POLITICS

Wisconsin's primary ballot is now set. Unlike some states, it includes Donald Trump.

Hope Karnopp
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Former President Donald Trump greets supporters as he arrives at a commit to caucus rally, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Wisconsin's political party leaders met in the state Capitol for about six minutes Tuesday morning to determine which presidential candidates will appear on the primary ballot in the state: including former President Donald Trump.

The quick, no-hiccup meeting contrasts with two other states that have moved to bar Trump from the ballot. That decision was made by the Colorado Supreme Court and Maine's Democratic secretary of state based on an anti-insurrection clause in the 14th Amendment. The issue is likely to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

More:States are trying to block Donald Trump from the ballot. Here's what happens next.

Last week, the Wisconsin Elections Commission quickly rejected a petition filed by Kirk Bangstad — a Democratic activist and owner of the Minocqua Brewing Co. — that sought to keep Trump off the ballot on those grounds. Bangstad plans to challenge the decision in Dane County Circuit Court, and hoped it would reach the state Supreme Court.

WEC does not place candidates on the ballot in Wisconsin. That decision is up to the bipartisan state Presidential Preference Selection Committee, which is made up of state Democratic and Republican party chairs, majority and minority leaders in the state Legislature, and others.

The six candidates named by the state Republican party include: former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former President Donald Trump.

The state Democratic party presented only one name for the ballot: President Joe Biden. Author Marianne Williamson and Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips are also running as Democrats.

State law requires the committee to include all names "whose candidacy is generally advocated or recognized in the national news media throughout the United States," and can include additional names.

The names now go to WEC, which contacts the candidates to inform them they will appear on the ballot unless they notify the commission by Jan. 30 that they do not intend to run.

More:What are Wisconsin's 2024 elections, and when are they? Four dates to put on your calendar.

Wisconsin voters will choose their preferences for president during the April 2 election, which also includes races for nonpartisan offices. This primary is "advisory," not binding — parties hold their own conventions to select a nominee, including the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which is July 15-18.