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Join Telegram ChannelSenator Tammy Baldwin, Democrat of Wisconsin, was successfully re-elected in Wisconsin, while President-elect Donald Trump simultaneously returned the state to red in the presidential election.
As for how she got there, the Democrat attributes much of her victory to her “72-county strategy.” Baldwin made sure during his campaign to travel the entire state, venturing far from the two big blue enclaves of Milwaukee and Dane counties.
“I think showing up matters, listening matters,” she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “And so I go out there and really listen and get to know the challenges and aspirations of people all over the state, in rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas.”
Baldwin won by a few tens of thousands of votes in the state, winning by roughly the same margin as Trump.
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Senator Baldwin was re-elected in Wisconsin, the state also electing Donald Trump. (Reuters/File)
According to her campaign, she has hosted more than 250 events in Wisconsin in 2024 alone. She has also hosted several focused tours during her campaign, including her Dairyland Tour and her Rural Leaders for Tammy Tour.
Additionally, Baldwin's campaign micro-targeted rural communities to provide content regarding his agricultural work.
But her rigorous journey wasn't the only thing that sealed the deal for her. The senator recognized that people can go anywhere, but they also need to effectively engage voters in every place they go.
One thing she pointed out is that she “has had years to earn the trust of Wisconsin voters,” referring to the few months that Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign had voters in the 'State.
Baldwin also said she is hosting roundtables and forums on relevant issues during her Wisconsin trip.
“So I've done that, for example, on the fentanyl and opioid epidemic, bringing together first responders, public health officials and concerned community members to discuss what the epidemic looks like. epidemic in this community, in this region of the state? resources you need? What are your biggest concerns? »
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A woman wears a Cheesehead hat with the American flag in Wisconsin. (Reuters/File)
She also organized events focused on agricultural issues, she noted.
Baldwin notably attributes his re-election, in part, to his work on agricultural issues. In early October, Baldwin won the endorsement of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation board of directors, which was a significant achievement for a Democrat in a statewide election.
“They cited a number of different measures that I have championed or actually signed into law,” she said.
The senator highlighted her Dairy Innovation Act, which provides small grants to various dairy producers and processors.
“I went to a particular farm last spring that had received one of these grants, and they had also invited several other farmers and processors who had received grants to show me what they could do with these grants to help develop their business. and improve their financial results,” she said.
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Dairy products are a major agricultural industry in Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Charlie Litchfield/File)
The Wisconsin Democrat also highlighted the importance of the manufacturing sector in her state and credited her push for “buy American” rules in legislation as helping her win over some of those voters.
As for whether her campaign is a model for other Democrats, particularly those in key states, she said, “I think it's something that would be helpful to a lot of public officials.”
Baldwin added that she realized the need to travel across Wisconsin to this extent during her first Senate campaign: “I had been in the House of Representatives representing, as you know, seven counties in the country. [the] south-central part of the state. I had to learn about Wisconsin while I was running. »
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Baldwin touted his strategy to 72 countries. (Reuters/File)
“And so traveling to do that apprenticeship was extremely important, being exposed to, you know, the timber industry and the northern forests. We didn't have a large timber industry in the south-central part of the state .”
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The Midwest senator also said this is the first time she's heard from Wisconsin residents that elected officials haven't spent much time in certain parts of the state.
“One thing I will say and hear from voters when I run is, 'I can't remember the last time a United States senator visited our community, especially not a Democrat,'” she said.
“It's like, you know, people in the lumber industry are saying, 'I don't think a senator has ever paid this much attention to us,'” she added.