With sheriffs vouching for them and a flood of ads proclaiming their support for the police, Democrats are shoring up their public safety bona fides. Still, some worry it’s too late.
Running ads portraying Black candidates as soft on crime — or as “different” or “dangerous” — Republicans have shed quiet defenses of such tactics for unabashed defiance.
Senator Ron Johnson and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes both went on the attack in Milwaukee, but there didn’t appear to be much in the way of moments that would change voters’ minds.