But as Democrats wind up their national convention in Chicago, the selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate has underscored the importance of the party’s performance with rural voters, particularly in the Great Lakes battlegrounds of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Since then, she has held seats in the state Assembly, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. In each chamber, she has been the first openly LGBTQ representative elected, and she was the first woman elected to U.S. Congress from Wisconsin.
Wisconsin delegates to the Republican National Convention also sported cheeseheads on the final night of their convention.
Wisconsin primary voters ousted more than a half-dozen incumbent lawmakers, setting the stage for a Democratic push to retake the Assembly this fall.