Matt Terrill: Republican Strategist on the special elections in Florida and Wisconsin

Voters are heading to the polls in two special elections in Florida and Wisconsin. 

Florida's holding special elections for Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz's congressional seats and both seats are critical races for Republicans, given their slim majority in the House. 

The battleground state of Wisconsin is also voting on a new judge for the state's top court. 

It's become the most expensive judicial contest in US history, with more than $90 million being spent on campaigning, including $21 million by Elon Musk. 

Republican Strategist Matt Terrill told Mike Hosking while the Republicans are confident they’ll win Florida, a different race is unfolding in Wisconsin. 

He says the outcome will send a signal as to where the pulse of the country is – if the Trump-backed candidate wins, it signals the strength of his mandate, but if the Democratic candidate wins, they’ll have a point to rally behind. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Big guy in America. They're voting on a couple of things.
Special elections in Wisconsin for a seat on the Supreme Court,
couple of congressional races in Florida. A Republican strategist managing
Partner and fire Howse Strategies met Terial's back with us
Matt morning, to be with you. Is there any chance
that the Republicans are going to lose Florida?

Speaker 2 (00:18):
I don't think so. Look, I think Republicans feel confident
they're going to win that race, and maybe by a
closer margin than previous election cycles for that district. But look,
the truth is the Democrat candidate has raised a significant
amount of money. That's not nothing. But the end of
the day, I think Republicans feel good about winning that race,

(00:39):
of confident Republicans will win that race, may be able
to closer in the margin, potentially under ten points or so,
but we'll see what happens.

Speaker 1 (00:46):
Okay, then we come to Wisconsin. How serious is that?
In which way? If it goes the wrong way, what
what unfolds?

Speaker 2 (00:53):
Well, Look, I think that's a different race in the
sense that it's taking place in the battleground of battleground states.
The bottom line is I think this is not just
about what happens in that race in terms of who's
gonna win it, but also what does that mean in
terms of the signal it sends in terms of where
the pulse of the country is. You know, if the
Republican backtor I should say President Trump backed candidate and

(01:14):
that race wins, I think it's very telling about the
mandate that he has the strength that he has when
it comes to the electorate. But look, you know, if
the Democratic back candidate and that way race wins, obviously
let's be something that Democrats are going to rally behind.
Obviously they're low in the polls right now. They're profer
rating is not is not good right now? So I
think they're looking for any opportunity to increase that.

Speaker 1 (01:37):
Is there some sort of market on Elon seeing he's
being particularly active in Wisconsin? Is it or is it
all about Trump?

Speaker 2 (01:46):
Look, I think it's it's really not necessarily about either.
I mean, look, sure Elon Musk is involved in terms
of you know, uh, contributions in terms of his pack
and those elements, but so are you know, Democratic leaders. Mean,
look er JB. Pritzker, a billionaire, is donated to the
Democrat back can't ate in the race. Focus billionaires on

(02:07):
both sides, but in terms of funding and contributions, I
think at the end of the day, this race is
about the issues that Wisconsin voters care about. For example, redistricting.
That's a huge issue many voters are concerned about in
the state. Obviously, it's something that I think the electorate
will be focused on. There'll be national trends in this race.
Knows a question about it, But the end of the day,
it's about what the Wisconsin voters think, and they're concerned

(02:28):
about key issues such as redistricting and other issues.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
So if the Republican gets up in Wisconsin and they
win in Florida as well, that's a good day for
Trump and liberation die tomorrow and its business as usual.

Speaker 2 (02:41):
Yeah, look, let's let's see what happens here in terms
of the outcome. But look, if Republicans do well, obviously
to strengthen President Trump's mandate. If Democrats have any wins,
you know, then obviously it's gonna be something that they
rally around. But I think Republicans feel good going in
to the election.

Speaker 1 (02:56):
Great stuff, good to catch up, appreciate it. Very much
meant toill. Republican strategist managing partner apply house strategies, of course.
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