Grassroots conservatives immediately raised red flags after Republican businessman Bill Berrien announced his bid for Wisconsin Governor on Wednesday, citing his support for Ranked Choice Voting and anti-Trump rhetoric. Despite these past associations, Berrien said he was entering the race to oppose incumbent Governor Tony Evers’ ‘tax and spend’ agenda.
In an ad posted on the day of his announcement, Berrien touted his background in business in an attempt to distinguish himself from incumbent Democrat Tony Evers.
Berrien and a number of other conservatives expressed optimism about his ability to win the race, highlighting his business experience as the CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision, machine shop and aerospace companies based out of Wisconsin. Berrien also served nine years as a Navy SEAL.
Grassroots conservatives, however, took to social media to point out his troubling past political associations, which include support for Ranked Choice Voting, anti-Trump rhetoric, and support for Nikki Haley, who opposed President Donald Trump in the 2024 primary.
While Berrien’s campaign advertisements now prominently feature President Trump, he donated over $30,000 to Nikki Haley’s 2024 Presidential campaign. (RELATED: Anti-Cop Violence on the Rise as Immigration Tensions Boil Over)
Trump’s support will be key both in the primary and the general election as he was the first Republican Presidential candidate to win Wisconsin since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
In addition to his support for Nikki Haley in the 2024 primary, Berrien was noncommittal about if he would support Trump for President in 2020, saying that he wanted to see what Biden and Harris’ ideas were. He also attacked Trump for his ‘anti-science’ approach to the Covid-19 pandemic. (RELATED: Wisconsin Supreme Court Strips Legislature’s Power Over Agency Rules)
