It’s no secret all eyes are on Wisconsin for 2020. President Donald Trump will need to win Pennsylvania, Michigan or Wisconsin to retain the White House in the next election. This election could very well come down to Wisconsin, and it could very well come down to who is engaged in the electoral process.

Building the groundwork necessary to re-elect President Trump is going to take a lot of work, but luckily, the College Republicans of UW-Madison, the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans, and the Republican Party of Wisconsin are already putting in the work necessary to make four more years a reality. Election victories don’t happen overnight, and 2019 was filled with successes for the Republican Party which will help us in 2020 and beyond.

This spring, Brian Hagedorn won his race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Despite untrue and personal attacks on Hagedorn’s character, Wisconsin voters decided they wanted a Justice who would uphold the rule of law on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. 

Despite unprecedented attacks, Trump is working and winning for the American people. Under his administration so far, Wisconsin has added more than 40,000 jobs and the average Wisconsinite received an average tax cut of $1,411 per year.

Point Counterpoint: Under President Trump, the universe is the limit

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has been so focused on tearing down Trump they are ignoring their promises to the American people. For example, despite having enough votes for passage in the house, Democrats refuse to bring the United States—Mexico—Canada Agreement to a vote. The USMCA is crucial for Wisconsin, as its passage would add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy and create 176,000 new jobs, while leveling the playing field for American workers, farmers, jobs, and businesses.

What’s more, our newly elected Democratic Governor’s first year in office was devoid of actual accomplishment. Under his leadership so far, he called an illegal special election, he refused to hand over public records to the media, and he signaled he was open to mandatory confiscation of firearms. Last but not least, we shouldn’t forget his Lt. Gov. refused to answer questions about not paying his property taxes in an interview.

Wisconsin also faces another battle this spring as we prepare to elect Justice Daniel Kelly to a full term on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. Kelly is a Justice who upholds the rule of law and applies the law as it was written, not as he wants the law to be. His opponents have already been travelling the state advocating for activism from the bench. 

As for me, this will be my last Point Counterpoint for College Republicans and my last semester of my undergraduate education. In my three and a half years here, I could not even begin to tell you how many times I’ve been asked what it is like to be a conservative on a college campus.

Point Counterpoint: Republicans fight for individuals — not a party

Admittedly, there are times when it was difficult. For an institution that claims to value “sifting and winnowing”, the amount of backlash conservatives face on campus is astounding. Over time, I’ve realized being a conservative on a college campus is a tremendous gift. I’ve had my views challenged, defended my views and learned how to represent my values best on campus. 

I truly believe facing such challenges prepared me for life after graduation more than most other experiences on campus. Having the opportunity to fight for what you believe in is such a tremendous gift, and I am so grateful that College Republicans gave me that chance.

2020 is going to be the fight of our lives. Don’t sit at home and let this election season pass by without making an impact. Get involved in College Republicans, make calls, knock on doors, and ensure that when we wake up on April 7 and November 3, we know we did everything we could to ensure a win on Election Day. Trust me — you’ll only regret staying home.

Alesha Guenther ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in political science and journalism. She is also the strategy director of the College Republicans of UW-Madison.

Read about the College Democrats’ Year in Review here.