Staff Reports
The long-running saga for who will take the reins in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District took an unexpected turn when Alex Bruesewitz decided to throw in the towel, leaving many of his supporters with a bitter taste in their mouths. The drama began to unfold when Rep. Mike Gallagher, a beloved GOP member, voted against impeaching Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas, a move that left many conservatives feeling like they’d been betrayed by their own. With Gallagher announcing his retirement shortly after, the stage was set for Bruesewitz to swoop in and save the day.
Here's Who Trump Is Endorsing to Replace Mike Gallagher https://t.co/qSB6l5KqSN
— Marlon East Of The Pecos (@Darksideleader2) April 8, 2024
The path seemed clear-cut for Bruesewitz, as a recent Cygnal poll showed him trouncing his primary competitors. However, just when everyone was preparing for a triumphant victory, Bruesewitz tore the rug out from under his supporters by deciding not to run. It was a gut punch for many, but the disappointment turned to excitement when it was revealed that Bruesewitz and former President Donald Trump were throwing their weight behind Tony Wied, the former proprietor of Dino Stop, a gas station chain with a prehistoric twist.
Wied’s sudden entry into the political arena left mouths agape, but with the backing of Bruesewitz and Trump, he quickly became a force to be reckoned with. Trump’s resounding endorsement of Wied fired up the conservative base, leaving other candidates like former State Sen. Roger Roth and State Sen. André Jacque in the dust. In fact, Trump didn’t mince words, declaring Roth as a “clone” of former House Speaker Paul Ryan and urging him to drop out of the race like a hot potato.
Despite Bruesewitz’s sudden withdrawal, the Cygnal poll still handed a hefty advantage to Wied, due in no small part to the overwhelming desire for a political outsider over a career politician among the respondents. With the primary not happening until August 13, the Republican nominee is practically guaranteed a victory, given the district’s solidly red history. After all, Gallagher managed to scoop up a whopping 72.2 percent of the vote in 2022 without even breaking a sweat.
As the battle for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District heats up, the stage is set for a right-leaning victory, with the Bruesewitz-Wied-Trump trifecta poised to take the GOP by storm. It’s a wild ride, but hey, when has politics ever been boring?
