A Wisconsin Republican candidate, Bill Berrien, has withdrawn from the governor's race following reports linking him to several sexually explicit social media accounts. Berrien, a businessman from Whitefish Bay, had previously campaigned on conservative values but faced scrutiny over his connections to explicit content on the platform Medium, where he followed Jiz Lee, a transgender adult film star, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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Berrien announced his decision to exit the race on Friday, stating that his campaign was gaining traction until the Journal Sentinel published articles that he claimed were aimed at forcing him out. He described the situation as a misunderstanding, asserting that he is "very intellectually curious" and follows a wide range of content across various platforms.
In his farewell statement, Berrien defended his online activity, saying he follows over 5,000 individuals and subscribes to more than 100 newsletters. He claimed that the media had cherry-picked a few individuals from his past interactions on social media, which he had not been aware of at the time.
Berrien's campaign faced additional challenges beyond his social media connections. He struggled to connect with grassroots conservatives in Wisconsin and was criticized for his previous support of ranked-choice voting, a method he had promoted through a centrist political group. Critics argue that ranked-choice voting can dilute conservative votes and favor more moderate candidates.
Despite his claims of supporting President Donald Trump and conservative family values, Berrien's political alignment has been questioned. He previously endorsed Nikki Haley in the GOP primaries, which some conservative commentators have noted places him at odds with the Trump wing of the party.
The former candidate's withdrawal from the race comes as he stated he no longer sees a path to the nomination. Berrien's campaign had included significant advertising efforts to introduce himself to voters, portraying himself as a political outsider aligned with the MAGA movement.
As Berrien steps back from the race, the Wisconsin governor's race continues to unfold, with candidates vying for the support of the state's Republican base. The political landscape remains dynamic as issues of voter integrity and election methods are hotly debated among candidates and voters alike.
Why it matters
- Bill Berrien's withdrawal highlights the impact of social media scrutiny on political campaigns, especially for conservative candidates.
- His exit raises questions about the viability of candidates who struggle to align with grassroots conservative values in Wisconsin.
- Berrien's past support for ranked-choice voting and endorsements have complicated his standing within the GOP, reflecting internal party divisions.
What’s next
- Candidates in the Wisconsin governor's race will continue to campaign for support from Republican voters as the primary approaches.
- The GOP may need to address internal divisions and voter concerns over election methods as the race progresses.