Sean Spicer is sounding the alarm for Republicans. He says low turnout when Trump isn’t on the ballot could be a “huge problem” for the party.
In Wisconsin, liberal Susan Crawford beat conservative Brad Schimel by about 10 points. This came just five months after Trump narrowly won the state by around 29,000 votes.
Spicer called it a warning sign. He pointed to the drop in Republican support compared to when Trump was on the ticket.
“It’s a special election, it’s off season right but that’s still not bad you’re, you’re about down 300 and plus,” Spicer said. “The Republicans who had gotten 1.6 with Donald Trump leading the ticket went down to 1.05. That’s a huge problem […] that’s the turnout, the motivation problem.”
He pressed the question: why the drop? “What is driving that? Are they pissed off? Are they pissed off at Donald Trump? Are they pissed off at their, you know, what’s going on Wisconsin, or are they not motivated?” he asked.
Spicer kept digging. “Did they only turn out because of Donald Trump? Did they only want to see him?” he said. “And I think that understanding that delta is critical to the midterms because you need to understand, are you facing a motivation or a mechanical problem? And nowhere better than with Wisconsin did that show up.”
Meanwhile in Florida, Republicans held their ground. Randy Fine beat Democrat Josh Weil by 14 points in Florida’s 6th District. Jimmy Patronis won by nearly 15 points in another special election.
Spicer pointed to turnout again. “The problem with the Republicans… both parties attritted from 2024, which is, again, it’s a general election,” he said. “You guys did a better job of getting your folks motivated out there.”