Republicans open Milwaukee office on Democrats’ turf
The Republican Party of Wisconsin is aiming to reach voters in the heart of Milwaukee.
On Thursday night, the state party made its first move to play on what has traditionally been Democratic Party turf, opening a campaign office on the city’s north side.
The office at 2242 N. King Drive will be used for outreach to African American and Latino voters, two key blocs that Republicans are trying to tap into as they work to reelect President Donald Trump.
“We have to meet people where they are,” said Andrew Hitt, who chairs the Republican Party of Wisconsin. “And if we don’t come here, if we don’t become part of this community, we have no chance of connecting with voters and talking about the things we believe in and have accomplished.”
Other Republican campaigns have had offices in the city in the past, Hitt said, but this is the first time the state party has opened an office here.
Hitt admitted the party has a lot of work to do on gaining support in minority communities in Milwaukee.
“We’re sort of starting at the bottom,” he said. “There’s a lot of room to grow.”
“The Republican Party of Wisconsin will seek every vote by every voter in this state,” said Gerard Randall, who chairs the party’s African American Council.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said the party was “showing up in a very genuine and sincere effort” to win support.
“Yes, we want everybody’s vote,” Johnson told an audience that showed up for the opening. “But we primarily want people to succeed.”
Republicans face a steep climb. Just examine the 2016 presidential election results from the ward where the GOP has located its office. In the ward, with a population that is 90% African American, just 20 people voted for Trump, compared with 529 for Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Hitt said Republicans have a story to tell, pointing to criminal justice reform, opportunity zones and low unemployment.
“We’re going to capture some votes here and we’re going to make people think twice,” he said. “It’s about a choice.”
Philip Shulman, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, was critical of the GOP effort.
“On top of building his candidacy around the false conspiracy theory that our first Black president wasn’t a U.S. citizen and scapegoating people of color at every turn, Donald Trump has broken his promises to lower prescription drug and health care costs, raise wages, or pass meaningful common-sense gun safety reform,” he said in a statement.
Shulman added: “Milwaukee voters aren’t going to be fooled by the antics of Trump or Wisconsin Republicans after years of their bullying and disregard for this community. If they want to light a pile of money on fire by foolishly trying to trick Milwaukee area voters, that’s their decision.”