Sure, Wisconsin started Democratic (with obscure-sounding “Whig” and “Free-Soiler” influences as well). But it soon became known as the original “Home of the Republican Party.” The city of Ripon opened “The Little White Schoolhouse” in 1854, where the GOP first gathered. (WI’s special Swing-State nature started early on).

The Party was fiercely abolitionist. But it soon proved to be too strong in other areas, like lumber, mining and rail. Historians have noted that the 1840s Republicans created a “machine,” which could easily rival the Democratic one in Illinois today.

This monopolization lead to a very famous chapter in this Swing-State’s history, with the emergence of “The Progressive Party”– and its legendary leader, “Fighting Bob La Follette.”

This once staunch Republican fought against monopolistic practices, and established “The Wisconsin Idea”–– an idea that melded the immense brain-power of the University with the Capital up the road.

Both Supreme Court Justice, Louis Brandeis, and Theodore Roosevelt referred to WI as “The Laboratory of Democracy,” for its creative experimentation and innovative ideas.

The latter suffered a bullet to the chest, when a crazed gunman shot him at a speaking event in Milwaukee. (The Progressive Party had nominated TR for President in 1912). The only things saving Teddy’s life, were his thick, pocketed speech and metal eye-glass case.

WI’s Fascinating Swing-State Past

Few may know this, but a Socialist mayor ran Milwaukee at the time of the attempted assassination. In fact, 3 consecutive, Socialist mayors ran Milwaukee– a unique fact boasted by no other city.

Frank Zeidler, the last of these mayors, oversaw the city from 1948-1960, and failed in a later campaign for Governor. In 1976, he ran for President under “The Socialist Party of America.” His loss predated Bernie Sanders’ Presidential run by many years.

At the same time of Zeidler’s zenith, a very famous, anti-Communist WI Senator named Joseph McCarthy was presenting his case against Hollywood actors, producers, et. al. This demonstrated, once more, the bi-polar nature of this Swing-State’s voting populace. Here’s some interesting footage:

As I mentioned earlier, I used to assume WI was a Blue state growing up, but I didn’t fully know my state’s intriguing history.

Senator William Proxmire set a record for the longest, consecutive voting record in Congress. But he was most famous for his annual “Golden Fleece Award,” which he sometimes showcased on the Johnny Carson Show. The friendly Proxmire once shook my hand, as I entered Camp Randall to see a Badger football game. I must have been 15.

Another Democrat giant, Governor Gaylord Nelson, founded the now beloved “Earth Day” — a day celebrated every April 22nd. Most politicians I remember early on were to the Left of center, but again, I didn’t see the whole picture. Like many young people, my grasp of the past wasn’t all it should have been. I guess my mind was on things like “MadTown” (as we called our capital), and all the associated excitement.

A Few Fun Facts:

• Wisconsin voted for 31 Republican Governors (many early in its history)
• Again, Ripon established the Republican Party in 1854.
• WI elected 13 Democratic Govs (including the current one, Tony Evers)
• It elected 1 Whig and 2 Progressive Govs (Bob La Follette and his son)
• It voted 25 times for a Republican President, 17 times for a Democrat
• WI voted for a Progressive Candidate ( Bob La Follette) once in 1924
• WI had some recent, razor-close elections, like Gore v. Bush in 2000
• Prior to Donald Trump, WI last went Red in 1984 (with Ronald Reagan)

Just a Snapshot of Wisconsin’s Past

Hopefully this brief, personal overview gives you a better idea of the bipolar, Swing-State nature of Wisconsin. It is, by no means, a complete record of the state’s rich history and numerous, memorable leaders.

Remember, my state elected LaFollette, McCarthy and Zeidler in the somewhat distant past. But it also later put Liberal Russ Feingold and Republican Tommy Thompson (the longest serving Governor) into office simultaneously.

It elected the first openly gay Senator in Tammy Baldwin, the same time it elected one of the most Conservative ones in Ron Johnson. Both have been in Congress for over 10 years.

Ron Johnson, Governor Scott Walker and Paul Ryan were part of a huge Red Wave in one of the state’s most recent chapters. The latter even became Speaker of the House under Donald Trump. Since then, WI has elected a Liberal Governor and 2 Supreme Court Justices (one Conservative, one Liberal).

Wrap Up

In short, why should anyone care about the history of Wisconsin? Well, as at least one Senatorial candidate has put it, “As Wisconsin goes, so goes the nation!” America’s Dairyland is one of several very important Swing-States, which have determined the outcome of recent, contentious elections.

In 2020, the DNC chose Milwaukee to host its Convention, but Covid closed the Fiserv Forum before that could happen. Next election, the GOP plans on hosting their Convention in the same city, at the same center.

With another possible rematch between Trump & Biden in 2024, all eyes will, once again, be on the Dairy State! Next election, it could prove to be the most vital Swing-State of all!!!

To see some details you may have missed in the last couple elections, please click on the link below. Here you can view my rare, historical documentation called “The Swing State Series.”

The 2nd Part in the Series recently won the “Peoples Choice Award” in my beloved state of Wisconsin! And it showed, yet again, the “Swingy” nature of this beautiful place that many of us call home. Thank you and please visit America’s Dairyland soon!

Bryan Oldenburg is a Filmmaker and Digital Marketer in Beloit, Wisconsin

The post Wisconsin: Always a Swing-State? first appeared on Swing State, The Series.