Kirk Bangstad enters Wisconsin governor’s race, two days after visit from FBI

(WLUK) — Just two days after he met with the FBI and Secret Service, Minocqua Brewing Company owner Kirk Bangstad has entered the Wisconsin governor’s race.

Bangstad made the announcement this afternoon during an event that was posted on the company’s Facebook page.

He says he wanted someone to “stand up to Trump” and that his main concerns is “saving our democracy.”

Bangstad also shared his dissatisfaction with the current group of candidates for the crowded Democratic primary later this year

“I never wanted to do this,” Bangstad said. “At least I’m part of the conversation that I feel like everybody needs to be hearing right now.”

The brewing company owner was under fire this week after he posted “well, we almost got #freebeerday” shortly after the latest assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.

Bangstad has been a outspoken critic of the president. His company currently has a promotion promising free beer on the day Trump dies, which has drawn heavy criticism in the past.

In addition, his company sells merchandise that’s critical of the president, including t-shirts that read “I wish it was free beer day at Minocqua Brewing Company” and “Is he dead yet?”

Bangstad did not share if he would be aiming for a partisan endorsement, or the status of various required documents to enter the race.

He previously ran for a seat in the 34th District of the Wisconsin Assembly in 2020, but did not win the race. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin did donate to that campaign.

The Democratic primary is up in the air, with several state legislators and officials already in the race.

These include State Rep. Francesca Hong, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany is the front-runner, following an endorsement from President Trump that led to Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann dropping out of the race.