The Impact of the ‘WOW’ Corner of a Swing State on Trump and Biden in the US Election
Private jets are parked at Waukesha airfield, just half an hour from the Republican National Convention hall. A 30-minute drive down Highway 43 lies WOW, which stands for the counties of Washington, Ozaukee, and Waukesha.
This corner of Wisconsin gave us the Les Paul Gibson guitar and supported Donald Trump in the last election, although Joe Biden ultimately won the state by a narrow margin of 20,000 votes. In Wisconsin, rural areas tend to lean Republican, with strong support for Trump in the must-win state.
Rob Schuett, a longtime farmer in Waukesha, expressed that the economy is his top priority when deciding who to vote for. He highlighted the impact of inflation on farmers’ expenditures for equipment like tractors and combines.
Trump appears to be gaining momentum in swing states, crucial for determining the election outcome. Kristin Robran, a ceramic artist in Waukesha, noted how the recent assassination attempt on Trump humanized him and emphasized his resilience.
The assassination attempt did not change artist Donna Krischan’s voting decision, as she described the election as a choice between “a good man versus a not so good man,” with her leaning towards Biden.
Other locals shared similar sentiments, expressing a clear moral compass guiding their voting choice. The swing state of Wisconsin faces the challenge of undecided swing voters and a crucial turnout in the upcoming election.
As the election approaches in November, the focus in WOW and wider Wisconsin may shift from swing voters to the importance of voter turnout in determining the outcome.