Harmony, Wisconsin's non-polarizing township

Harmony Township, on the Madison Road from Chicago, is a well-kept secret that may be worth sharing in these tense and dangerous political times.

Near Janesville, Wisconsin, on the Illinois border, the small village of 2,500 people lives up to its name, with a 50-50 Democratic-Republican electorate that has coexisted in peace, respect, and harmony for years.

“They say that everyone in Harmony lives in harmony,” says township clerk Lisa Tollefson, whom we met a few days ago at the local government offices in the district’s fertile countryside. Yes, it is. People grew up and attended school here. Everyone knows each other. Sometimes they discuss politics and agree. They never let it ruin relationships.”

In Starview Heights, a row of bungalows under mature trees leads to Valerie Grover’s house, a young Democrat in her thirties whose neighbor Gordon has come to help her with garage water damage.

She continues, “We have polar opposite political views,” as he silently returns to his house across the street, reluctant to stake his political claim that day. However, as good neighbors, we can discuss it and communicate. Many bridges have been established between us. It would be a shame to ruin them politically. Why divide this pleasant neighborhood?

Former police officer and canton chairman Jeff Klenz, 68, recently ended a videoconference meeting in the council’s weekly meeting room. “Always cordial,” he says. He loves talking about his “very special” canton.

The man with the defrocked biker-like beard says, “Politics is important, but in everyday life, we have many other things to manage.” There are grocery costs, farm work, and business restraints. Naturally, we consider president and governor. That’s not the main point.”

Adding: “This is how politics should be done nationwide. People forget we are all Americans, not just Democrats or Republicans. Even if you disagree with others’ opinions, we should all care about the country and its people.”

A righteous canton

Harmony has similar election seasons, but unlike other regions of the country, there are no signs on the grounds to flaunt one’s political colors and announce them, sometimes ostentatiously, to neighbors. “It’s a question of respect,” says Joe Kincade, owner of a tiny organic market garden near massive maize and soybean farms. “We don’t want to offend others with our political positions,” he says, adding that he avoids politics and prefers his garlic, which is growing.

Harmony’s political cycles are considerably more consistent.

John Johnson, a public policy scholar at Marquette University, told the X network last April that Harmony Township voters have consistently voted for the winner in the last 13 Wisconsin presidential and governorship elections. A “prescience” shared by Merrimac, a 500-person town north of Madison.

Harmony voted for Donald Trump by 36 votes in 2016 despite having the same percentage of whites as the state (86%), slightly more multi-ethnic residents (12%, compared to 2.2% statewide), and no Black communities. That year, the populist defeated Hillary Clinton by 22,748 votes to become Wisconsin’s first Republican winner since Ronald Reagan. Joe Biden won the district’s popular vote in 2020 with 78 more votes than the Republican, including 20,682 votes that returned the state to the Democrats.

However, 2024 estimates are becoming questionable.

“I was a Republican, but I’m going to vote Democrat,” retired firefighter Kent Shea said as he loaded bikes into his car for a vacation. “Trump is a criminal and arrogant. I strongly disagree.”

In the shade of a towering tree that cools her patio, Cathy Klenz, wife of the canton president, first denounces the national political scene’s rage and violence, saying she doesn’t understand it. She promises to vote for Trump’s reelection. “My groceries have increased in the previous two years, so I only buy what I need to prepare hamburgers. November will see his victory. Yes, for sure. We may resume our former lives.”

Former GM Janesville auto assembly plant worker Robert Lund hesitates in the shade of his garage. The facility brought the region (and inhabitants) a century of wealth until closing in 2019. I am still somewhat Democratic at the plant. I find this election campaign strange.”

“I’ll be Kamala Harris,” says Valerie Grover. “That’s who I’m campaigning for.” Naturally, with regard for others.

Tim Tollefson, spouse of Township Clerk, is confident that the election will go well and have a 90% turnout, as in prior years. The election day atmosphere is jubilant. Many have not seen one other in weeks and are glad to be together. Unlike elsewhere in the country, there is little election tension or suspicion. People don’t discuss politics when voting. Instead, they visit and show each other photos of their kids and grandkids.”

He dares to predict.

“Democrat or Republican? Will be close. With a smirk, he said, “The Harmony election will go to the party with the most votes.”

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