Shawn Johnson / Wisconsin Public Radio
Ted Cruz makes his case to workers and reporters at Dane Manufacturing.
Freezing rain is pouring down in the village of Dane, population 995, as the whirlwind 2016 presidential campaign blows into town.
GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz is making a campaign stop at a Middle America factory, Dane Manufacturing, in his attempt to turn the electoral tide against frontrunner Donald Trump.
“Wisconsin is pivotal,” the Texas senator tells reporters before speaking to the company’s workers. “The entire country is focused on the state of Wisconsin.”
Established in 1917 to produce “below frost line” water pumps, Dane Manufacturing now specializes in precision metal fabrication and stamping.
Cruz’s visit to the company is closed to the public, but employees have been encouraged to invite family and close friends.
Jason Myers and his wife, Justine, have brought their two sons, Finn and Ethan, to give the youngsters a lesson on democracy. Ethan says he is “kind of excited” to meet a presidential candidate. “I just wanted to see him in real life.”
The family is wearing Cruz campaign stickers but more out of respect than allegiance to the tea party leader. Jason and Justine haven’t yet settled on a candidate to vote for in the April 5 Wisconsin primary.
“[The campaign] is still pretty green to us,” says Justine. “We’ve never been to an event like this before.”
On the factory floor, laser-guided machinery spits out long metal sheets as workers head over to the makeshift stage where Cruz will address the crowd.
“To be honest, I didn’t know who [Ted Cruz] was until yesterday,” says welder Brandon Winger. Winger wasn’t old enough to vote in the last presidential election and says he doesn’t really follow politics.
“I am interested in Trump,” Winger says. “He’s blunt, but that’s what America needs.”
Fellow employee Jeremy Sladky is open to giving Cruz a chance but doesn’t disclose the candidate he supports. “Whether you agree or disagree with [Cruz’s] policies, it’s pretty neat just to meet and be around a presidential candidate,” he says.
Sladky’s roommate, Andrew Kaim, tagged along even though he intends to cast a ballot for Trump on Tuesday. Kaim said he digs the Manhattan billionaire because “he’s human.”
“He does say stupid shit sometimes,” Kaim says. “But I think he says things a lot of people want to say but are too afraid.”
With just a hint of Texas drawl, Ted Cruz gives the crowd a bleak assessment of the economy, excoriates President Barack Obama for “violating the Bill of Rights,” and promises to wipe out “radical Islamic terrorism” if elected.
“If you declare jihad on America,” Cruz warns, “we will find you and we will kill you.”
Retired U.S. Air Force veteran Gordon Faust is pulling for a Cruz comeback because he’s concerned about national security. “He’s one that would definitely follow the program that I’m in favor of,” says Faust.
During his 15-minute stump speech, Cruz also takes aim at Trump, chastising him for being “too willing to compromise” and calling him “a giant gift to the Democrats.”
Jim Lassa, a middle-aged Dane Manufacturing employee, thought Cruz’s speech was “excellent.” But should the Lone Star Republican lose the nomination, Lassa says he won’t be backing Trump.
“I’m one of those ‘No Donald’ people,” says Lassa, who doesn’t trust the renegade Republican. “I’ll vote for Hillary over him.”
Before heading to a campaign rally in Janesville, Cruz makes the rounds, shaking hands and posing for photos. One of the younger workers personally thanks him for including Dane Manufacturing on his busy campaign schedule.
“I think it’s cool what you’re doing,” says the young man confidently.
The usually loquacious Cruz stammers before replying, “Glad to join you.”
The village of Dane:
Located within the town of Dane in northern Dane County. Dane Manufacturing can be found on Dane Street. The county, village, town and street were all named for Massachusetts statesman Nathan Dane.
Who the heck is Nathan Dane?
Nathan Dane was a delegate to the Continental Congress who helped write the Northwest Ordinance, passed in 1787, which outlined the governance mechanisms for Wisconsin and four other states. Dane offered a last-minute amendment that outlawed slavery in the territory.
2012 general election results in Dane, Wis.:
Barack Obama: 273; Mitt Romney: 268; Gary Johnson: 8; Jim Clymer: 1; Jill Stein: 1; Write-ins: 1
