Wisconsin GOP chair Brian Schimming reflects on midterm losses and looks ahead to 2028
MADISON (CBS 58) — Republicans lost control of the state Capitol and two congressional seats during the midterm elections. Now, Wisconsin Republican Party Chair Brian Schimming is reflecting on the losses and looking ahead to the party's future.
So, how do Republicans move forward after a major defeat? Schimming believes history is on their side.
“It would be an unbelievable anomaly to have two cycles anywhere close to this if you look historically,” Schimming said.
Republicans across the country faced losses, but Schimming says Wisconsin performed better than many other states that were targeted during the election.
“Wisconsin actually performed better than most of the other targeted states. Difficult night, to be sure. You learned some lessons there, but you keep moving,” Schimming said.
Schimming acknowledged that the national political climate and voters' concerns about kitchen-table issues contributed to the GOP's losses. He says the party has learned lessons it can carry into the next election cycle.
“Certainly, making sure that you're staying close to kitchen-table issues that voters have. I think it’s easy to nationalize some issues in some elections. I think that was certainly the case this time,” Schimming said.
Despite the losses, Schimming is confident Democrats will overplay their hand as they take on more power.
“The Democrats who took over the U.S. Senate, as they took over in some other places, are going to be in overkill. They will overplay their hand because that’s what they always do,” Schimming said.
Schimming says Republicans tend to perform better in elections with higher voter turnout, which is why he believes the party will see success in 2028.
“I think 2028 is an excellent opportunity for us to get bigger turnout for us, bigger than what we had this year, and to score victories with it,” Schimming added.
Republican Derrick Van Orden, who lost his reelection campaign for Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, has already filed to run again in 2028. While Schimming says it’s too early for him to say who the party will endorse, he says several people are already coming forward and showing interest in running for office in 2028.
“We will have a good contrast no matter who's the candidate in both those districts, and so I am excited about that. And I will say, since literally the next morning after the election, we have had potential candidates talking to us at the state and congressional levels,” Schimming said.