
#image_title
Oshkosh Defense’s namesake plant could make USPS vehicles, but it appears the jobs are heading for non-union conditions in South Carolina.
If Oshkosh Defense sticks to its plan to create more than 1,000 new manufacturing jobs in South Carolina instead of its namesake plant in Wisconsin, that’s fine by Sen. Ron Johnson—himself a resident of the city that could have benefited from any lobbying on his part.
Speaking to reporters Saturday, the Republican running for a third term said he would leave it to the company to decide where to fulfill a government contract to build 165,000 vehicles for the US Postal Service.
“It’s not like we don’t have enough jobs here in Wisconsin,” Johnson said, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The biggest problem we have in Wisconsin right now is employers not being able to find enough workers. I wouldn’t insert myself to demand that anything be manufactured here using federal funds in Wisconsin.”
RELATED: ‘I Don’t Think It’s Controversial’: Johnson on Opposing Childcare Help
Oshkosh Defense, a subsidiary of specialty vehicle maker Oshkosh Corp., was awarded a USPS contract nearly a year ago to manufacture “next-generation” delivery vehicles. Four months later, the company said it would locate the project—and its estimated 1,000 jobs—in South Carolina. Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin has been lobbying the company to use the already-experienced union workforce in Oshkosh. Last week, the Biden administration indicated it might scrap the contract entirely unless the amount of clean energy vehicles in the fleet is greatly expanded.
Reaction came swiftly from the field of Democratic candidates hoping to challenge Johnson in November.
“He just doesn’t understand economic development,” said Tom Nelson, the county executive in nearby Outagamie County. “It’s mind blowing, breathtaking.”
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes called it “outrageous, and time for him to go.”
State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski tweeted, “Ron Johnson doesn’t give a sh*t about Wisconsin workers. But I do. That’s why I’m running.”
Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry posted, “Ron Johnson is out of touch with the needs of Wisconsinites. We need to beat him in November.”
Responding Monday to the criticism, Johnson claimed “the liberal media has taken my remarks and spun them for their own narrative.”
Johnson’s remarks came after appearing at a “parent empowerment rally.” The event announcement said Johnson would encourage attendees to run for local offices like school boards “in order to take back our culture.” Another speaker was slated to talk about “critical race theory,” which isn’t actually taught in Wisconsin schools but has become conservativeshorthand for criticizing efforts to teach a fuller version of American history that acknowledges centuries of unfair treatment of Black Americans.
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Wisconsinites and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at UpNorthNews has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Wisconsin families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.


Opinion: Many to thank in fair maps victory for Wisconsinites
On February 19, 2024, Governor Tony Evers signed into law new and fair state legislative maps, bringing hope for an end to over a decade of...

Opinion: Empowering educators: A call for negotiation rights in Wisconsin
This week marks “Public Schools Week,” highlighting the dedication of teachers, paras, custodians, secretaries and others who collaborate with...

Op-ed: Trump’s journey from hosting The Apprentice to being the biggest loser
Leading up to the 2016 election, Donald Trump crafted an image of himself as a successful businessman and a winner. But in reality, Trump has a long...

Not just abortion: IVF ruling next phase in the right’s war on reproductive freedom
Nearly two years after the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, another court is using that ruling to go after one of the anti-abortion right’s...