As the 2026 midterm campaign heats up, Wisconsin voters are seeing a flurry of national figures on the campaign trail. Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris visited the state on Monday to endorse state Senate candidate David Crowley, while Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany continues his bus tour across the Badger State.
Harris backs Crowley, frames the choice as clear
During her stop, Harris told a crowd that Wisconsin “has a very clear choice” and that the choice is David Crowley. “All we have to do is look at their record,” she said, positioning Crowley as the candidate who will protect Wisconsin families and uphold traditional values.
Republican response and Trump’s lingering influence
Rep. Tiffany, who was joined by fellow Republicans Congressman Tony Wied, Senator Ron Johnson and former Governor Scott Walker at a recent event in Bellevue, downplayed the impact of Harris’s visit. He said, “If the President chooses to come here, he’d be welcome, but we don’t worry about the things we can’t control.” Tiffany’s remarks reflect a broader strategy of focusing on local issues rather than national personalities.
Marquette Law School poll director Charles Franklin noted that bringing a national figure late in the cycle is a tactic Democrats often use, but he also warned that President Trump’s presence could have an unexpected effect on the race. “President Trump is still quite popular with MAGA Republican voters,” Franklin said. “The trouble is that President Trump is also a strong motivator for Democrats to turn out because they are so negative towards him. There’s an asymmetry here that Harris is probably good for Democratic turnout without stimulating a lot of Republican voters, but Trump stimulates both the MAGA base and Democratic opponents.”
Poll numbers show Trump still a rallying point
Franklin cited the latest Marquette Law School poll, which gave President Trump a 38% approval rating among Wisconsin voters. While that figure trails the President’s national numbers, it remains a solid base that can drive Republican turnout in key swing counties.
Franklin added that the asymmetrical effect of Trump’s popularity means his supporters are likely to turn out in force, while Democratic voters may also be motivated to vote against him. This dynamic could make the upcoming elections especially competitive in Wisconsin’s battleground districts.
What’s next for the campaign?
As of Monday evening, neither President Trump nor Vice President Vance have any scheduled appearances in Wisconsin. Both are expected to make stops in neighboring Midwestern states, including Iowa, Michigan and Ohio, in the coming week. Their absence from the state does not diminish the impact of their supporters’ enthusiasm, which continues to be a driving force for the Republican ticket.
David Crowley’s campaign has not announced any additional national guests, but the race remains tight as both parties intensify their ground operations. Local volunteers are organizing bus tours, door‑to‑door canvassing, and phone banks to ensure high turnout on Election Day.
Wisconsin voters should expect more high‑profile visits in the weeks ahead as both parties vie for the decisive November vote. The interplay between national personalities and local candidates underscores the importance of every vote in this pivotal swing state.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
