Overview
- Bangstad announced in a Saturday Facebook livestream that he is running for governor and said he needs 2,000 signatures by May 15 to qualify for the ballot.
- The FBI and U.S. Secret Service interviewed him at his brewery after the posts, and the FBI’s Milwaukee office says the follow-up remains active.
- His posts referenced giving “free beer” on the day President Trump dies and said a would-be attacker should “work on their marksmanship” after the Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
- Leaders in both parties, including the state Democratic Party and Rep. Francesca Hong, condemned the rhetoric, and protesters gathered outside Minocqua Brewing Company.
- Bangstad says he will focus on voting rights and democracy, and he criticized other Democrats as weak on Trump while noting he previously lost a 2020 bid for the state Assembly.