Kirk Bangstad Enters Wisconsin Governor Race Amid Controversy
Minocqua Brewing Company owner and liberal activist Kirk Bangstad has announced his candidacy for the governor of Wisconsin, further intensifying the competition. His decision, which he revealed on social media over the weekend, follows a recent encounter with federal authorities.
Days before his announcement, Bangstad was questioned by the U.S. Secret Service and FBI regarding his social media comments on an alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. During a live-streamed event at his bar, Bangstad recounted this experience to supporters and criticized both his Democratic peers and the media.
Bangstad indicated that his interactions with law enforcement and concerns about American democracy spurred his decision to join the gubernatorial race. “I felt like the Democratic Party abandoned me, and I felt that I was actually scared for my safety, and scared from my own federal government,” he stated, emphasizing his reluctance towards the election process despite his love for public speaking.
Having previously run for state Assembly in 2020, Bangstad voiced his belief that he is uniquely positioned within the Democratic Party to challenge Trump. “I’ve been called the Trump of the left in every way. Arguably, I am, I’m just a million times smarter, but I have this showmanship aspect,” he remarked, highlighting a perceived lack of urgency from other Democratic candidates.
Since 2020, Bangstad has been a vocal critic of Trump, blaming the former president’s pandemic response for negatively impacting his business. His brewery is adorned with anti-Trump signs, and he has pursued legal action to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot, citing the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
Bangstad’s controversial stance includes promising to serve free beer on the day of Trump’s death, which ties into his recent contentious comments. Following an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner involving an armed individual, Bangstad suggested “someone in the Resistance needs to work on their marksmanship,” or the event was a hoax. He reiterated his readiness to pour free beer when such an event occurs.
Bangstad’s notoriety extends beyond politics; he has faced zoning disputes in Oneida County and was involved in a legal fight over defamatory comments about a local newspaper publisher, eventually settling for $580,000. These controversies have been central to his fundraising efforts, drawing significant financial support for his political action committee.
As he prepares for the Democratic primary, which already features over six candidates, Bangstad is rallying his supporters to gather the necessary 2,000 signatures. “I never wanted to do this, but I feel like, at least—even if I lose—at least I’m part of the conversation that I feel like everybody needs to be hearing,” he expressed.
