In Wisconsin, the Democrats are searching for a candidate that can finally defeat Gov. Scott Walker. Inspired by the success of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in last year’s presidential primary, many young progressives believe that the best way to defeat him would be by moving further to the left. The individual many of them have in mind is none other than Madison Mayor Paul Soglin.
Soglin does hold many similarities to Sanders. Like the Vermont socialist — whom Soglin opened up for during his campaign visits to Madison — Soglin was also active in politics at a young age. At the height of the Vietnam War protests, he was one of the main leaders of the anti-war movement at the University of Wisconsin. His activism propelled him to city politics, where he became an alderman just six months after the legendary Dow riot and the mayor of Wisconsin’s capital six years later.
Like Sanders, Soglin doesn’t have a problem with praising left-wing dictators who’ve violated human rights countless times. He visited Cuba three times and met Fidel Castro twice. When the tyrant died, Soglin remembered him as “a popular leader who inspired generations of Cubans.”
In June, the Madison mayor claimed that Sanders’ great appeal in Wisconsin is what’s getting him to consider running for governor. He isn’t wrong about Sanders, who defeated Hillary Clinton by double-digits in the Badger State. Clinton only managed to win one county, Milwaukee, while Sanders seized the rest of the state. He won Dane county by a landslide, taking 62.6 percent to Clinton’s 37.3 percent.
At the time of writing, Soglin has not officially said yes or no, though many expect his announcement to come around Labor Day. While some Democratic candidates have already already entered the race, Soglin’s chances of becoming the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial nominee would be strong if he decides to run.
At the moment, his opponents don’t offer any serious threat. Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik has enough resources to spend on his own campaign, but he’s virtually unknown. Department of Public Instruction superintendent Tony Evers has won statewide elections numerous times, but they’ve generated little attention and turnout.
If Soglin is the nominee then there’d be quite a contrast between the incumbent and the challenger. Walker is one of the most conservative governors in the country and he correctly stated that Soglin is “an unabashed throwback to the 1960s.” But while Soglin energizes Madison liberals, there’s little fanfare for him in the rest of the state.
Soglin represents the Madison of routine protests against whatever Donald Trump does. He represents the Madison that attempts to shut down conservative speakers on college campuses. He represents the Madison that stormed the Capitol in 2011 when Walker and the Legislature proposed Act 10. This isn’t to say that Soglin is the cause for all these events, but he personifies Madison more than any other politician. When Wisconsinites think of Madison’s political climate, he always comes to mind.
Madison is more of a liability than an asset for Soglin. The truth is many voters across Wisconsin don’t want any part of Madison. This state’s political landscape since 2010 is a testament to that. There’s a reason calling Dane County “77 square miles surrounded by reality” is a popular joke in conservative circles.
How Scott Walker won his third governor’s race in four years
Soglin’s greatest challenge is that he has to showcase Madison as a success story, and so far he has been very sloppy in making that case. In a June interview, Soglin argued that two-thirds of the jobs created in Wisconsin were in Madison and the surrounding areas because of the policies he has implemented as mayor. PolitiFact Wisconsin rated his claim false. Soglin attempted to twist job numbers by only citing the labor force, which includes unemployed people looking for jobs. When accounting for the actual net increase in jobs, far less were created in the Madison area than Soglin claims.
Further, it isn’t clear that Soglin is chiefly responsible for job growth in Madison. Let’s not forget that the city is this state’s political nucleus and home to a world-renowned university with a student body of 43,000. Would Madison be anything like it is today had it not been for these two crucial institutions?
Would political organizations like One Wisconsin Now and business groups like Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce be headquartered here without the Capitol? Would State Street be lined with numerous bars, restaurants and apparel stores without the campus community?
Eating, drinking establishments crowding out retail on State Street, mayor tells committee
This isn’t to say that Soglin can’t win. Anything is possible in politics, but the advantage he receives from being Madison’s mayor in a Democratic primary erodes when it comes to the general election against Walker.
It’s prudent for the Democrats to opt for a different candidate, perhaps one outside of the liberal bubbles of Madison and Milwaukee. Walker’s strength is that he can connect with rural and suburban voters and unless Democrats don’t offer something similar, then they’ll be on the road to defeat once again.
John Graber ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in history and political science.
