Matt Smith

Milwaukee

Political Director and Executive Producer and Co-Host, UPFRONT at WISN-TV (Milwaukee, WI)

Political director @WISN12News Milwaukee. Award-winning anchor, reporter. ‘UPFRONT’ executive producer, co-host. Minnesota native. Girl dad. Fueled by ☕️

Articles

UW-Madison cooperating with federal investigations

1 week ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Amid the Trump administration's announcement of a $2 billion freeze in federal funds to Harvard University, several dozen other public universities and Ivy League colleges remain under separate investigations including University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Office of Civil Rights has included UW-Madison on two separate lists, one targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, the other looking into the university's treatment of Jewish students.
Baldwin points finger at President Trump over tariffs

1 week ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

THAT NOW. BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS THE STATE SAY THEY’RE ALREADY SEEING THE IMPACT OF TARIFFS ON THE GROUND TODAY. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TAMMY BALDWIN IN MILWAUKEE PUSHING BACK AT PRESIDENT TRUMP. POLITICAL DIRECTOR MATT SMITH LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM FOR US TONIGHT, MATT. UNCERTAINTY ACROSS THE BOARD FOR BUSINESSES AND LAWMAKERS. YEAH.
Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler stepping down, doesn't rule out future political run

1 week ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Ben Wikler says "Democratic leadership is urgently important" as he prepares to step down as party chairman in June. "There's so much to do to expand the ways that Democrats communicate and organize and push the envelope to break through the noise," Wikler said on WISN 12's 'UPFRONT,' which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler will step down in June

2 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler will step down as party chairman when his term ends in June, capping off a six-year stint overseeing several pivotal wins and losses that thrust the state party into the national spotlight, turning it into a fundraising powerhouse. "If there was ever the right time to pass the torch, this is it," Wikler told WISN 12 News political director Matt Smith in his first television interview announcing his decision. Wikler's term as chairman ends in June.
Gov. Evers on trade mission in Europe amidst new tariffs

2 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

THE DEAL. WILD SWINGS ON WALL STREET TODAY AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THREATENED EVEN MORE TARIFFS ON CHINESE GOODS. THE DOW AND S&P 500 BOTH ENDED THE DAY IN THE RED. THE S&P SLIDING INTO BEAR MARKET TERRITORY THIS MORNING BEFORE REBOUNDING. THE NASDAQ ENDED UP ENDED THE DAY UP 15. 12 NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR MATT SMITH IS IN THE NEWSROOM TONIGHT MATT. GOVERNOR TONY EVERS TONIGHT IS IN EUROPE AMIDST THIS VOLATILITY ON A TRADE MISSION TO GERMANY AND FRANCE.
Michael Gableman agrees to deal in ethics violations case

2 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman has agreed to a deal that would suspend his law license for three years following his review of the 2020 election.Read state Supreme Court filingGableman is accused of numerous ethics violations, including dishonesty and disparaging a judge.Gableman was first hired by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos after President Donald Trump lost Wisconsin in 2020 and has falsely said the election was stolen.Vos later fired Gableman, calling for his...
Can't 'sugarcoat' Supreme Court results

2 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin says Susan Crawford's victory is "a huge shot in the arm" for the Democratic Party nationally. Crawford, the liberal candidate, defeated conservative Brad Schimel 55% to 45%.
Takeaways from Susan Crawford's win

3 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Democrats nationally are looking to the Susan Crawford campaign and the risk to go after Elon Musk in the final days of the campaign. Democrats say they see it as a strong rebuke in a state President Donald Trump won just months ago. "I never could have imagined I would be taking on the richest man in the world," Crawford told supporters Tuesday night.
Crawford's victory ensures court's liberal majority through 2028

3 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Brad Schimel ended the night the way he started it, alongside his band in his home state of Waukesha County, a Republican stronghold Schimel underperformed in, one of several counties statewide. "The numbers aren't going to turn around," Schimel told supporters Tuesday night.
Elon Musk in Green Bay gives away $2 million ahead of election

3 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Two days ahead of the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court election, billionaire Elon Musk gave away $2 million during a stop in Green Bay Sunday night, despite Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul spending the weekend attempting to block the payments. "I should say the reason for the checks is to get attention," Musk said.