Robert La Follette had begun advocating the…

Robert La Follette had begun advocating the replacement of party caucuses and conventions, the traditional method of partisan nominations for office, with primary elections, which allow voters to directly choose party nominees.

He also denounces the power of corporations, charging that they have taken control of the Republican Party.

These progressive stances have become increasingly popular in the wake of the Panic of 1893, a severe economic downturn that had caused many to reevaluate their political beliefs.

La Follette runs for governor of Wisconsin for the second time in 1898, but he is once again defeated by Edward Scofield in the Republican primary.