But recent positive numbers for President Trump come after his lead in the closely watched swing state softened in April.
In Wisconsin on May 1, President Trump contrasted “Bidenomics” with “MAGAnomics,” an increasing focus of his speeches.
He’s expected to do the same in Michigan, another May 1 destination for the Trump campaign.
But the Wisconsin-specific pitches could make the difference in a state that both parties are heavily contesting.
President Biden has also repeatedly visited it in the past few months.
In Waukesha County, the former president pledged to “reclaim America’s heritage as the great manufacturing nation.”
“We became a great nation because of manufacturing,” President Trump said.
“Everybody wanted that contract. I brought it to Wisconsin,” he said, saying he had nicknamed the resulting ships “yachts with guns on them.”
The numbers have increased and plateaued slightly above the totals reached during the first years of President Trump’s tenure.
Employees have asserted that Master Lock is sending those jobs to Mexico and China, where it has been outsourcing labor for decades.
“That would never have happened with me,” President Trump said, asserting that he would have told Master Lock to anticipate a 100 percent tariff.
The Republican standard-bearer also noted the party’s upcoming convention in the state.
The Republican National Convention (RNC) is slated for July 15 through July 18 in downtown Milwaukee.
“We had lots of options, and we’re coming here,” he told the crowd.
Another subtle local pitch to a growing Republican bloc—namely, black voters, long a Democratic bloc—came when President Trump brought up Shana Gray, owner of a vegan restaurant in Milwaukee.
“It’s supposed to be really good—I’m not into the vegan stuff, I have to say, but I’m gonna have to try this,” President Trump said in his introduction.
Ms. Gray said, “It’s very important that we change what is going on now. And none of us can continue to go with the Biden administration.”
Wisconsin campaigning by President Trump and the RNC will be complemented by Turning Point Action, which is focusing on the state—along with Arizona and Michigan—as part of its inaugural ballot-chasing initiative.
Ozaukee County GOP Chair Alex Leykin, who was in the audience, told The Epoch Times that he’s confident that President Trump can win the state.
“We’re about 50-50 right now, and it’s a ball in the air,” he said.
Mr. Leykin laid out what he thinks Republicans and the Trump team should do to win.
“They just need to stay focused on the current issues of safety, world on fire, inflation, those type of things have to stay front and center,” he said.
“They have to stay away from all of the divisive issues, which they’ve been doing.”
