5/04/2026

MINOCQUA - Kirk Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Company, announced his candidacy for governor of Wisconsin on Saturday only one day after receiving a visit from officials from the secret service and grabbing the attention of the FBI from posts he made on social media. Known for his controversial "free beer day" offer regarding President Trump, Bangstad recently drew FBI and Secret Service attention for renewing that promotion following an attempted assassination of the President. Bangstad has stated he decided to run after unsuccessfully urging other progressives to do so. Bangstad's entry follows his public criticism of fellow progressives like State Rep. Francesca Hong and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. While a March Marquette Law poll showed Hong and Barnes leading a largely undecided field, it also revealed that 75% of voters are primarily concerned with inflation and the cost of living, while voting rights were not listed among the top priorities.