There are a lot of discussions about the growing chasm between the Right and the Left in the United States. This chasm is often a playground for hyperbole on both sides, and it leaves many Americans stuck in the middle. Ironically, for those running for office, the voters in the middle ground are the ones who decide elections, and far too often these voters are disregarded until the general election. Primaries are about partisan politics, the grassroots and parties deciding who their candidates will be. General elections require the rest of the voters. As I’ve driven around Wisconsin, I hear more and more from those in the middle. This creates a dynamic that makes it challenging for a candidate to appeal to the base, while not alienating the middle. I cannot understate this fact, the middle, the moderate, however you describe them, will be the ones who decide if Senator Tammy Baldwin is re-elected, or if the Republicans can gain this seat.

Serving in local elective office has been an eye-opening experience, and an amazing place to learn how government functions. From budgeting and committee assignments to working with constituents, I have gained valuable insight in how I must approach service to my community. The local offices are mostly non-partisan, so one’s views on issues like abortion and the Second Amendment seldom come into the conversation. We work with those who have opposing beliefs, primarily because where we disagree politically is irrelevant to most of the issues I tackle. We do not like to be dictated to, told what to believe, so why would anyone think that a message mandating voters to conform 100% to a belief be the banner to carry during this election? We cannot ignore the wishes of Americans simply because we are in a different political party.

I have heard people on both sides speak critically about the middle. They refer to them as straddling the fence and chide them for talking out of both sides of their mouths. I respectfully disagree. Many issues do not fall neatly into a box where everyone agrees on every issue. My guess is that we agree on 80% or above on the big issues, the sanctity of life, our 2A rights, taxes, and the scope/size of government. But as we dissect these issues, small nuances, details that only emerge when we delve into an issue, rise up and become part of our conversation. The solid wall splinters a little and we suddenly have small factions and a split party. This is where we are in today’s political climate. Many people agree on the higher points, but, with well-meant intentions and beliefs as valid as any of mine or yours, we find slight differences. A divided party guarantees a losing party.

We must come together in Wisconsin to retire Tammy Baldwin. We must see one another as allies, not as enemies. Friends can and should have their own beliefs, and we should still remain on the same side, fighting that righteous fight for core beliefs. Often, it is the same results we seek, just a different path on how to get there. We may have to get there in steps, seldom do we get that huge one hundred percent win. When we draw our lines in the sand and refuse to tackle our goals incrementally, we lose. Look at abortion. Nationally, we have received zero wins legislatively since Roe was decided fifty plus years ago. I am proudly pro-life and I believe that our little ones are a gift from God. We also have to look at the reality on the ground. My heart tells me that I must continue the fight to save every precious little one. My mind tells me that so many who support choice for women do not agree with unlimited abortion up to and even during birth. I am further reminded that when we lose 100% of the fights in Washington DC over abortion, that perhaps our strategy is in need of recalibrating. What welcoming message have we provided to these folks who agree with much of our beliefs? There is no welcoming. Finally, my gut tells me that had we not been so unwilling to consider another approach, then we wouldn’t have lost 65 million babies in the last fifty years. This same lesson can be learned time and again with many issues facing our country. I am running to be our next United States Senator, and the simple truth is this: we must acknowledge that Republican votes alone will not win this election, and refusing to integrate moderate people into our party guarantees Tammy Baldwin six more years of leftist wins, and six more years of losses for us. Abortion is not solely a women’s issue because roughly half of those little ones who keep getting aborted will become women. The other half will become men. This fight can be won, it must be won, but not by a traditional candidate who simply recites talking points or spends piles of cash. This will take someone with experience, and someone who can find common ground and work towards our goal, not just talk about it. I am honored to travel Wisconsin to be that voice, the only voice that can bridge the divide. As always, please reach out to Staceyforwisconsin.com and join us in our fight to take back our nation against leftist radical Tammy Baldwin and her comrades in DC!