Battleground Wisconsin is Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s weekly podcast that features the latest political news from the front lines in the embattled state of Wisconsin. The show features: · Robert Kraig, Executive Director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin · Matt Brusky, Deputy Director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin . Claire Zautke, Health Care for All Director
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August 13, 202655 min
Primary Election: What happened & the roadmap forward
Following our weekly tick report, we do a deep dive into the stunning primary election outcome in the race for governor.
We unpack why the Francesca Hong campaign was so successful, why it fell barely short, and a brief road map on how David Crowley can engage the progressive base that worked so hard for Hong.
Read an excellent Wisconsin Examiner article by Ruth Conniff on what the Democratic primary for governor means for progressive politics?
August 6, 202649 min
Keeping the throttle twisted towards the primary election
Following the tick report where we learn, in the words of a CDC scientist, that “the ticks are winning,” we discuss a new study finding wildfire smoke is now the primary pollutant negatively affecting pregnancy. Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires and the spike in tick borne illnesses.
In a rather surprising development, former disgraced New York City mayor Erick Adams shows up to central Wisconsin to shill for data centers, and is booed by local residents. Whose brilliant idea was it to hire the corrupt Adams as a pitchman for Big Tech’s AI binge?
Investing in public education and phasing out the private voucher school program jumped onto center stage in the governor’s race this week. Francesca Hong’s commitment to wind down the voucher program which is draining resources from our public schools made headlines in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The newspaper also reports that Hong was the only candidate who agreed to discuss school funding plans in detail with reporters. Kudos to Hong for demonstrating her commitment to be open and honest with the public about her plans for the largest item in the state budget.
We discuss the public debate in the 3rd Congressional District on if it is appropriate for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (the political arm of the House Democrats) to intervene in the primary elections on behalf of Rebecca Cooke, raising concerns of closed door decisions that disempower voters. Robert discusses parallel concerns about Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee and Senate Democratic Campaign Committee interventions in Assembly District 21 and Senate District 17 races. We also react to news that Tom Tiffany raised $4 million of his $5 million cash on hand from three billionaires.
We close with a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation finding half of ICE flights conducted by Appleton-based Air Wisconsin are using Milwaukee Mitchell as its hub. Also, Robert tells us if it matters that two federal court decisions block the Trump Regime from rescinding billions in climate change grants.
We urge our listeners in the Milwaukee area to attend our $20 Minimum Wage Town Hall, Wednesday, August 19th, 6pm.
July 30, 202651 min
Meet Laurel Wales
We welcome Laurel Wales, Citizen Action's Managing Director, to the show as a guest panelist.
Following the tick report, we dive into the latest developments in Wisconsin’s governor primary election, including two new polls that show Francesca Hong surging into a commanding lead. How has Hong confounded the pundits and the experts to become the overwhelming favorite in the Democratic gubernatorial primary?
Our panel discusses a ruling by a conservative Wisconsin Appeals Court panel upholding Act 10, overturning a district court ruling. What is the basis for their decision and will the liberal-leaning Wisconsin Supreme Court see it differently?
We look at an important New report that raising the alarm bells that threat of authoritarianism is not enough to attract more working class voters to the Democrats. What are the implications for the fall elections and the fight to prevent authoritarian consolidation?
We talk about why the G20 is coming to Milwaukee, in late September and debrief our visit to Superior for the Wisconsin Public Education Network's Summer Summit.
July 23, 202650 min
Elections > Polls
We take a deep into the latest MU Law Poll, which finds Francesca Hong and Mandela Barnes distancing themselves from the field. What does the MU poll clearly tell us and what remains unclear and fluid? We look at other Internal candidate polls, which show Francesca Hong with at 35% and 39%, a 20+ point lead over Barnes and David Crowley, who has reentered the race. We also discuss how the headlines about the MU Law Poll misrepresent its findings, and ignore some of its most interesting results.
We clarify how the $2 billion Wisconsin tax subsidy for data centers was bipartisan . passing in the 2023-25 state budget with support of GOP Legislature and a Democratic Governor who chose not to line-item vetoed it.
