THE GREAT AMERICAN POLITICAL ROADTRIP: WISCONSIN
In the early 2010s, former Washington Post reporter Dave Weigel went viral for coining the phrase “crucial Waukesha County.” The saying was born during a State Supreme Court election in Wisconsin and is now part of the political lexicon when following or talking about close elections. It appeared the liberal candidate would win until Waukesha County, a longtime Republican stronghold, suddenly reported a bunch of ballots at the last minute to give the conservative the lead. The result made Waukesha County “crucial” to the final results and thus started the long-running inside joke among political pundits.
That election was just one of dozens in the Badger State over the last 25 years that were razor-tight, including four of the last six presidential races.
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