WAUKESHA, Wis. — They say good fences make good neighbors, and for the owners of a Waukesha duplex, good Halloween decorations may be the answer. The two people who live next door are from opposite political positions. But as the sign out front says, “Divided by politics, united by Halloween.”
TMJ4
Neighbors Ben White (left) and Sheila Andersen (right) live in a duplex in Waukesha. Ben and Sheila say their garden, filled with opposing political signs, often attracts the attention of passersby.
It’s not hard to see why people do a double take when driving by Ben White and Sheila Andersen’s mansion in Waukesha.
“We were always driving by your house and we were like, we have to stop, we have to ask,” says TMJ4 reporter Rebecca Kropp.
“You’re not alone,” Ben said.
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Ben White (left) and Sheila Andersen (right) stand in front of their Waukesha duplex. Their garden is filled with opposing political signs, right in the middle of it. Halloween decoration.
Ben and Sheila may share a wall, but they don’t share the same political views. Sheila’s garden is covered in signs supporting Vice President Karama Harris for president. Meanwhile, Ben supports former President Donald Trump.
“Are you guys yelling at each other and taking autographs?” Rebecca asked.
“No, that’s not true,” Ben said.
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Ben White stands in front of a Trump sign on his side of the duplex.
It is said that it all started eight years ago during the 2016 presidential election with President Trump’s signature.
“My friend put up a Trump sign there, and that’s all we had. Then she started putting up other little signs, so I’m going to add to that.” Ben said.
“We have kind of a friendly rivalry where we go back and forth about who we support,” Sheila said.
In the battleground state of Wisconsin, suburban counties like Waukesha County are considered important. It represents the third most populous county in the state. Waukesha County, which has historically been overwhelmingly Republican, went to Trump in 2016 and 2020 with more than 60% of the vote. But the number of voters choosing Trump in Waukesha County has declined by about 10,000 votes over the past four years.
Waukesha County 2020 Election Results
Joe Biden 103,906
Donald Trump 159,649
(Difference of 55,743 votes)
Waukesha County 2016 Election Results
Donald Trump 142,521
Hillary Clinton 79,200
(63,321 votes difference)
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Ben and Sheila have different opinions on where this year’s vote will go.
“I’d say mixed,” Ben said.
“I feel like things are changing,” Sheila said.
But there is one thing they overwhelmingly agree on. It’s just that I love Halloween.
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Sheila Andersen stands on her side of the duplex holding a sign supporting Harris. She also stands behind a handmade sign that reads, “Divided by politics, united by Halloween.”
“I don’t know if it’s what brings us together, but it’s something we share and we both enjoy and we can decorate the whole garden,” Sheila said.
“America is so divided right now, and we live next door and the division continues. I have no problem with her.”
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Neighbors Ben White (left) and Sheila Andersen (right) live in a duplex in Waukesha.
“Are you guys friends?” Rebecca asks.
“Yes, I think so,” Sheila said.
“It’s true,” Ben said.
In-person absentee voting begins Tuesday, October 22nd.
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