We close with a review of Trump Regime impacts in Wisconsin and other States; Milwaukee could be first test case of ICE’s refusal to follow mask ordinance; Trump’s CMS suspends $1 billion in Medicaid funding to Minnesota and California; and Trump’s DOT declares war on “DEI bike lanes” and biker and pedestrian safety. Yes this is for real!
July 15, 202652 min
Special Interview with Citizen Action endorsed candidate for governor, Francesca Hong
We welcome Citizen Action’s newly endorsed Governor candidate, State Representative Francesca Hong, to discuss her historic campaign and why Citizen Action members endorsed her in a crowded field of strong candidates.
Following the latest tick report, we dig into the Wisconsin Election Commission finding Elon Musk likely broke the law with $1 million voter checks and referred him to the Brown County District Attorney for criminal investigation and possible prosecution. Does the Brown County DA have the resources to take on a Trillionaire? Finally, we expose the utilities seeking to halt open bidding competition for new power line projects, and billions in proposed rate increases this year alone.
July 9, 202658 min
Civil War in the Democratic Party?
With Matt on vacation this week Robert welcomes special Guest State Rep Christian Phelps to discuss the new "improved" Trump immigration crackdown, huge Wisconsin budget deficits in education and health care, and the freakout of establishment Democrats about the gains of democratic socialists and strong progressive candidates. Is it a civil war or a way to improve the Democratic Party? Finally, Robert interviews Amy Barrilleaux from Clean Wisconsin about the shocking news that Wisconsin energy demand will increase 40% by the early 2030s due to three large data centers. What are the implications for the climate crisis?
July 2, 202649 min
Organizing the democracy we need the next 250 years
Robert gives us the 250th July 4th Tick Report, nature’s revenge for climate change. This week’s report includes a menacing headline from the Boston Globe, There’s a terrifying uptick in tick-borne illnesses. We educate our listeners on the dangerous and deadly tick-borne disease, the Powassan virus, which transmits in 15 minutes and can include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness. Severe cases can bring brain inflammation, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, seizures or lasting neurological damage. Ticks and the current heat wave are climate change induced. We discuss new research saying Wisconsin is 2.9 degrees warmer than 1970.
We picked up on a story Battleground Wisconsin covered in June, that Democratic-lead states sued the Trump Regime on Medicaid “medically frail” exemption for work requirements. Now, many states and health policy experts say surprise Trump regime regulations are unworkable. Despite the outcry, crickets from Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services.
So-called “targeted enforcement” keeps the Trump/Miller assault on rights of immigrants out of national headlines (and politics) but continues under the radar. In recent weeks ICE has amped up operations in Milwaukee arresting many with no criminal records. Masked agents and violent arrests traumatize families in Milwaukee. ICE also is refusing to follow Milwaukee’s mask ban for all law enforcement officers.
We take a dive into the final Supreme Court decisions before the justices go on their long summer hiatus. While immigrants’ rights advocates celebrated the birthright citizenship ruling by the US Supreme Court, it is outrageous that it was a 6-3 decision (really, 5-4 on the constitutional question) and not 9-0. Also, SCOTUS further deregulated big campaign cash (modeled on Wisconsin’s law) further elevating the “rights” of the wealthy and well-connected over everyone else.
We are joined by Kate Zolandz, an organizer with the National Union of Healthcare Workers, who was fired by the sleazy Rogers Behavioral Health. She tells us about the workers successful organizing drive that has resulted in Rogers firing workers and targeting the licenses of staff fired after union vote. The union has started a new website with more details.
June 25, 202651 min
Progressive Caucus in Wisconsin
Robert opens the show with the latest Tick Report (aka Nature’s Revenge) Report) which includes a rash of tick-related livestock deaths in TN, a DMV region tick infestation to match the swampy reflecting pond on national mall, a USDA educational campaign with an image of 5 ticks you can’t see, and tick solutions you will need to navigate the outdoors this summer!
We look ahead to the avalanche of Supreme Court rulings set to be released in the coming days before the MAGA justices retreat to their summer resorts and junkets until the first Monday in October. How lucky for them.
Robert tells us what the NYC primary sweep for Mayor Mamdani backed candidates means for the 2026 elections and the reinvention of the Democratic Party. We look at any lessons for Wisconsin’s upcoming election, including the governor’s race.
