The only debate between Republican Eric Hovde and Democrat Tammy Baldwin will start on an unlevel playing field, including a moderator who once worked for the state Democratic Party and a fact-checker who called President Donald Trump a “thug” and questioned why he hadn’t been “taken into custody” three years ago.
We’re sick and tired of conservative candidates having to debate in formats controlled by people with liberal biases who argue they’re objective. Meanwhile, conservative journalists are never asked to moderate or fact-check. And so it is with the lone U.S. Senate race. Viewers should know those biases going in. So we present them here.
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation debate begins Friday at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on 75 stations. The polls have tightened in the race. The debate will be moderated by Jill Geisler. Geisler, who is well-known in the news business, helped design the curriculum for a journalistic training project whose post “me too” movement mission was “enhancing the diversity, equity, and culture of news organizations.”
Consider:
Fact-checker Darrielle Fair: Fair is part of what the WBA Foundation is calling the data team: “This year’s debate includes the data team, started in the 2022 election cycle, which provides background research to the topics brought up during the debate while the debate airs.”
Here’s some background research on Fair’s ideology.
In 2022, she shared a journal article on Facebook called, “The Cumulative Costs of Racism & the Bill for Black Reparations,” and wrote, “Excited to read Mj Slaughter !! Very important equity issues you are bringing to light!! #proudmentee.”
On Jan. 7, 2021, she shared photos from Jan. 6 and wrote, “I am appalled. It has been made more than clear that races are treated differently in this country. These criminals have literally been able to steal personal items and confidential information. They are actively committing crimes. WHY ARE THEY NOT BEING STOPPED. WHY HAS THIS THUG DONALD TRUMP NOT BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY? Or anyone else for that matter???”
The day before she wrote, “Inserting my monthly PSA: now y’all see why they’ve attempted to suppress the Black and Minority vote for so long. Democrats are gaining control and these Republicans are literally loosing there minds. There is definitely a shift in power coming. Y’all couldn’t keep us marginalized forever.”
“Where is Bessemer City’s finest right now because your silence is telling. These THUGS, RACISTS, BIGGOTS, and CRIMINALS that are ENDANGERING LIVES WITH THE INTENT TO HARM are being allowed to roam the streets and break into the Capitol???” she wrote on Jan. 6. “Where is the excessive force. Where is the tear gas. Where are the rubber bullets, etc.. But Black people were literally dying in peaceful protest and y’all have had the most to say. Now we are literally watching white privilege happen before our eyes and they are allowing these rioters to commit these acts.”
She added, “This is why they try to suppress our votes. We showed out this time and Democrats got controls. Yts are loosing they minds.”
In 2021, she wrote, “To see Georgia turn blue, and know this was a long time coming as a result our Spelman sister Stacey Abrams and her Fair Fight Action campaign is truly amazing. I was a fellow for her organization last year, and to see how influential Stacey has been in restoring voting rights and resources to Georgians, and for Georgia to be a crucial player in this election… Wow.”
On Nov. 5, 2020, she wrote, “The NY Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journel, NPR, Politico, MSNBC, CNBC, USA Today, NBC News…. Just to name a few. Fox News, CNN, Facebook, Twitter, Gaston Gazette, Billy Bob, your parents are not the only resources you can gain information from. There is an entire world out there. The lack of incentive to educate yourselves and the misinformation is ridiculous. Stop living in the dark, and being closed-minded. Good Lord.”
On Nov. 4, 2020, she wrote, “If Biden wins… I promise y’all gone hear from me. Gone head and click that unfollow if you don’t like it 🥴 it’s a close race but that voter suppression y’all using is definitely getting some push back in this election. The bigots are showing out in our nations capital.”
In 2020, she wrote of the Minnesota riots, “There are white ‘protesters’ who are defacing community buildings in no support of the cause. They are simply destroying properties with intentions to create more chaos. These riots were initiated by undercover cops. So no, this is no longer a conversation of “protesters needing to peacefully protest” other social groups are infiltrating this fight to work against it.”
That same year, she wrote, “Stop deflecting from the main issue.. peaceful protests were not successful. This country has no conscience! And Trump?… Garbage, cannot not even believe this is the political climate of “our” country today. This country was established on violent protests. Read your history books. But when it’s any one other than white people doing the protesting it becomes an issue.”
Panelist Allyson Fergot (part of the question team): According to her LinkedIn page, she was a student fellow for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in 2018 and worked as an intern for Democrat Ron Kind in 2022. She wrote in an essay in 2019 that she admires the success of Tammy Baldwin (and Ron Johnson). She lists “BLM” in her X profile.
Fact-checker Elizabeth Wadas (part of the data team): Elizabeth Wadas interned for Democratic Congressman Pete Visclosky (D-IN) in 2012.
Panelist Neil W. Johnson: In 2023, he reposted a post from President Joe Biden that read, “I’m a capitalist. If you can make a billion dollars, go get it. Just pay a little more in taxes. It’s time billionaires pay a 25% minimum tax.” He also reposted a post from Gov. Tony Evers that read, “An overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites support legalizing and taxing marijuana, much like we already do with alcohol. It’s time to join red and blue states across the country and get this done.”
My official answer, when pressed, is: "I'm not an anarchist, but…" pic.twitter.com/uLt5VQrje2
— Neil W. Johnson (@JanesvilleNeil) February 2, 2023
He has posted jokes mocking Trump.
Political Cartoons Decoded Vol. 6: Big guys with small, puckered lips prefer to swim in a suit while wearing a floating elephant pendant on a rope! pic.twitter.com/bZilCMpSx3
— Neil W. Johnson (@JanesvilleNeil) September 14, 2022
Hurricane season is starting. pic.twitter.com/CRebf4JYUs
— Neil W. Johnson (@JanesvilleNeil) August 28, 2023
In 2022, he reposted another person’s comment that read, “Is the fact that this is now happening to white people going to make people realize how monumentally fucked up our asylum system is? Aren’t we supposed to take pride in being the refuge for those fleeing tyranny & oppression?”
Full Roster:
Question Team:
- Aditi Debnath, Reporter, PBS Wisconsin
- Allyson Fergot, Reporter, WKBT News 8 Now, La Crosse
- Neil Johnson, Reporter/Producer, Big Radio, Janesville
- Shannon Sims, Anchor, TMJ4, Milwaukee
- Jeff Thelen, Anchor/Producer, WSAW-TV, Wausau
Data Team:
- Darrielle Fair, Political Reporter, WKOW-TV, Madison
- Jonathan Krause, Director of Multimedia, Woodward Community Media, Appleton
- Harm Venhuizen, Political Reporter/Multimedia Journalist, WGBA-TV, Green Bay (and WTMJ-TV)
- Elizabeth Wadas, Lead Investigative Reporter, WMTV-TV, Madison
- Jill Geisler
