Minocqua’s Loudest Brewer Wants Wisconsin’s Biggest Job
Kirk Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Company, has announced his candidacy for Wisconsin governor, leveraging notoriety from controversial social media posts and a visit from federal agents. His campaign launch, held at his brewery, emphasized attention-grabbing rhetoric over policy substance. Critics question his qualifications and judgment, particularly given his history of inflammatory statements about the president.
- ▪Kirk Bangstad owns Minocqua Brewing Company and announced his gubernatorial run after a federal visit from the Secret Service and FBI.
- ▪He gained attention for posts suggesting free beer if President Trump died and questioning the authenticity of an assassination attempt.
- ▪Bangstad claims he felt abandoned by Democratic leaders after they condemned his remarks.
- ▪His campaign lacks detailed policy positions and focuses largely on anti-Trump sentiment and personal branding.
- ▪The announcement event featured beer, loud rhetoric, and sales of merchandise critical of the president.
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Minocqua’s Loudest Brewer Wants Wisconsin’s Biggest Job David Manney | 3:31 PM on May 04, 2026 AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin Kirk Bangstad, owner of Minocqua Brewing Company, announced he's running for Wisconsin governor because apparently the state's highest office now requires little more than a taproom, a Facebook account, and the confidence of a man who hears federal agents knocking and thinks, “Here's my campaign launch!” Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display("div-gpt-300x250_3"); //googletag.pubads().refresh([gptAdSlot["div-gpt-300x250_3"]]) }); <span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span>Bangstad made the announcement Saturday outside his Minocqua taproom, where the event promised flowing beer and loud conversation.
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