2024 election: Obama for Harris, Republicans for Trump in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - Former President Barack Obama returned to Milwaukee on Sunday, Nov. 3, to campaign for the Harris-Walz ticket, and a trio of Republicans rallied support for Trump-Vance ticket later the same day.

Former President Obama in Milwaukee

Obama spoke at 2 p.m. at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee. Other prominent Democrats, including Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, spoke beforehand.

"He wants to give another massive tax cut to billionaires and big corporations," Obama said. "Now, some people might hear that and say to themselves, 'I remember the economy being pretty good when he first came into office.' It was, because it was my economy."

The message resonated with voters in attendance, like Melissa Sanchez Perez, who said she's now inspired to get more people to vote.

Before a crowd of more than 5,000 people, according to the Harris campaign, Obama focused some of his speech on the voters who haven't yet cast their ballots.

"I've always said, I respect those who, for religious or ethical reasons, will not consider terminating their own pregnancy," he said. "But if nothing else, freedom must truly mean that women themselves get to make these profound, intimate decisions, not politicians."

"If we don't, we're not gonna have a great place to live anymore," she said.

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While Myesha Johnson insisted on bringing her daughter Lauryn to see the former president speak.

"She is the newer generation that's coming up, and she needs to know what her rights are," Johnson said. "And at the end of the day, what's at stake."

Team Trump event

Tulsi Gabbard, Danica Patrick and Sage Steele held a rally at The Factory on Barclay at 6 p.m. in support of Donald Trump.

People lined up two hours early in Walker's Point for the event. Wisconsin voters, even the ones who already voted, say the conversation was energizing. 

"I thought it was very inspiring," said Kevin Wisniewski of Milwaukee. "The fact that they were trying to get people energized to come out of the darkness and express your opinions was very uplifting and very energizing."

Their message to Republicans was don't be afraid to speak up. 

Patrick said she is a first-time voter.

"I don’t think this is a Democrat versus Republican race because if it was the red, white and blue and the American flag and having pride in this country would be universal, but it’s not," she said.

Gabbard also discussed political divisiveness. 

"I encourage you – to be that person who is standing proudly in love knowing we the people must take action to save our country," Gabbard said. "Let’s make it happen."

"I feel like people are waking up realizing okay this didn’t work the past four years," said Paige Cuomo of Milwaukee.

Additionally, FOX6 News confirmed JD Vance will be in La Crosse on Monday, Nov. 4. The Harris campaign said Walz will be in La Crosse, Steven's Point and Milwaukee on Monday.

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Battleground Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a critical battleground state in the 2024 presidential election.

Trump has pulled closer to Harris in the latest Marquette University Law School poll of Wisconsin, released on Wednesday.

Harris (50%) leads Trump (49%) among likely voters in a head-to-head matchup. The results included initially undecided voters who were then asked whom they would vote for if they had to choose. When keeping initially undecided voters as a separate category, Harris holds 48% of likely voters, Trump gets 47%, and 5% are undecided.

In Wisconsin, 1.3 million people have already voted. Four of the past six presidential elections in the state have been decided by less than a point, with 20,000 votes separating the winner from the loser in both 2016 and 2020. In 2000, Al Gore edged George W. Bush in the state by just 5,700 votes.

2024 Election: Wisconsin Voting Guide, what you need to know

Official statements

WisGOP Chairman Brian Schimming

"From skyrocketing rent to the cost of groceries, the city of Milwaukee knows all too well why this is a make-or-break election for working families. For four years, Kamala Harris stubbornly defended Bidenomics while everyday Americans struggled to stay afloat amid record inflation. To this day, she has zero regrets for the Biden-Harris administration’s mismanagement of the economy. No last-minute appearance by former President Obama can erase the devastating impact of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden on the livelihoods of Milwaukeeans."