A Wisconsin city that is the most “politically divided city in America” is being torn apart by warring locals ahead of the election.
The dividing line in ‘friendly’ Algoma is so deep that it even runs between man and woman.
The city of 3,200 residents has always been fiercely contested, but this election has ratcheted up the tension even further.
Residents have engaged in shouting matches in the streets and even say they fear being “shot” for expressing their political allegiance too openly.
Meanwhile, the intersection between the homes of two politically opposing neighbors has become so overrun with competing campaign signs that it’s been dubbed the “crazy corner.”
The city of Algoma, Wisconsin is one of the most politically divided cities in the US
Dennis Paul, a Republican and Abbey Bridges, a Democrat, rrecently became embroiled in an online feud that spilled over into the real world when Paul, 65, began hurling insults at Bridges, 40, as she walked her dog, the New York Times reports.
Bridges eventually called the police after claiming Paul had threatened her, which he denied.
Bridges said she has resorted to keeping her sunglasses closed to avoid further confrontation.
“He called me a lot of things that really didn’t make sense,” she told the NYT. “Now I avoid him like the plague.”
Paul admitted to yelling but said he has “no problem” with his neighbors, even though he said people honked and gave him the finger over his Trump signs.
Their dispute began over an anonymous post on the Algoma Community Facebook page urging people to “choose kindness” and not tamper with the political lawn signs.
The seemingly innocuous request sparked a thread of more than 100 comments, as feuding locals got into a heated argument.
The response to the mild-mannered message is perhaps indicative of the political climate in Algoma, which is now taking up more and more police time.
Locals have become involved in heated online debates that have permeated everyday life
Algamo resident and proud Republican Dennis Paul ended up talking to his Democrat-voting neighbor, resulting in him calling the police
In the last election, Democrats won by just six votes in Algamo, which is currently too close to call
Police Chief David Allen has already dealt with teenagers knocking over Kamala Harris signs, a Democratic supporter receiving anonymous hate mail and countless complaints about campaign signs where they shouldn’t be.
“It seems like it just makes my job harder,” Chief Allen said. “And it makes my officers’ jobs harder. It’s hard enough on their jobs to do the things they have to deal with.”
Across the political divide, Algoma is a charming waterfront city best known for its picturesque harbor and small-town feel.
The city’s marketing slogan is “friendly Algoma,” something local Jacqueline Mary pointed out during the back and forth about the anonymous Facebook post.
‘Please let’s try to deliver on the marketing message!’ she insisted among the many loaded messages.
Margins at Algoma have always been tight. In the last election, Joe Biden won by just six votes.
The local coffee club, run by Dusty Moore, meets every Friday and attracts a politically diverse group.
The wife of Stan Johnson, chairman of the Kewaunee County Democratic Party, is the sister of a Republican official who also lives in town. The two find a way to keep peace in their family despite their different beliefs
The police chief described how his forces are overworked in dealing with the many incidents related to political tensions
But one member recalled his fear after Moore showed up to a meeting wearing a “white dudes for Harris” hat.
“I’m sitting here thinking, are we on a street where there are a lot of Trump people?” said Melanie Shaw. ‘As if we were in an open area. Are we getting shot at or something?’
Amid the tensions, however, many locals are finding a way to live in harmony with those on the other side of the aisle.
Republican Party official Jacob Blazkovec says his sister, who is married to Democratic Party Chairman Stan Johnson, is helping keep the peace.
“Our views are politically different,” Johnson said. ‘But that’s her brother and I’m her husband. She’s the one who keeps the family together.’
But Blazkovec revealed there are divisions even in his home, with his wife Peggy, an independent woman, refusing his request to put up a Trump sign.
“She says, ‘I won’t vote for that man,’ and I think it’s because of his character,” Blazkovec said. “So we agree to disagree, and our votes will be nullified.”
Two residents living opposite each other have started releasing so many competing campaign chants that their street has been dubbed ‘crazy corner’ by locals
City Clerk Erin Mueller also expressed confidence that the city would get through the election unscathed.
“This is a very small community, where everyone cares about everyone, no matter what your political beliefs are,” she said. ‘Everyone sits at the same table and drinks coffee from the same pot.’