Gallagher’s seat, expressed hope that Mr. Gallagher would reconsider his decision to retire early. He questioned why Mr. Gallagher would leave the House GOP with an even slimmer majority as important legislative battles approach.
Meanwhile, conservative activists, Republican county chairs, and candidates for Mr. Gallagher’s seat in Wisconsin’s District 8 are feeling a mix of emotions following his announcement. “Bewilderment,” “confusion,” and “frustration” were common themes in interviews, with a prevailing sense of “anger” among them.
The uncertainty surrounding Mr. Gallagher’s departure has left many conservatives and Republicans puzzled. The lack of explanation for his decision has only added to their frustration. Some worry that a special election would give Democrats an advantage in the state, particularly with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers involved.
Criticism has also been directed at Mr. Gallagher for joining Palantir, a defense company that has been a major donor to him and a key player in the anti-TikTok movement. This move has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and ethical considerations among his supporters.
Overall, the reactions from Republican county chairs, candidates, and activists reflect a sense of disappointment and disillusionment with the political system in Washington, D.C. They are questioning Mr. Gallagher’s motives and the impact of his decisions on the future of their district. Sikora said.
Mr. Gallagher’s decisions and actions have clearly sparked controversy and disappointment among his constituents and party members, leading to speculation about the reasons behind his upcoming departure. Sikora stated. The lawmaker disclosed his resignation plans just ten days after a similar announcement from now-former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), one of the other Republicans who voted against impeaching Mr. Mayorkas, and a consistent critic of President Trump.
“I think it’s the next three people that leave that they’re going to be worried about,” Mr. Buck told Axios on March 12.
“I think Mike Gallagher can’t stand Trump and this is his way of flipping him off,” Mr. Sikora said.
Mr. Zahn said he was unaware of any stated support for President Trump by Mr. Gallagher, “even though Trump’s policies and Mike Gallagher’s policies align on almost every issue.”
“He has a visceral dislike for Trumpism,” he said.
Mr. Roth, one of the candidates for Mr. Gallagher’s seat, didn’t dismiss the notion that the early departure was intended as a stick in the eye to the current GOP, now more firmly under President Trump’s control than ever.
“That could very well be,” he said, adding that he thought the lawmaker should have stayed through November.
“Politics certainly can get personal,” Mr. Jacque said when asked about the possibility that Mr. Gallagher’s early departure was meant as a negative signal to President Trump and today’s GOP.
If Mr. Gallagher is dramatically rejecting “Trumpism” through his early retirement, one avatar of the movement has tried to respond in kind.
Rep Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.) has encouraged Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to have Mr. Gallagher expelled from Congress early, in time to stage a special election.
Trump Ally Bruesewitz Mulling Run
While many suspect there is no love lost between Mr. Gallagher and President Trump, Mr. Bruesewitz’s loyalty to the former president is hard to question. He was name-checked by President Trump at the latter’s Green Bay rally on April 2.
“You don’t know who Trump is going to mention. It is not always the best conservative candidate,” Mr. Zahn said, adding that he “enthusiastically will support Trump” despite preferring Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy when both were primary candidates.
Mr. Bruesewitz, who has floated the idea of running for Mr. Gallagher’s seat, will make a big announcement in Green Bay on April 8.
“Wisconsin 8 will elect a political outsider who fully embraces the MAGA movement in November,” the influencer predicted to The Epoch Times.
“I think he’s gonna run, but [I’m] not 100 percent sure,” Mr. Sikora said of Mr. Bruesewitz. He suggested that President Trump’s endorsement, should it come, would be “the only one that really matters” in the end. Please rewrite the following sentence for me.
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