NBC News reporters tracked seven bellwether counties as part of the "County to County" project for the 2022 midterm elections. However, as the Omicron variant swept its way across the country last winter, even Democratic voters were in a sour mood, showing pandemic fatigue amid Biden’s stalled legislative agenda. Democrats doubled down on the message even as polls showed GOP Sen. Ron Johnson gaining momentum with a message on crime. For young voters in Dane County, it was a message that worked. Democrats were enthusiastic, and they'll continue to look to Dane County as key to their path to victory in 2024 and beyond.

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