GOP Governor Candidate Discusses Tariffs, Climate, and SEAL Training at Wisconsin State Fair

Bill Berrien's Campaign Focuses on Trump, Tariffs, and Business

At the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center on August 6, Republican candidate for governor Bill Berrien engaged with a large crowd and participated in multiple interviews with reporters. In a sit-down conversation with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Berrien emphasized his support for President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly tariffs, and expressed his vision for implementing Trump’s "America First" strategy as governor.

“I really see the opportunity for Wisconsin to be a shining example of the success of his policies,” Berrien stated during the interview. His remarks highlighted his alignment with Trump’s economic approach and his desire to position Wisconsin as a model state for such policies.

Berrien, a Navy SEAL veteran and CEO of Pindel Global Precision and Liberty Precision in New Berlin, has been active in the 2026 Republican primary field for governor since joining Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann earlier in July. Throughout his campaign, he has focused on his business background and drawn comparisons between himself and Trump, emphasizing his experience in manufacturing and leadership.

Strong Support for Trump's Tariff Policies

One of the key points from Berrien’s interview was his strong endorsement of Trump’s tariff policies. This stance contrasts sharply with his previous comments from five years ago, when he told Fox Business that “tariffs have both hurt us and they've helped us.” Now, Berrien claims no concerns about how Trump implemented these tariffs.

“You gotta give these things time and trust in that process of changing the decision-making around business investment,” he said. He also sought to clarify past statements that suggested he supported state-level tariffs, stating that he had no intention of imposing tariffs between states.

When asked about the idea of putting tariffs on products from other states, Berrien responded, “I don't know where that, state tariffs, came from.” He added, “No tariffs state-to-state. Violation of the Interstate Commerce Clause.”

Philip Shulman, a spokesman for the Wisconsin Democratic Party, criticized Berrien’s shifting stance, saying, “Bill Berrien is so obsessed with trying to win Trump’s love that he’ll support any policy — including wanting to increase the GOP’s Tariff Tax. And after today’s flip-flop it’s clear he’ll say whatever he thinks will help him win, not what will actually help working Wisconsinites.”

Climate Change and Environmental Concerns

During the interview, Berrien addressed concerns about Canadian wildfire smoke affecting Wisconsin skies. He admitted he wasn’t certain about the extent to which climate change was a factor or what could be done to address the issue.

“I just haven’t looked at the root causes enough,” he said. “I know that the DNR is sending up some firefighters. But it's certainly challenging.”

When pressed further, Berrien acknowledged that human activities are one of the causes of climate change. “I think it's definitely a combination of factors,” he said. “But, you know, people are going to be one of those factors.”

This perspective sets Berrien apart from many Republicans who either deny the existence of climate change or avoid addressing the issue altogether.

Campaign Contributions from Tech Billionaires

Berrien has received significant financial support from high-profile donors. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, founders of cryptocurrency company Gemini, have each donated $500,000 to his campaign through a PAC he launched earlier this year. The total contribution reached $1 million.

Berrien explained how he connected with the Winklevoss twins, saying, “I've known them for about 30 years... just through their parents.” He also mentioned discussions about bringing more “hard tech” to Wisconsin, highlighting his focus on innovation and economic growth.

Lessons from Navy SEAL Training

Berrien also shared insights from his time as a Navy SEAL, noting that 80% of people who start the training do not complete it. He described two rules that helped him succeed: “Make it to the next meal” and “You basically have to say you're going to drag my cold, wet, dead body out of this surf zone.”

He applied the same mindset to his gubernatorial campaign, stating, “And I'm applying the same mentality to this race.” This analogy underscores his determination and resilience in the face of challenges.