In Wisconsin’s last bellwether county, Trump wins on populist, anti-establishment appeal
MOLLY REINMANN
Updated
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Sauk County has voted for the winner in the last five presidential elections, but by shrinking margins. In Baraboo, the bellwether county's largest municipality, two neighbors have decorated their yards with signs supporting candidates for opposite parties.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The Baraboo Shop advertises "Be Kind" signs for sale. The shop's owner Brett Klawitter said interest in the signs shot up in the days leading up to the election.
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
In downtown Baraboo, a mural recognizes the contributions of area residents, past and present. That image of unity is being tested this election year.
BARABOO — Since last week’s election, most of the political signs in Sauk County have come down. But one slogan can still be found on signs throughout this purple county, nestled withing a purple state.
After a divisive election, voters in Baraboo are gravitating toward the healing message of "Be kind" signs, which have become ubiquitous in Sauk County. The narrowly divided county has now backed the winner in the last five presidential elections.
The cast metal elephant in the foreground is a reference to Baraboo's circus history, but it's also an apt avatar for Kurt Hanusa, a longtime Republican voter and backer of President-elect Donald Trump. “I really think a lot of people here are driven by a rebellious attitude," he said.
The Greenfield Town Hall along Highway W near Baraboo. On Election Day, Susan Knower, chair of the Sauk County Democratic Party, said she registered close to 50 young men to vote here.
Susan Knower, chair of the Sauk County Democrats, right, with and vice chair Elise Patton at the party’s Baraboo headquarters. "I don’t think we did a good enough job showing people here that we are moderate,” said Knower, who faulted the national party and President Joe Biden for not pushing back more forcefully against Republican claims that Vice President Kamala Harris represented extremist views.
Brett Klawitter, owner of The Baraboo Shop, said these "Be kind" signs have been flying out of the store since shortly before the election. The signs are part of a local initiative promoting empathy and to raise money for mental health services.
“Mass deportation would have a dynamic, negative economic impact, to the point where it would destroy the food cycle in our country," said one…
Sauk County has voted for the winner in the last five presidential elections, but by shrinking margins. In Baraboo, the bellwether county's largest municipality, two neighbors have decorated their yards with signs supporting candidates for opposite parties.
Susan Knower, chair of the Sauk County Democrats, right, with and vice chair Elise Patton at the party’s Baraboo headquarters. "I don’t think we did a good enough job showing people here that we are moderate,” said Knower, who faulted the national party and President Joe Biden for not pushing back more forcefully against Republican claims that Vice President Kamala Harris represented extremist views.
The cast metal elephant in the foreground is a reference to Baraboo's circus history, but it's also an apt avatar for Kurt Hanusa, a longtime Republican voter and backer of President-elect Donald Trump. “I really think a lot of people here are driven by a rebellious attitude," he said.
The Baraboo Shop advertises "Be Kind" signs for sale. The shop's owner Brett Klawitter said interest in the signs shot up in the days leading up to the election.
The Greenfield Town Hall along Highway W near Baraboo. On Election Day, Susan Knower, chair of the Sauk County Democratic Party, said she registered close to 50 young men to vote here.
After a divisive election, voters in Baraboo are gravitating toward the healing message of "Be kind" signs, which have become ubiquitous in Sauk County. The narrowly divided county has now backed the winner in the last five presidential elections.
Brett Klawitter, owner of The Baraboo Shop, said these "Be kind" signs have been flying out of the store since shortly before the election. The signs are part of a local initiative promoting empathy and to raise money for mental health services.
