One team, one state: Brewers unite Wisconsin leaders

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) — The Brewers have a long relationship with the state Legislature, and politicians are rooting for the team to head to the World Series. There aren't many things both sides are rooting for.

“I was able to be at the game, Game 1 against the Dodgers, and just how loud the stadium was and how into it every single fan was,” Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, a Republican, said. “Every single pitch. It just feels great, and I am really excited to see what this team can do.”

August has been a Brewers fan his whole life. In his lifetime, he has never seen the Brewers make it to the World Series. A win for Wisconsin is something Democrats would also like to see happen.

“I think what we have seen in the state of Wisconsin is sports does bring people together because we are all rooting for Wisconsin,” Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, a Democrat, said.

Hesselbein and August are both leaders in their parties. Back in 2023, they both championed the Stadium Bill, which committed $500 million in public funding for renovations at American Family Field, an investment they both feel is paying off.

“Being able to work with the governor to negotiate a good deal for the taxpayers, but also a good enough deal for the Milwaukee Brewers. The ownership group wanted to stay here. I think that they have proven that they love Milwaukee,” August said.

The Senate voted 19-14 to approve the bill back in 2023. The public funds helped pay for things such as new boiler rooms, chillers, a scoreboard and winterizing the ballpark for offseason events — upgrades Hesselbein said she’s happy she voted for.

“I was able to look at some of the upgrades that they were able to do at the stadium that we voted for, and I was able to meet Sal Frelick and Jackson Chourio, and they are amazing people, really good people, and I am really rooting for them,” Hesselbein said.

Rooting for the home team on the field, regardless of the party they represent.

“I don’t know a lot of Republicans or Democrats that are sitting around watching the Brewers worrying about, you know, if the guy sitting next to them at the bar is a Republican or Democrat. They are just looking for someone to high-five after a Jake Bauers home run,” August said.

Both gubernatorial candidates have also been showing their support for the Brewers. Tom Tiffany posted on his X account, and David Crowley posted his interaction with fans in the stands.

Crowley’s campaign team highlighted that, as Milwaukee County executive, he was credited by labor leaders for playing a key role in negotiating the 2023 agreement.