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

Sen. Johnson, President Trump talk amid opposition to 'big, beautiful bill'

3 days ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

President Trump and Senator Johnson talked yesterday about Johnson's opposition to the massive tax and spending plan. Johnson wants even deeper cuts than what the House passed and says the current bill will raise the federal deficit by trillions of dollars. White House Press secretary Caroline Lovett this afternoon. Is the White House's position that those two Republican senators are blatantly wrong?
Sen. Johnson set to take on Trump, says he's got 'facts and figures on my side'

5 days ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Sen. Ron Johnson says he has "the facts and figures on my side" as the U.S. Senate returns to Washington and he prepares to take on President Donald Trump and his "Big, Beautiful Bill.""I don't want it to come to that. I want the work with this president," Johnson said on WISN 12's 'UPFRONT,' which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com. "I want to see him succeed. I want to see America succeed.
Sen. Johnson: 'No amount of pressure that President Trump can apply' in opposition to spending bill

1 week ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson reaffirmed his opposition to President Donald Trump's self-proclaimed "big, beautiful bill" during a Milwaukee Press Club event on Wednesday.The president's spending and tax plan is now headed to the Senate after passing the House along a party-line vote. Johnson, along with several other key Republicans, has stated they will block the massive spending and tax plan until more dramatic cuts are made.
Wisconsin swing voters share mixed views on Trump administration

1 week ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

A focus group of Wisconsin swing voters revealed mixed opinions on President Donald Trump's first four months in office, with most approving of his actions despite expressing some concerns. A new focus group commissioned by the research firm Engagious included 12 Wisconsinites who voted for President Joe Biden in 2020 and President Trump in 2024. The group included 10 Independents and two Republicans from seven counties, including Milwaukee and Waukesha.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers may face investigation over immigration memo

1 week ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is facing potential scrutiny and an investigation from House Republicans after issuing a memo to state employees advising them not to answer questions or provide documents to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents without first consulting an attorney amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. "Yeah, we're certainly considering it in the Judiciary Committee," Rep. Tom Tiffany said in an interview with WISN 12 News.
Sen. Baldwin looks to 'strange bedfellows' with Sen. Johnson as tax bill heads to Senate

1 week ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany says he'll likely decide by the August recess whether he'll launch a bid for governor in 2026. "Where can I do the most good for the people in the state of Wisconsin, and am I the best candidate? Those are the questions," Tiffany said on WISN 12's 'UPFRONT', which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com.
Baldwin promises to 'hold his feet to the fire' after RFK Jr. clash over MPS lead crisis

2 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Democratic Sen. U.S. Tammy Baldwin says she'll continue targeting Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services secretary, after recent clashes over the Milwaukee Public Schools lead crisis.
Economic impact surpasses $320 million

2 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

The 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee generated an estimated $321 million in economic impact, including $216 million in direct spending, according to a new report by the Milwaukee Host Committee. "Milwaukee embraced the convention with open arms," Host Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.
Van Orden pitches eliminating spring elections after GOP losses

2 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

SIX. NEW HERE TODAY AT SIX. A WISCONSIN CONGRESSMAN SAYS IT’S TIME TO GET RID OF THE STATE’S SPRING ELECTIONS. AFTER A SERIES OF HIGH PROFILE REPUBLICAN LOSSES. AND SO THIS PITCH COMING FROM THE STATE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION THIS WEEKEND NEAR WAUSAU. 12 NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR MATT SMITH TONIGHT WITH THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS. LET’S FACE IT, AS MUCH AS MANY WOULD WANT DONALD TRUMP TO BE ON THE BALLOT AGAIN, HE WON’T BE.
GOP state convention wraps, party chairman confident he can lead party into midterms

2 weeks ago | wisn.com | Matt Smith

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming says he still has the backing of the party's executive committee amid some grassroots Republicans criticizing his leadership as the party's state convention comes to an end. "Yeah, I do," Schimming said on WISN 12's 'UPFRONT', which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com.