From WisPolitics … — A GOP strategist is telling Republicans to “avoid the happy talk.” Keith Gilkes, a GOP strategist who runs Platform Communications in Madison, told a WisPolitics event at Marquette University Law School yesterday that he worries when Republicans are talking about taking over the White House and

From WisPolitics … — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who faced two failed recall attempts that allowed him to collect contributions in unlimited amounts, raised $638,893 over the first half of the year, according to his latest campaign finance report. The bulk of that came from the $500,000 donation that Illinois

From WisPolitics … — Milwaukee police Chief Jeffrey Norman says authorities continue to “monitor what is needed” after Saturday’s assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump. Trump arrived in Milwaukee last night amid speculation he will appear as the convention opens today. “This is a national special security event,” Norman

From WisPolitics … — In this week’s GOP radio address, Sen. Rob Cowles celebrates tourism in Wisconsin ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week. The Green Bay Republican touts the RNC as one of the largest events in Wisconsin in recent history, with tens of thousands of

From WisPolitics … — Conservative Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel raised $597,639 over the last six months, his campaign tells WisPolitics. By comparison, liberal candidate Susan Crawford raised $461,274 over the first three weeks after she got into the race last month, according to a draft cover sheet her campaign

From WisPolitics … — Those seeking to oust Assembly Speaker Robin Vos are vowing to appeal a Dane County judge’s ruling rejecting their request to order a recall election. Judge Stephen Ehlke based yesterday’s ruling on the state Supreme Court’s December decision throwing out the maps used in 2022 and

From WisPolitics … — Businessman Tony Wied is launching the first TV ad of his bid for the 8th CD, touting himself as the “Trump-endorsed conservative” in the race. Wied’s campaign says it’s part of a six-figure buy that will run on broadcast TV in the Green Bay market as

From WisPolitics … — U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin says it ultimately is President Joe Biden’s decision whether to step aside as the party’s nominee, adding she continues to be focused on her own race. At least five Dem House members have now called on Biden to step aside, while national

Subscribers: This is the final AM Update of the week due to the Independence Day holiday. The AM Update will return Monday. Thank you for subscribing! From WisPolitics … — Dora Drake beat fellow Milwaukee state Rep. LaKeshia Myers nearly 2-to-1 in the Dem primary to fill the vacant 4th

From WisPolitics … — Polls are open in the 4th SD, where Dem state Reps. Dora Drake and LaKeshia Myers are squaring off for the party’s nomination in the Milwaukee-based seat. The winner will face no major party opposition in the July 30 special election for the heavily Dem seat

From WisPolitics … — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore campaigned for President Joe Biden in Madison and Milwaukee this weekend, urging Democratic voters to stay the course after Biden’s debate performance sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. “I planned on being here in Wisconsin prior to the debate,” Moore said on

From WisPolitics … — On the heels of last night’s presidential debate, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will be in Wisconsin this weekend to encourage Black voters to back President Joe Biden with stops in Milwaukee, Madison and Kenosha. Moore, the first Black guv in Maryland history, is the latest Biden

From WisPolitics … — President Joe Biden stands to gain in tonight’s debate if his performance belies a narrative he’s too frail to run the country, Dem panelists at a WisPolitics luncheon said.  A Republican on yesterday’s Milwaukee panel, however, said that wouldn’t be enough to counteract what voters have

From WisPolitics … — The UW Board of Regents is holding a special meeting this morning to consider revising policies on campaigning in residence halls for the first time since 1988.  Today’s agenda notes there haven’t been any significant legal developments since then that necessitate changes, but cites “new threats

From WisPolitics … — The state Elections Commission will discuss the recall petition filed against Assembly Speaker Robin Vos during its Thursday meeting. The agency included the item on its agenda for the regularly scheduled meeting. But agency staff late yesterday hadn’t yet posted an analysis of the recall petitions

From WisPolitics … — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a potential vice presidential pick, says he’ll be at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee no matter who Donald Trump picks as his running mate. “Only he knows who he’s going to pick,” Burgum said on WISN’s “UpFront,” which is produced

From WisPolitics … — Senate Dems shared polling with WisPolitics showing candidates in two key races with early leads over their GOP opponents. The polling found Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska, up by 16 points over his GOP challenger in the 32nd SD, while Dem Kristin Alfheim had edges on both

From WisPolitics … — WHEDA has closed on 2,700 home loans totaling more than $558 million so far this fiscal year — a new record for the agency and more than double the total number from fiscal year 2023.  Gov. Tony Evers yesterday announced the agency’s single-family team closed 240%

From WisPolitics … — The Racine Recall Committee is set to hold a press conference in Madison this afternoon about “troubling findings” regarding Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ response challenging the effort. Recall organizers have argued the Rochester Republican’s challenge to their petition should be rejected because: Vos’ attorney Matthew Fernholz

From WisPolitics … — The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in a case to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’ partial veto in the 2023-25 budget that allows per-pupil spending increases each year for the next four centuries. The suit, which Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce filed on behalf of