UNDATED (WTAQ) - What a long and strange journey it’s been for Wisconsin when it comes to the 2016 presidential preference primary.
It began with an invasion of four of the top candidates, 2 Democrats and 2 Republicans, on March 25. Texas Senator Ted Cruz was the first to give voters a taste of what was to come at Lakeside Plastics, Inc. in Oshkosh.
"This next election is going to come down to three issues: jobs, freedom and security," Cruz said, before attempting to ingratiating himself to Wisconsinites further by touring Lambeau Field in Green Bay and finishing with a traditional fish fry at a supper club.
Then it was the Democratic challengers' chance to meet their potential bloc of voters. In Appleton, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders spoke to thousands packing the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.
"We have won 6 out of the last 7 elections, often by landslide victories," said Sanders on March 29. Not to be outdone, Sanders' opponent Hillary Clinton also hit the region that day by hosting a rally in Green Bay.
"Here's what I will do, more infrastructure jobs, roads, bridges, tunnels, ports, airports, good union jobs for people," Clinton said after being introduced by a local union member.
Then Republican frontrunner Donald Trump swooped into the region, holding several events including March 30th's stop at St. Norbert College in De Pere.
GOP candidate and Ohio Governor John Kasich appeared in Wisconsin, but trailing in the polls Kasich kept his appearances in the southern part of the state.
POLITICAL GAMES
As the so-called "Trump train" made its way into Wisconsin, along for the ride were the various controversies and insults which occupy several cars.
"This young woman, reporter, who shouldn't have been where she was, and she grabbed me twice, she said I was jolted backwards...she wasn't right? Did anyone disagree?" Trump asked the St. Norbert college crowd on the same day that his campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, was charged with battery in connection with an incident in Florida with a female reporter.
Trump took part in a town hall event hosted by MSNBC at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay that same day. Host Chris Matthews and Trump had an exchange which led to the business mogul's latest dubious moment involving abortion.
"There has to be some form of punishment, yeah," Trump responded to a hypothetical question from Matthews about holding women who get abortions accountable should it be illegal. Trump and the campaign quickly backtracked, saying doctors would be punished if abortions were illegal, not women. That was the line uttered later in the day during a campaign stop at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton.
Let's not forget that when Cruz was trying to eat perch and booyah at The Rite Place on Good Friday, he had been building up an appetite firing back at accusations. Especially after an unflattering tweet involving Heidi Cruz, Ted's wife.
"In the last few days, Donald Trump has taken to attacking Heidi," Cruz said. "How low will Donald go? Is there any level to which he won't stoop?"
Trump also took to Facebook while in the Badger State to deny any connection with a National Enquirer article about Cruz's alleged infidelities.
Then there were the radio interviews with Wisconsin conservative talk show hosts which didn't go so well for the New York native. WTAQ host Jerry Bader right off the bat explained his support for Cruz over Trump, which Trump replied, "I had heard you supported him, and it's your prerogative, I'm a little surprised."
WTMJ-AM host Charlie Sykes told Trump he sounded like a “12-year-old bully on the playground” with his threats to go after Cruz’s wife. Trump also went toe-to-toe with WISN-AM talker Vicki McKenna, who after a 25 minute interview finally said, "Best of luck to you, Vicki," before hanging up on her.
FULL POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Everyone from state lawmakers, to law enforcement and even local business owners got to feel what it's like in the thick of a presidential campaign trail.
"We hadn't really moved in yet, so it was the perfect timing and opportunity," said Dustin and Jenny Veldkamp, co-owners of Simply Earth in Sheboygan Falls.
The Ted Cruz for President Campaign asked to use their offices for their headquarters. Jenny Veldkamp told WHBL that they were excited to help out as Cruz supporters.
"This is just one little aspect. We can be world changers and support people that are on a bigger level than we are," said Veldkamp.
In Wausau, some folks had to be quick on their feet once a campaign calls.