What would a progressive Congress in 2027 and beyond do? We welcome Catherine Rowland from the Progressive Caucus Action Fund to discuss a Town Hall Wednesday, July 8th, 6pm in Racine, Wisconsin featuring members of Congress, Rep. Gwen Moore, Rep. Mark Pocan, and Caucus leader Rep. Pramila Jayapal, among many other progressive luminaries. RSVP NOW
We look at a new report from the High Road Strategy Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison finding 458,800 Wisconsin workers would see higher wages (16% of the state’s workforce.) if Wisconsin passed a $20 minimum wage next year. 277,700 Wisconsin workers would be “indirectly affected”, as people earning just above the minimum wage would see raises as pay scales adjust upwards.
We close with a review of the 2026 election steal efforts by President Trump, including Postmaster General testimony that U.S. The Post Office will not deliver mail in ballots of states (like WI) that do not hand over their voter files to Trump’s corrupt DOJ.
June 18, 202650 min
Celebrating Climate Action: An Interview with Ted Kraig
We wish everyone a happy Juneteenth Day and encourage everyone to attend an event near you. Look for us at Milwaukee and Eau Claire events.
Robert provides us with the latest Tick report: emergency room visits from tick-borne illnesses are at 10 year high and a Univ. of Rhode Island Tick website finds 9 ticks active in Wisconsin in June, the highest the Black Legged Deer Tick. The Lone Star Tick (which makes you allergic to meat) is present as well.
Following a brief discussion on the Trump effective surrender to Iran, we dive into new data demonstrating the devastating impact of Republican cuts to food assistance for families and children. More Than 770,000 Children are no longer receiving SNAP benefits after Trump's savage cuts to federal food program. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 4.3 million fewer people received SNAP nationwide in February 2026. Embattled MAGA Congressman Derrick Van Ordin, himself a food stamp beneficiary during his childhood, justifies these cruel cuts as an anti-fraud measure.
We discuss the Trump Regime on-going efforts to steal the 2026 midterms. including Kash Patel’s rogue FBI effort to intimidate social justice groups engaged in voter registration by raiding the homes of leaders of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Ohio. Learn more at Hands Off Ohio. Robert also explains how Trump is tying the U.S. Senate in knots in his latest attempt to force his supersized voter suppression bill through.
We welcome Citizen Action member and climate organizer Ted Kraig to the show to to discuss the 3rd anniversary of the Milwaukee Climate and Equity Plan. You are invited to celebrate this Saturday morning at 9 AM at the Urban Ecology Center-Washington Park, in Milwaukee. Ted discusses the depth of the climate crisis but also gives us hope that that organized people can make systemic change in the next few years that can put us on a path towards stabilizing the climate crisis.
June 11, 202653 min
Climate Justice at Walnut Way: Special Interview with Bryan Rogers
Following the Tick Report, Robert updates us on Trump's pattern in Iran of threatening escalation and then pulling back.
Wisconsin unveiled its new procedures for dealing with BadgerCare work requirements in the Big Ugly Bill. But the Trump/Kennedy HHS’s last minute changes to the final rule makes it much worse than the language of the bill, risking coverage for people with serious conditions such as life threatening cancer. With health care at risk for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites, including people too frail to work, is Wisconsin prepared? We revisit the last minute budget gimmick engineered by the big hospital lobby, Evers, and Vos but disallowed by the Trump Regime.
We dive into a new Brookings Report finding 45.5% of U.S. households did not earn enough to make ends meet. The report concludes that moving the needle on affordability requires action on both sides of the equation: lowering costs of living and dramatically increasing household incomes. We preview 4 newly scheduled $20 Wage Town Halls in Fond du Lac, Madison, and two in the Milwaukee area
We close with an in-depth interview with Bryan Rogers, the environmental justice director at Milwaukee’s Walnut Way. Bryan, who is a regular podcast listener, tells us more about Walnut Way and discusses why they are co-hosting a governor candidate forum on Saturday, June 27th, 10am at North Division High School. Bryan explains why their members are so deeply involved in fighting climate change and higher utiilty costs that fall disproportionally on predominantly Black neighborhoods in Milwaukee.
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