Wisconsin election: Steil, Berman 1st District watch parties

And I believe we're going to start with Christina VanZelst, who is live in Elkhorn covering Mitchell Berman's campaign. That is the challenger to Brian Stille. Christina, what are you seeing there? Yeah, hey, Brian and Jenna, we are at Uncle Hunk's in Elkhorn. This is where Mitchell Berman's watch party is going to be tonight. The doors, they just opened at 7.30 to the public. The bar is officially open. The pulled pork is being served, and people are in good spirits here. We did hear from the media relations person that Berman likely will not be arriving here until well after the polls close and likely when the race is potentially close to being called. So let's take you around the room. Again, this is the Mitchell-Berman watch party, and I did talk with the press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. That's Katie Smith. They are going to be keeping an eye on turnout, specifically in Rock and Milwaukee County. They say they hope to see solid margins there and say that is an engine for a Democratic victory. Smith says they are also going to be eyeing Kenosha County and if Berman is getting 50 percent or more of the vote there. So those are the counties in this district that they are going to be watching from this party tonight. Want to show you a post from X that is Mitchell Berman voting earlier today at his voting site at Raymond. That is where he's from and lives, and he is currently a registered nurse there. Now, Berman's campaign has been focused on lowering living costs, expanding access to health care, and reducing corporate influence in politics. So we know this is a tight race, and if Berman does flip this district, first congressional district, Republicans, they've held that seat for more than 30 years. That outcome, it could help determine which party controls the U.S. House. So we'll see what happens here, Brian and Jenna, and of course, they're hoping for a victory here tonight, but we know recent polls show it's going to be close. You know, Christina, Mitchell Berman may not be a household name to a lot of people. Can you tell us a bit about his background? Because I understand he was an ER nurse. He worked in the healthcare field. Yeah. And he has more than 20 years in healthcare. So he currently is a worker, an ER nurse, as you mentioned at Ascension. And that's been a lot of the ads you might've seen, have focused on is his experience as a nurse, as an ER nurse. In fact, some of his signs here have the nurse ...tools that they use. So that's been a big part of his campaign as well, is just his background in health care and why he's trying to lower health care costs for people. That's a big part of his campaign and who he is. He's from Raymond, from rural Wisconsin. So that's something that you've probably seen in those political ads focusing on his background in health care. And I think you said you're at Uncle Hunk's. Is that Uncle Hunk's junk? Is this a thrift shop in Elkhorn? Okay, it is Uncle Hunk's Junk, and we, everywhere you look, we are noticing something unique that we're seeing here. So this actually also serves as the Elkhorn Chamber of Commerce. And when we were talking with the campaign, with the party earlier, they were trying to figure out where to put the stage because there are so many eye-catching items on the wall. They were actually looking at what you're seeing, the masks over there, debating putting the stage there, but thought that might be a little too distracting. So they moved this stage to back behind us where we're standing now. But yes, this is Uncle Hunk's. This is an Elkhorn. Also serves as the Chamber of Commerce here. A lot to look at. Yeah, definitely a unique space to hold an election night party. This is a unique candidate that is It's a unique space for sure. Thank you very much, Christina. And on the other side of things, we have Ashley Sears, who is at the Route 20 bar in Sturdivant covering the Style campaign party. Ashley, what's happening out there? Yeah, we're at the Route 20 bar and grill in Sturtevant. This is in Racine County, where the Bryan-style election night party is being held. This has become one of the most competitive races in the country. This place is filling up as people want that front row seat to watch what happens tonight. Bryan-style has held this seat in Congress since 2018 after succeeding House Speaker Paul Ryan. The first congressional district has been a Republican stronghold for the last 30 years. Styles won handedly in the last four elections. He defeated Democrat Peter Barca by more than 10 points in 2024. And Democrats have been trying to flip this seat for years as more eyes have been on this race. Political analysts say it's shifted from likely Republican to leans Republican, some even calling this a toss-up. The first congressional district includes all of Racine and Kenosha counties, most of Walworth and portions of southern and Milwaukee, Milwaukee County and eastern Rock counties. Now, guys, I want you to meet Ed and Linda over here. Ed and Linda, you guys are from Twin Lakes. Tell us about your support for Bryan Style and this race being so close now. What are you feeling tonight? Fear. Fear. I just, I feel that Brian Stile, like my husband and I agree, is out for the long haul, and he votes in the line of what's best for everyone, not what a certain group, he doesn't serve a certain group. Thank you. The legislation which he has authored, has provided us and been part of and passed, things like security. Thank you. We're in an aging population. He's done a great deal to promote letting seniors. We've paid into this government for years and years, and we've worked hard to let us retire and still be productive. I think he's supported us in many areas. We've seen Republicans hold the seat for 30 years now. Analysts are saying this may be a toss-up tonight. Are you surprised by that? Yeah, I'm surprised. I'll tell you, he has shocked us at how closely in touch he's been. With my wife, when she's had issues, she calls. We get a phone call back. He's unbelievable. I don't know how he has time for all that, but I think he is a guy that is in support of his constituents. I don't think that he's in it for him, he's in it for us. I can't say that about an awful lot of his contemporaries. We heard it here. Thank you guys so much for speaking with us. There's some fear about this being a possible toss-up, but there is support in this room tonight. I want to talk about the money as well. Millions have been poured into this campaign. Brian Stile raising $6.4 million. That's about three times his opponent. And supporters here, hoping that pays off, will all be watching closely as the polls close here. Brian and Jenna? Yeah, Ashley, it sounds like a boisterous party there. Does the vibe in the room feel like everybody thinks it's a toss-up, or do they feel like this is more leaning a Republican or solidly Republican district? I'm sorry, can you repeat that? I'm wondering if the rest of the room, they sound like they're pretty rowdy. Do they feel this is a toss-up as well? Yeah, I mean, it's a packed house in here. And this isn't just Brian Stiles' party here. We also have the Racine County Sheriff's Race and a State Assembly race supporters in here as well. Lots of people in here tonight. And a lot of people are hoping it's not as close as they say.