Party has space until November 

BY RICK A. COALWELL 

Freelance writer 

The Republican Party of St. Croix County hosted a grand opening for a facility in Hudson recently. Republican Party Chairman of St. Croix County Matthew Rust cut the ribbon for the Victory Center at noon on Saturday, Feb 4. The center is located at 121 2nd Street, Hudson, Wisconsin. “We are fortunate to get the space again,” Rust said. “It is still fresh in people’s minds from the last presidential cycle. It went very well and will be remembered from 2020.” Rust said the space is to help serve as a location where members can come together and support all local candidates. Matthew Bocklund, former chairman from 2021 to 2023, said it will be a place for local people to come in for information and ask questions. Both Rust and Bocklund said there would be merchandise available via donation. Rust noted that a lot of merchandise was obtained by people living in St. Croix County, but also many people came across the river from Minnesota to get campaign material and yard signs. Rust said that the Victory Center is a 2300 square-foot area. He emphasized the need for a facility amenable to accommodating the GOP with large gatherings for the elections. He said that, for example, Saturday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony had 70 to 80 people in attendance. Bocklund also said there will be a live podcast at the Victory Center discussing immigration issues, and the space will be apt for that. “There is a need for a place for year-round activities and exploring ideas,” Bocklund said. Rust said they will have the space until the end of November. He said they would like to keep the space permanent, but that they do not know if that will be possible at the moment.