as common sense policies and civil politics.
“I think their policies make a lot of sense. We’re tired of the hate that’s been sown by the Republican Party. And we’re here for common sense.”
Born and raised in Minnesota before settling in Wisconsin, Jacoby said he’s been following Walz’ career for quite some time — and he’s impressed.
“The country’s going to fall in love with Tim Walz. He’s a hunter like I am. And I’ll say, ‘Gun owners for Harris. Hunters for Harris/Walz. White guys for Harris.’ We’re not all Republicans out here but we’re really concerned about a lot of issues,” he said.
Jacoby also said he’s concerned about Project 2025, a laundry list of policy proposals from the conservative Heritage Foundation, which President Trump has rejected.
“That Project 2025 is horrible. It doesn’t work for anybody but a small minority of billionaires who want to control our politics… The rich and corporations need to pay their fair share and get over it,” he said.
Ellen Lipinski, 75, of Thorpe is also concerned about Project 2025 — and democracy.
“I just really want democracy to survive and I’ve been reading about Project 2025 since January and it makes me sick,” Lipinski told The Post.
“I just want our country to become unified and not have people who are bullies, and can be good examples for our children. And I want common sense. And I think Walz and Harris can bring common sense and bipartisanship back.”
Madison native Cheryl Duerst, 68, told The Post she’s excited to head to the polls this November to vote in favor of policies benefiting women.
“I really am very sensitive about women’s issues. I feel like there’s an attempt to diminish our rights and curb our influence in the government. And that’s one of the things that I really am focusing on,” Duerst said.
20-year-old Elaina Plonis is a Michigan native attending college in Eau Claire. She told The Post that she was looking forward to seeing Washington, DC affect real change.
“I think the last couple of presidencies, just in general, there hasn’t been that much changed,” added Plonis, a Michigan native. “Some not so great things have been happening, in terms of policy change and overturning Roe v. Wade, so I really hope we’ll see some real changes moving forward.”
Polling released by Marquette University Wednesday shows a virtually tied race in Wisconsin, where 50% of registered voters back former President Trump and 49% support Harris in a head-to-head race. Among likely voters, those numbers flip, with 50% backing Harris compared to 49% for Trump.
