In the whirlwind of Wisconsin’s political landscape, where the echoes of the 2020 presidential election still resonate loudly, a fascinating dynamic is unfolding. Two prominent figures, a Republican and a Democrat, have stepped forward as beacons of trust, aiming to reassure the public about the very foundations of American democracy: our election system. On one side, we have J.B. Van Hollen, a former Wisconsin Attorney General, and on the other, Tom Barrett, the former Mayor of Milwaukee. They are partners in the Democracy Defense Project, a multi-state initiative dedicated to restoring faith in how our votes are counted and elections are run. Their message is clear: the 2020 election has been meticulously reviewed, repeatedly, and nothing has changed. It’s a stark contrast to the narrative being pushed by others, most notably U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the official Republican nominee for governor, who continues to cast doubt on the 2020 election results, refusing to acknowledge President Donald Trump’s loss to Joe Biden, particularly in Wisconsin.
Tiffany’s stance highlights a deep ideological divide. Fresh from securing the GOP endorsement, he’s been consistently vague about the 2020 outcome, often referring to “improprieties that happened” without offering specific, substantiated evidence. This pattern of evasion isn’t new; it’s a continuation of his actions following the 2020 election, where he emerged as one of the most ardent “election deniers” within the Wisconsin congressional delegation. Despite numerous reviews, recounts, investigations, audits, and lawsuits all affirming the election’s integrity, Tiffany remained steadfast in his doubt. He even voted against certifying election results from Arizona and Pennsylvania on January 6, 2021, and publicly stated he would have done the same for Wisconsin. He actively supported a lawsuit from Texas that sought to overturn election results in Wisconsin and three other states. His actions represent a significant departure from traditional political discourse, contributing to the broader climate of distrust that ultimately led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol that fateful day. Following the January 6th events, Tiffany even participated in a closed-door rally with other right-wing figures where calls for “war” were reportedly made.
This ongoing questioning of the 2020 election isn’t just confined to political rallies and speeches. The Trump administration has also amplified its efforts to relitigate the election through the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI. Swing states like Wisconsin have seen increased scrutiny, with federal agencies delving into previously debunked allegations. Recently, the FBI has even begun questioning Milwaukee election workers, a move that has drawn both support and criticism. Tiffany, for his part, publicly endorsed the FBI’s involvement, stating that the investigation should continue “to find out what happened there” and that if “improprieties happened then there should be charges filed.” This perspective, however, stands in direct opposition to the views expressed by Van Hollen and Barrett.
The bipartisan duo of Van Hollen and Barrett expressed considerable concern over the FBI’s involvement, labeling it a “fishing expedition” and a misallocation of valuable resources. Barrett’s analogy of a “fishing expedition” perfectly captures the sentiment that the agency is searching for problems where none have been definitively proven. Van Hollen, while affirming confidence that the FBI wouldn’t fabricate evidence, still questioned the necessity of the investigation, especially given the agency’s other pressing priorities. He believes that if new information were to surface, laws should be enforced, but he doesn’t see the current investigation as a necessary step. Their argument is rooted in the belief that the 2020 election has already been thoroughly vetted, and to continually re-examine it only serves to perpetuate doubt and undermine public confidence. Their efforts with the Democracy Defense Project are a continuation of the work done by countless state and local election officials in Wisconsin, who have diligently countered election conspiracy theories with verifiable facts about the state’s election system.
During their visit to La Crosse, Van Hollen and Barrett emphasized the strength of Wisconsin’s decentralized election system. They highlighted the crucial role of local clerks across the state, who are responsible for the meticulous administration of elections. These local officials, they argued, are broadly trusted within their communities, and for good reason. Van Hollen cited polling data demonstrating that the general public holds these local election workers in high regard, recognizing their non-partisan dedication to a vital civic duty. He noted the apparent paradox in public sentiment: “The general public believes very strongly in the folks in this room and other people who are running their local elections,” yet “they don’t necessarily have a belief that we have election integrity.” This disconnect, he explained, stems largely from a lack of accurate information.
Van Hollen and Barrett believe that much of the distrust surrounding elections isn’t malicious but rather a byproduct of widespread misinformation and a lack of understanding about how elections genuinely operate. Many people, he said, are simply “not informed as to the way our elections are run,” making them susceptible to the deluge of “misinformation out there.” While acknowledging that both political parties have contributed to this problem, Van Hollen candidly admitted that his own Republican party has been a more significant driver of the distrust in recent times. This honest self-reflection underscores the project’s bipartisan commitment to addressing the issue head-on. Their work is a vital endeavor to educate the public, rebuild trust in the electoral process, and ensure that the foundations of democracy remain strong and unchallenged. It’s a human story about civic responsibility, the challenges of misinformation, and the persistent efforts of individuals from across the political spectrum to uphold the integrity of our elections.