One thing not up for debate in Milwaukee: Joe Biden won Wisconsin in 2020

We are proud Wisconsin Republicans. We know how purple our state is and that the eyes of the nation will be watching us. We know that the 2024 election will be the most contentious and expensive in the history of our state.

We know that the votes of our neighbors could very well decide the future course of America as our nation approaches her 250th birthday.

While much has been discussed about the Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee on August 23, one fact should not be up for debate. The winner of Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes in 2020 was President Joe Biden.

Destructive allegations took root in the days and weeks following November 3, 2020. These persisted for months and, in some corners of our state, they persist to this day.

Individuals have called into question the professionalism of clerks and poll workers across our state’s 72 counties. These clerks and poll workers are our neighbors and our fellow congregants. They are mothers and fathers. They are patriots committed to upholding the essence of our democracy envisioned by our Founding Fathers.

Large numbers of Wisconsinites questioned the accuracy of the election and allegations of widespread voter fraud have engulfed weekly conversations.

Concerns were raised about widespread use of vote by mail, vote dumps at central count facilities in the middle of the night and the software used by electronic voting machines.

As Republican leaders from different corners of our state, we have sought to educate ourselves on how our votes are canvassed and certified in the period after polls close on Election Day. More importantly, we have committed to educate our communities each month between now and next November.

As Republicans we believe in the rule of law. An independent judiciary was also envisioned by our Founding Fathers. Since November 2020, our courts have been awash in election related litigation.

While we are not attorneys, we have meticulously studied the claims made in these cases and decisions made by judges. We are taking it upon ourselves to educate our communities about the role of the courts in challenging the electoral process.

Some have alleged that more votes were cast than registered voters in Wisconsin. This is not accurate. What is a fact is that 2020 turnout statewide was 72.3%. In 2004 and in 2012, turnout also exceeded 70%. Our hope is that high voter turnout continues for all elections held in Wisconsin. This is healthy for our democracy.

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With the eyes of the nation on Milwaukee at the debate and again at the national Republican party convention, we hope that all individuals seeking public office can acknowledge these facts. We hope to be a resource to anyone seeking to learn the facts of how Wisconsin administers its elections. We hope that our national dialogue - driven by the candidates who will visit our state - will focus on the future direction of our nation rather than relitigate November 2020.

As we approach our nation’s 250th birthday, we are reminded of the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin. He wisely stated, “a republic if ‘you’ can keep it.” We hope all Republicans and Democrats will always be committed to uphold and protect our democratic Republic.

Former Congressman Reid Ribble from Appleton served from 2011 to 2017. State Senator Kathy Bernier from Chippewa served in the legislature from 2011 to 2023. Both defeated incumbent Democrats. They are members of Keep Our Republic, a non-partisan civic education non-profit.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Two Republicans refute false claims Donald Trump won Wisconsin in 2020