With House Speaker Paul Ryan’s strident primary opponent making the rounds on cable news and challenging him to debate, the opening of the local GOP campaign headquarters was an opportunity for Ryan to loosen-up and thank local supporters.
A few dozen Kenosha County Republicans got the chance to meet Ryan and Sen. Ron Johnson — and pick-up some “Never Hillary” bumper stickers Friday afternoon.
“I’m really excited to support Paul and have our opening of our office,” said State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem), a longtime friend of Ryan. “He hasn’t left Wisconsin, he’s still here. His family still makes roots here. He comes back every weekend he can.” Kerkman said she is confident Ryan will overcome challenger Paul Nehlen, a so-called “Trump Republican,” on Tuesday.
“I think the people who have known Paul forever are going to go out and support him,” she said.
During the event, there was little to no mention of Nehlen, who got a publicity boost this week after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump complimented him.
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Low-key eventPeople driving past the “victory center,” 5901 75th St., were likely unaware of Ryan’s presence there. No news trucks, obvious security, protestors or Nehlen supporters were in attendance. The only media allowed access were the Kenosha News and Racine’s Journal Times.
“Everybody knows me really well; I’m from here,” Ryan said. “I’ve done over 600 Town Hall meetings, I’m home every weekend talking to constituents.”
Ryan highlighted Johnson, who is running for re-election. He is expected to face former Sen. Russ Feingold, who Johnson defeated in 2010, although Feingold faces a primary challenge from Scott Harbach of Kenosha.
“We’re gonna fight for Ron Johnson; I believe Ron Johnson’s gonna win,” Ryan said.
However, he also admitted that it will be difficult to turn Wisconsin “red” in the presidential election.
“We have historically, at the top of the ticket had a challenge,” Ryan said. “I was on the ticket in 2012 and we couldn’t do it. So, it’s always a challenge. But it’s clearly something we can achieve.”
For his part, Johnson publicly complimented Ryan’s work ethic and said Kenosha is fortunate to be represented by Ryan.
“Intelligence and ideas and courage,” Johnson said of Ryan. “You are so fortunate to have a person like Paul Ryan representing this district. We as Americans are so fortunate to have him be Speaker of the House. He has come up with a rock-solid agenda that not only can unify our party, but can literally unify this nation — put us on that path to prosperity, safety and security.”
Local supportKenosha County GOP Chairperson Erin Decker said Ryan and Johnson “fired up” the crowd.
“Republicans need to win this fall,” she said. “We need to win so we can move our conservative agenda forward and put the country on the path of fiscal sense.”
Kenosha volunteer Amy Giles-Maurer said she was inspired by Ryan’s “positive” message of limited government and personal responsiblity.
“He’s loved in this area,” she said. “He appeals to both sides because his conservative agenda is not so-much different than peoples’ Wisconsin ideals. They align very well.”
