Donald Trump in Milwaukee in August; decision on absentee drop boxes; Milwaukee suburbs and GOP primary

Donald Trump in Milwaukee in August

Former President Donald Trump has announced at least one trip to Wisconsin.

He's set to appear in Milwaukee on Aug. 20 for a roadshow called the "American Freedom Tour."

Others on the bill include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. and conservative election conspiracy theorist Dinesh D'Souza.

Molly Beck writes that "the cost to attend ranges from $195 to purchase a wristband to more than $3,995 to have close access to Trump, according to the event website. The prices could increase after July 15, according to organizers."

No word yet if Trump might also make a visit ahead of the Aug. 9 primary. Trump has endorsed businessman Tim Michels.

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The latest on Tim Michels

A few stories on GOP governor contender Tim Michels, who is coming off a really good week.

Kevin Nicholson dropped out of the governor's race last week. The two candidates appeared to be occupying the same lane. And ex-Gov. Tommy Thompson also gave Michels his endorsement.

So ...

That brings us to a recent Daniel Bice column that focuses on the issue of immigration and Michels' tenure in 2007-08 as board president of Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, the lobbying organization for road builders in the state.

Bice writes:

"During that legislative session, the organization's team of lobbyists opposed an Assembly bill that would have prevented companies that employ 'illegal aliens' from getting government contracts, tax exemptions and loans. The bill died in committee.

"Michels, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, now is running multiple ads laying out his opposition to illegal immigration. He refers to undocumented workers as 'illegals' in one ad."

Michels' team denies the candidate has flip-flopped on the issue.

In another piece, Sophia Voight and Molly Beck write that Michels now says he is "not against contraception" during a campaign stop in Green Bay.

"I am against abortion, I am not against contraception," Michels said in an interview when asked whether he would sign a bill as governor banning Plan B.

And finally, Katelyn Ferral with a piece on how Michels says he supports Wisconsin's right-to-work law despite his company's past opposition.

Decision on absentee drop boxes

The big legal news of the last week: The state Supreme Court put the kibosh on unstaffed absentee ballot drop boxes for the fall election.

The 4-3 majority opinion by Justice Rebecca Bradley said state law does not permit drop boxes anywhere other than election clerk offices and only state lawmakers may make new policy stating otherwise.

Molly Beck reports that the 114-page ruling quotes William Shakespeare and hip-hop artist Kanye West to make the case that the state elections commission overstepped its bounds.

Bradley also suggests the ruling will prevent Wisconsin elections from becoming the rigged contests found in totalitarian regimes like Iraq, Cuba, Syria and North Korea.

The drop boxes — widely used during the pandemic — were heavily criticized by former President Donald Trump, who alleged with no evidence that absentee voting was rife with fraud and led to his reelection loss in 2020.

Alison Dirr reports on the reaction in Milwaukee, which included a blistering critique of Bradley's decision.

"An audit and recounts have proven that there is no doubt on the results of the 2020 election ... nor do I think that our 2020 election was comparable to any authoritarian regimes that were referenced," Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Claire Woodall-Vogg said.

Milwaukee suburbs and GOP primary

Craig Gilbert has a fascinating piece on how Wisconsin's Republican primary for governor will test the dominance of the Milwaukee suburbs.

In modern history, the tried-and-true path to victory runs through the suburbs that includes Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties.

Gilbert writes: "Does this general pattern still apply in the Trump Era, as the party’s traditional establishment wanes and the GOP base becomes less suburban and more rural?"

You can find the answers right here.

Democratic U.S. Senate race

Sunday at 6 p.m. five Democrats will gather for their first televised debate. WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) will be handling the broadcast.

The main runners will be there: Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson.

Nonprofit executive Steven Olikara, who barely registers in the polls, also got a place on the debate stage by meeting a donation metric.

In a campaign forum last week, Nelson jabbed Lasry on his wealth and New York roots.

Around the horn

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers raised $10.1 million for his re-election in the first six months of the year.

Dawn Crim is leaving the Evers administration in the midst of delays in processing licenses for nurses and other professions.

A look at the race for Wisconsin Secretary of State.

Ron Johnson's effort to pass false electors to Pence not a priority of Jan. 6 committee, chairman says.

Tweet of the week

This one comes from attorney George Conway: "Gosh, it sure looks like the former guy intended to and did foment violence on January 6, 2021."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Donald Trump in Milwaukee in August; absentee drop box decision