THIS IS THE PLAN (THAT BEAT MUSK)

Former Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler joins Dr. Kristin Lyerly to break down how Wisconsin became the testing ground for Project 2025 — and how grassroots organizing turned it into the state that beat it back. Wikler explains what really happened when Elon Musk poured millions into a Wisconsin Supreme Court race and appeared in Green Bay, why it backfired, and what it revealed about where voters actually stand. He also unpacks his new book, This Is the Plan: How to End America’s Meltdown and Save Democracy, including his strategy of investing in small municipal elections to build a much bigger political movement, plus his take on the race for Wisconsin governor. Topics covered in this episode: How Wisconsin became the early blueprint for Project 2025 Why Elon Musk’s involvement in Wisconsin politics backfired The strategy behind investing in small, local elections first Ben Wikler’s new book, This Is the Plan: How to End America’s Meltdown and Save Democracy The Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor and what comes next What’s ahead for Ben Wikler after leading the Wisconsin Democratic Party Watch The Dr. Kristin Lyerly Show every week for conversations on healthcare, reproductive rights, and Wisconsin politics. Follow Ben: www.thisistheplan.com Substack: benwikler.com Instagram: @benwikler Threads: @benwikler TikTok: @benwikler Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benwikler.bsky.social Facebook: @benwiklerWI Twitter/X: @benwikler LinkedIn:@benwikler Follow Dr. Lyerly: Substack: drkristinlyerly.substack.com Instagram: @drkristinlyerly Threads: @drkristinlyerly TikTok: @drkristinlyerly Bluesky: @drkristin4wi.bsky.social Facebook: @drkristinlyerly Twitter/X: @drkristinlyerly LinkedIn:@drkristinlyerly Dr. Kristin Lyerly is an OB-GYN based in northeast Wisconsin and a leading voice on healthcare, politics, and the issues shaping our collective future. As the named physician plaintiff in a landmark Wisconsin abortion decision, she brings a perspective to these conversations that goes beyond politics. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe to stay current on reproductive rights, health politics, all things Wisconsin, and everything else that matters. Producer: Abraham Lyerly Music: Nic Tierman Graphics: Nathaniel Gonzalez