Donald Trump is expected to be unopposed on Wisconsin’s primary ballot in April after Republican members of the Presidential Preference Selection Committee decided he’s the only GOP candidate who’s demonstrated viability.
The decision comes after Republican parties in several other states decided to cancel their 2020 presidential primaries even though former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld and former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, of Illinois, have indicated plans to challenge Trump.
State GOP Executive Director Mark Jefferson told WisPolitics.com this morning no other GOP candidates “have shown any activity to suggest viability.” Jefferson also pointed out then-President Barack Obama was unopposed in Wisconsin’s 2012 Dem primary as fringe candidates qualified for the ballot in a handful of other states.
The Presidential Preference Selection Committee will meet in the state Capitol this morning to determine the GOP and Dem presidential candidates who will appear on the April 7 ballot. The committee is comprised of equal members from both parties and has sole discretion to place candidates on the presidential primary ballot, according to the Elections Commission.
Typically, the two parties respect each other’s wishes on names to place on the partisan ballots.
Those who don’t receive the committee’s blessing can still qualify by gathering at least 8,000 signatures by Jan. 28. That includes between 1,000 and 1,500 signatures in each of the state’s eight congressional districts.
By comparison, statewide candidates for Wisconsin offices have to gather a minimum of 2,000 signatures over a six-week period to qualify for the ballot.
The state Dem Party didn’t release the candidates its committee members plan to recommend ahead of the 11 a.m. meeting.
