Emboldened Democrats eye Ron Johnson amid new controversies
by Julia Manchester - 06/02/22 5:23 AM ETSen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is facing a slew of negative headlines ahead of his reelection bid later this year, potentially complicating what was already expected to be a tough race for the two-term senator.
Johnson ignited controversy last week when he suggested that “wokeness” and critical race theory were the cause of recent mass shootings in the U.S. Additionally, the senator hit back at report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel saying he has been using tax dollars to travel between Washington, D.C., and a Florida vacation home, calling it a “fully coordinated attack.”
The headlines have given Democrats running to replace Johnson fodder ahead of the general election as the Wisconsin senator’s popularity declines in the state, and have them wondering if the Senate race could be a rare bright spot in a year expected to favor Republicans.
But Johnson is also no stranger to controversy and has overcome it on two previous occasions.
“Ron Johnson has been underestimated probably as much as any politician out there,” said former GOP strategist Brandon Scholz, who is based in Wisconsin.
The incumbent senator has stirred controversy with his past comments on the coronavirus vaccine, the 2020 presidential election results, racial justice protests, and other issues.
“I think his opponents pretty much have a free ride,” Scholz said. “All of the attention is essentially focused on Johnson.”
A Marquette University Law School poll released in April reflected the national mood Republicans have felt confident about going into the midterms. Fifty-six percent of respondents said the state was on the wrong track, while 69 percent said they were very concerned about inflation, according to the poll. President Biden holds a 43 percent favorability rating and 53 percent unfavorability in the state. Wisconsin’s Democratic Gov. Tony Evers holds a 47 percent favorability rating and a 42 percent unfavorable rate.
But the poll showed the state’s incumbent GOP senator with low approval ratings as well. Johnson’s favorable rating sat at 36 percent, while his unfavorable rating came in at 46 percent.
more
https://thehill.com/news/campaign/3508853-emboldened-democrats-eye-ron-johnson-amid-new-controversies/
