Former state party director says he's no longer a Republican loyalist

MILWAUKEE — The former executive director of the Wisconsin Republican Party said Monday he was attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in support of individual candidates, not in support of the party itself.

Brandon Scholz, former chief of staff for Wisconsin Congressman Scott Klug, is now an independent political analyst.

Scholz, of Madison, spoke with The Gazette Monday in Milwaukee amid a sea of red, white, and blue and MAGA hats at the Fiserv Forum. Giant posters of former President Donald Trump’s face and the slogan “Make America Great, Once Again” also covered buildings in downtown Milwaukee.

Scholzs aid he stopped being loyal to any party on Jan. 7, 2021, the day supporters of Trump took over the U.S. Capitol.

“The day after the attack on the Capitol, I sent a text to my Republican friends and the state chair and the executive and just said, ‘Guys, I have bled for this party for 40 years, and I’m done,” he recalls.

Today, Scholz urges those who aren’t sure who to vote for to attend rallies and conventions and to seek out as much information as possible between now and November. He urged voters to also inform themselves about referendums and other state and local matters on the November ballot, and if still unsure, to write in a candidate or vote for an independent.

“That’s what democracy is all about,” he said.

He said he doesn’t feel compelled to tell people “how to vote or where to vote or what to vote on, but to learn how to vote, learn where to find issues, go see candidates, you know, go to rallies, you know, watch TV, watch debates.’

He said under Donald Trump, a lot of people who were once loyal to the Republican Party are no longer.

“A lot of people felt pushed out,” he said

Scholz also said the attack on his life on Saturday appears to have emboldened Trump.

He said the Republican National Convention he attended in 1988 in New Orleans is a stark contrast to the one occurring this week in Milwaukee, starting with how Trump introduced JD Vance as his running mate on Monday.

At past conventions, that announcement was made later in the week.

He predicted thata Vance will help Trump promote his ideas and will help capture younger voters, and will help Trump break through in the Midwest.

He said security in Milwaukee on Monday was more intense than ever before.

“It was to be expected but it is hard to get around,” he said. “We are probably the safest place in the state right now.”

He said in general national campaigns and politics have changed, to something very different than seen in past national election years.

“This is by far the most bizarre presidential election we’ve ever seen in history,” he said. “It is an interesting thing to be witness to.”