In a small Wisconsin city library, frustrated Democrats gathered to express their discontent with President Trump, Elon Musk, and the country’s direction. Concerns were not limited to Republicans, as some questioned their party’s messaging and feared the outcome of an upcoming state Supreme Court election. This election, set for April 1, holds significance as a key test in a pivotal swing state early in Trump’s term, with issues like abortion, public sector unions, voting rules, and congressional district boundaries at stake.

Sauk County, known for predicting presidential race winners, hosted over 170 individuals at a “People v. Musk” town hall event, aimed at supporting Democratic candidate Susan Crawford against Brad Schimel, backed by Musk. With Musk pouring over $5 million into the race, the stakes were high, with party officials stressing the importance of the election for democracy.

Attendees like Maureen Oostdik expressed frustration with the Democratic campaign’s PR strategy, while Laurel Burns highlighted concerns for disabled individuals reliant on Medicaid and Social Security. Tracy Baggot criticized Trump and Musk’s involvement in politics, emphasizing the need for increased Democratic energy.

Democratic Party officials like Susan Knower and attendees like Timothy Hinton underscored the urgency of connecting Musk with Schimel and Trump in the campaign discourse, emphasizing the need for Democratic voter turnout to secure a win. Overall, the town hall reflected a mix of frustration, fear, and optimism among Democrats gearing up for a crucial election battle.