'I just want to win': Wisconsin Republicans want to move on from Trump, but some are reluctant
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A group of Wisconsin Republicans believe it's time to move on from former President Donald Trump after a string of statewide defeats and underperforming in crucial counties during the midterm elections, but some lawmakers are keeping him close days after he launched his 2024 candidacy.
"I just want to win, and I think it's really clear that with Trump, we are much more likely to lose," said former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan on 620 WMTJ radio Thursday. "We're stringing up a lot of losses because of him and we're much more likely to win with someone who's not Trump."
While Republicans did pick up seats in the state Legislature and flip the third congressional district by electing Derrick Van Orden, a former Navy Seal, winning statewide elections has been a challenge ever since Trump took office, former state party chair Andrew Hitt said.
"Trump had amazing policies during his term as president, but you can't ignore the fact the Republican party had lost in 2018, 2020, and now 2022," said Hitt. "Trump was front and center in all of these elections and was the leader of the party -- it did not go well."
Hitt, like other Republicans, emphasized the former president is not the only one to blame. Other factors played a role too, such as dwindling support in the longtime GOP strongholds of the Milwaukee suburbs and northeastern Wisconsin, quality of the candidates and fundraising.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), who won reelection after facing challenges from two write-in candidates - one who was endorsed by Trump, echoed calls to back another candidate for president in 2024.
"We have to be smart enough to say: 'I want to win,'" Vos told reporters last week. "I can't stick with one person and ride the ship down.'"
U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, a Republican from the 5th Congressional District who was one of the first to support Trump's 2016 bid, said he disagrees that Republicans should start distancing themselves from Trump.
"Oh, gosh, no," Fitzgerald said. "I think the announcement by President Trump brings a lot of energy to certain groups of Republicans that are still very excited about a Trump presidency."
Fitzgerald added, "President Trump endorsed me and I did very well on election night."
Fitzgerald refused to answer whether he would support Trump's 2024 bid, but said he believes there's "more energy" around Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, all candidates considering a potential run for president.
"There's other Republicans out there that will be making a decision whether or not they want to run for president as well, and it's going to create a very interesting primary season," he said.
Other Republican members of Wisconsin's delegation did not respond to requests whether they'd support Trump's campaign, and some dodged the question entirely.
'I’m focused on retaking the House majority and working on bringing prices down while families are struggling right now," said U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican representing Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District.
A majority of Republicans agree -- they want to change the trajectory of elections in Wisconsin. Many are already turning their attention to the state Supreme Court, with a seat up for grabs next year with conservative Justice Pat Roggensack retiring. It's a race that could have major implications on abortion and redistricting policies.