(The Center Square) – There is one year to go before voters will cast votes in the 2026 primary election for governor, but one of the candidates is already out with his second television ad of the campaign.
Bill Berrien, a former Navy SEAL and New Berlin businessman, on Wednesday launched his new ad called All In On Wisconsin.
Berrien is one of two Republicans officially running for governor in 2026. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann was the first in the race.
Berrien told News Talk 1130’s Jay Weber that he is using these early months to get his name out.
“I think I ‘ve hit 12 or 14 [county] fairs,” Berrien said about his early campaign. “I haven’t doubled-down on the fair food yet. But I have loved the engagement.”
Berrien did say what his reception has been, or just what issues most voters want to chat about.
Berrien is leaning hard into a Trump style sales pitch for voters, focusing on his background as both a veteran and a manufacturer.
“We are going to reopen the state like it was under Scott Walker, and we’re going to extend it,” Berrin added. “We’re going to focus on helping businesses here do much better. It’s a very people-centered approach that is similar to President Trump’s. It’s about the people.”
In fact, Berrien’s new ad focuses on those Trump similarities.
“I’m Bill Berrien. At my manufacturing business, we hire American, build American, and take the fight to China. I’m an outsider and a businessman who puts America first, just like President Trump,” the ad states. “I’m running for governor to support his agenda. Cutting taxes, cutting waste, and increasing wages for American workers. Together, we will make Wisconsin manufacturing great again.”
Berrien and Schoemann are so far the only Republican candidates, but many people also expect Northwoods Congressman Tom Tiffany to jump-in as well.