"It's a unique challenge when dealing with the campaigns, because obviously, they have certain things that are standard to them," said Sean Wright, Executive Director at the Grand Theater which hosted a packed Bernie Sanders event. "You have certain security protocols, and so it really is a lot of trying to find out as much information as you can, and trying to support the things that you can support, and then realizing the things that simply have to be left to the campaign to figure out."
Streets around the Grand Theater had to be blocked off to minimize vehicle traffic for the high volume of pedestrians, and allow for equipment trucks, satellite television trucks and security. That was the same at the Fox Cities PAC event in downtown Appleton, which on a Tuesday morning looked like it was a Friday night rock concert.
"We're going to have more officers on staff," said Dale Elliot, who manages the Central Wisconsin Convention and Expo Center, which hosted events for both Trump and Cruz. Elliot told WAOW-TV that the spectacle that had become normal for Trump events were going to try and be prevented. "I think with the controlled environment, with the ticketing, I think it's going to be a lot different than what you've seen in other places."
The biggest problem of that ilk came outside a Trump rally in Janesville on March 31. That's when video caught a 15-year-old girl getting pepper sprayed by a man wearing a Trump hat, after police say she punched a man. The girl claimed she was groped, but police later said there was no evidence of that. The search for that man who sprayed her remains active.
Current Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who was once in this field of GOP presidential candidates, ended up endorsing and campaigning with Cruz. This came months after his own campaign came to a quick halt, and encouraged others to get out of the way for the sake of getting behind someone who could win in November.
"It's time that we elect a strong new leader, and I've chosen Ted Cruz," Walker said in a statement.
Former Governor Tommy Thompson has been working statewide for John Kasich, former Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton endorsed and introduced Sanders at his Appleton rally. Another former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina toured the Badger State on behalf of Cruz.
"Donald Trump is a big act, he's an entertainer," Fiorina told WTAQ's Jerry Bader.
Former president Bill Clinton campaigned in Wisconsin for his wife Hillary.
"I think you should vote for the person with the best ideas, the most relevant experience in a troubled world who's the best change-maker I've ever known. I hope you vote for Hillary on Tuesday," Clinton told hundreds of people at Lawrence University in Appleton on April 1.
While former vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin made her way to a shooting range in Wausau for Donald Trump.
"He is the one who, under his leadership and his success and his intelligence, has (what it takes) for us. He would allow for use to make the American dream," Palin told more than 200 supporters at Zingers & Flingers.
Even those in the Wisconsin legislature, like Representatives Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) and Amanda Stuck (D-Appleton), spoke out in favor of their choices. Jacque is backing Cruz while Stuck is supporting Clinton.
TURNOUT IS KEY
No matter which candidate Wisconsinites have waited in line to see, they've all received one consistent message: get out and vote Tuesday April 5.
The state's Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections, expects a 40 percent turnout in Wisconsin. Local clerks, like in Green Bay and Appleton, say that number could hit 50 percent thanks to both this presidential preference primary and a number of important local races.
86 at-large Democratic delegates will be divided proportionally based on the statewide vote. For Republicans, 42 delegates will be awarded, with 18 going to the statewide winner. The other 24 will go to the winners of each of the state's 8 congressional districts - that's 3 per district.
"The establishment is doing everything in its power to block this candidate, to marginalize him, to write him off," Susan Howe, who attended a Bernie Sanders event in Appleton explained, while throwing her support behind him.
Some haven't made up their minds, and will likely make a decision while holding the ballot's marking pen on Tuesday.
"We did go see Bernie, just kind of see the difference between the two," said Bob Hickey at a Hillary Clinton rally in Green Bay, who says he's new to the political process and wants to make an informed choice.
Marinette native Wendy Bennet drove over an hour to St. Norbert College just to see Donald Trump.
"I think the country is definitely in need of a big change," Bennet said. "I'm a Trump supporter because he speaks to my condition and a lot of people."
Wisconsin is the only state holding a primary or caucus Tuesday, which will be the last time this kind of circus is in town. At least until this battleground state gets around to the fall, when voters will make their final selection for the next Commander in Chief.
