GREEN BAY – Cold wind and snow didn't stop Northeastern Wisconsin Trump supporters from rallying outside the KI Convention Center Tuesday afternoon.
The former president is scheduled to speak in downtown Green Bay on Tuesday at 5 p.m
The rally comes on a busy day in northeast Wisconsin. It's Election Day, with municipal and school races and presidential preferences for Wisconsin, and the area is expecting 8 to 12 inches of snow.
Here's how the day unfolded:
Ron Laurent, 69, of Green Bay, who wanted to see Trump in person, missed his previous visits to Wisconsin. The main issues for him in this election are the southern border and the economy.
“They (undocumented immigrants) are treated better than our military people who need help,” Laurent said.
Inflation is a big concern for Laurent. He's single, so it doesn't affect him. But when you're carrying $100 worth of groceries in both hands, something's wrong, he said.
– Daniel Duclos
Barb Austin is now making regular Trump appearances in Wisconsin. It was his third rally since he traveled from Fremont Waukesha in 2020 Mosinee in central Wisconsin to hear him speak. Avoiding the snow under his red umbrella and wearing his “Smart Six for Trump” shirt, Austin headed to the KI Convention Center after voting for Trump the day before.
“He's taking arrows at everybody, and they're not following him. They're following us,” Austin said.
He believes he will win in a “landslide” in November, as he hopes to win the 2020 election, though No signs of systemic problems With voter fraud in 2020. Trump lied about winning Wisconsin in 2020.
“God always chooses imperfect people to save the world,” Austin said.
– Benita Mathew
The line for the Trump rally stretched all the way to the Main Street parking ramp, where Tommy Sankey of Neenah and her boyfriend Dusty Schroeder wore black Aaron Jones Green Bay Packers jerseys. Changi, who works in real estate, said her son's time in the U.S. military showed her what a great country America is, and she was eager to hear a positive message from Trump.
“People don't understand how good things are, and how much better they can be if Trump is elected,” Sankey said, later adding that the housing market and the general economy were top issues for him.
– Jeff Bollier
Steve and Annady Sarokin, a father and daughter from Suamiko, are regulars at Trump's rallies in the Green Bay area. The two visited his town hall at St. Norbert College on a 2016 campaign stop. Their loyalty to Trump is strong because he “represents what America stands for: a strong military, a strong economy, and everyone should be prosperous and safe,” said Steve Sarokin.
Steve is concerned about possible convictions and how they could affect Trump's ability to hold office, but doesn't believe he should be convicted of any charges because “it's baloney.”
His daughter Annadi also plans to continue supporting him because she is “sick” of Democrats and believes Trump's issues resonate with Americans.
“He has a different mindset, business sense. That is what America needs, not just another base politician,” Annadi said.
– Benita Mathew
Trump's rally also brought the comedian and “The Daily Show” contributor Jordan Klepper to Green Bay. During election seasons, Klepper often visits Trump or Republican candidates' events and conducts humorous person-on-the-street interviews with event attendees.
Klepper was spotted inside the Main Street parking lot as crowds lined up before the doors opened at 2 p.m.
– Jeff Bollier
By 10 am, 150 people had already taken shelter from the freezing rain at the KI center.
Natalie, who arrived from Marinette at 9 a.m., said her boss gave her the day off to attend the event. “This is my first rally. I plan to spend the whole day here,” he said. She did not provide her last name.
Others already in line said they were from Appleton, Oshkosh and Green Bay. According to a vendor, merchandise vendors — offering hats, shirts and scarves — set up as early as 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Further: Check out a photo gallery of Donald Trump's trips to Green Bay over the years
Donald Trump and Lee Greenwood sell Bibles
Former President Donald Trump is teaming up with Lee Greenwood to sell “God Bless the USA” Bibles for $59.99.
The Green Bay area could see 8-12 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service Green Bay. Heavy snow is expected this evening and into Wednesday.
Doors to the Trump rally open at 2pm and he is scheduled to speak at 5pm
This story will be updated.
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