GOP battles in Waukesha and Wisconsin doesn't have enough monkeypox vaccine

Tensions rippling through the Wisconsin Republican Party take hold in GOP stronghold Waukesha County

• Tensions among Wisconsin Republicans over the direction of the party are taking shape in an area of the state that will remain a key ingredient to victories for conservatives no matter what voters decide. Former President Donald Trump is taking his war against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to a rally in Waukesha County he's hosting for Republican candidate for governor Tim Michels just two days after Trump's estranged vice president Mike Pence held a separate event for Michels' top opponent Rebecca Kleefisch in Pewaukee. The rally comes after Trump took his most aggressive step yet in a one-sided battle the former president has waged for more than a year against Vos, endorsing the Republican leader's little-known primary opponent in retaliation for Vos' refusal to overturn the results of the 2020 election — a posture Pence took on Jan. 6, 2021, which pushed him out of favor with Trump.

• Trump remains the leader of the Republican Party, and his rejection of the state's most prominent and effective GOP lawmaker agitated an already tense week leading up to Wisconsin's Aug. 9 primary, when conservative voters will decide whether to back a candidate for governor who represents Scott Walker-era Republican politics that Vos helped hone or embrace a new wing of the party endorsed by Trump. The former running mates are campaigning in Waukesha County as Kleefisch and Michels are locked in a tight primary race to win the Republican nomination for governor. The winner will challenge Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in the general election.

• Pence and Trump chose an area of Wisconsin that is, historically, important to Republican victories, but the recipe has been put to the test in the era of Trump, who has more support from rural voters than suburban. In GOP primaries for major offices, one contender is typically much stronger in metropolitan Milwaukee than in other parts of Wisconsin, thanks in part to the backing of party leaders, insiders, donors and, sometimes, talk radio. The candidate who dominates the more suburban southeast almost always wins, even when he or she does poorly in other regions of the state.

Demand for monkeypox vaccine outstrips the limited supply of doses available in Wisconsin

• With enough monkeypox vaccine to fully vaccinate only 743 people in Wisconsin, public health organizations are finding demand is quickly outpacing supply in cities across the state.

• The City of Milwaukee Health Department announced it was opening a vaccine clinic Wednesday, warning right out the gate that supply is limited. All initial appointments were filled as of Wednesday, and it was unclear when more would be made available. Milwaukee health officials said they have received 200 doses of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine from the state. The health department is working with clinical and community organizations, including but not limited to sexual health clinics and HIV PrEP providers, to reach out to eligible people and get the word out. “This is a significant step in combating monkeypox in Milwaukee, but unfortunately there is currently not enough vaccine for everyone eligible,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson.

• Public Health Madison and Dane County began offering the vaccine Monday. Its first two weeks of available appointments are already booked, according to a statement released Wednesday morning. The public health department emphasized it would not schedule appointments without sufficient vaccines in stock.

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The Money

MARCUS: Hotel and theater operator Marcus Corp. reported a $9 million quarterly profit and resumed its dividend in a rebound from pandemic losses.

BOATING: A Racine County plant that once made Evinrude outboard boat motors has been repurposed to build a line of pontoon boats with a customizable deck and controls similar to a Sea-Doo personal watercraft.

The Fun Stuff

ARTS FEST: What to know about Black Arts Fest MKE this Saturday, from entertainment and art to tickets and hours.

PUBLIC MARKET: Chef Adam Pawlak to lead more cooking classes at Milwaukee Public Market.

The Games

HADER TRADE: Brewers DFA pitcher Dinelson Lamet after acquiring him in Josh Hader trade.

BREWERS: Wow. After the Brewers trade Josh Hader away, Devin Williams comes in with a 30-appearance scoreless streak and promptly gives up a walk-off home run to Brian Reynolds. Ouch.

NHL: The Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League will play a preseason game at Fiserv Forum on Oct. 2.

Today's Weather

This looks like a nice one: Sunny with a high of 78. Friday will be similar but the weekend looks hot with a chance of Sunday storms.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: GOP battles in Waukesha and Wisconsin is short on monkeypox vaccine