Two-term incumbent Republican US Senator Ron Johnson held a rally on Sunday, Nov. 6, attracting a crowd of approximately 100 supporters to a parking lot in Middleton. The stop was one of sixty on Johnson’s statewide bus tour, which his campaign calls “Ron on The Road.”
Johnson campaigned with other Republican candidates and elected officials. Johnson was accompanied by US Congressman Bryan Steil of Janesville. Johnson was also accompanied by Repub- lican candidates for Wisconsin attorney general, state treasurer, and secretary of state.
The rally was held two days before Johnson faced re-election against Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes. Most pollsters agreed Johnson and Barnes were in a statistical tie heading into election day. On Nov. 2, a poll by the Marquette Law School showed Johnson at 50% and Barnes at 48% with a margin of error at 3%; a majority of major news outlets agree both the Wisconsin Senate and Governor remained a toss-up up until election day.
Johnson and other Republicans spoke about the need to elect more Republicans state-wide, touting their accomp-
lishments and bashing Democratic candidates. Congressman Steil has been traveling state-wide with Senator Johnson, making the case to voters why Wisconsin must elect Senator Johnson and businessman Tim Michels, who was running against incumbent Governor Tony Evers.
Johnson spoke to supporters about the importance of this election, encouraging them to continue working and getting out to vote.
“This election is about freedom, it’s a fight for freedom […] this is our fight, and it is a fight we absolutely must win,” Johnson said at a campaign stop earlier in the week in Watertown, according to a transcript.
Johnson pleaded with voters to continue the fight, and encouraged them to talk to friends and family about voting and the importance of November’s election.
Johnson supporters at the rally felt a sense of optimism heading into Tuesday’s election, Diane Kubsh, a teacher at a private school in the Madison area, was out in Middleton in support for Johnson.
“I’m nervously optimistic, cautiously
optimistic, but I’m excited.” Kubsh said.
Kubsh explained why she was out supporting Senator Johnson, and her priorities ahead of election day.
“My biggest priority is education. Seeing the Madison area schools shut down, and my children staying at home, dying on the vine […] was really discouraging. Education is really important to me, but [so is] the economy. Holy cow, my dollar doesn’t buy anything anymore,” Kubsch says.
On Tuesday, Nov. 8., Senator Johnson was re-elected to a third term, beating Democrat chall- enger Barnes by roughly 30,000 votes. Governor Tony Evers was also re-elected by roughly 90,000 votes.