Wisconsin
Michels goes after Kleefisch in Wisconsin governor’s race
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Days after saying that operating unfavorable adverts is “simply dangerous coverage” and that politicians who do it are “shedding,” the Wisconsin Republican candidate for governor backed by Donald Trump has launched his first assault advert towards his major opponent.
Tim Michels launched the advert this week, a blistering assault towards Rebecca Kleefisch that faults her not backing Trump in 2016 and types her as “the final word Madison insider.” Kleefisch, who’s backed by former Vice President Mike Pence, is a former two-term lieutenant governor.
The winner of Tuesday’s major will advance to face Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in what is anticipated to be one of many hardest-fought elections within the nation this 12 months, with implications for the 2024 presidential race on this swing state. Evers has stood as a block to the Republican-controlled Legislature because it has tried to vary election legal guidelines and enact a bunch of different conservative coverage objects.
The Michels advert, circulated Thursday by the Democratic Governors Affiliation, started airing earlier this week, after Michels stated in a televised city corridor that “I’ve by no means had a unfavorable advert run by my marketing campaign on this race.
“And the reason being we’ve by no means had a single piece of enterprise by speaking dangerous concerning the competitors,” stated Michels, who co-owns power and pipeline building firm Michels Corp. “And the reason being, it’s simply dangerous coverage, and for those who get a popularity of doing that in my business … individuals instantly disrespect you.”
That wasn’t the primary time Michels took a stand towards unfavorable adverts. Again in July, after Kleefisch launched the primary in a collection of assault adverts towards Michels, he got here out strongly towards it.
“When politicians are shocked to seek out themselves shedding, they go unfavorable out of desperation,” Michels stated on July 6. “So it’s unhappy that the previous Lieutenant Governor has determined to go unfavorable by falling according to politics as regular.”
Michels spokesperson Chris Walker defended the marketing campaign going unfavorable, saying Thursday it was in response to spots being run by Kleefisch and her supporters.
“The tone of the marketing campaign has been set by her after weeks and tens of millions spent mendacity about and attacking Tim,” Walker stated. “When your opponent does that for weeks on finish, it may’t go unanswered without end.”
Kleefisch’s spokesperson Alec Zimmerman stated Michels going unfavorable was an indication that Kleefisch “has all of the momentum.”
The assault advert comes amid a blitz towards the election, with Pence campaigning Wednesday for Kleefisch, calling her a “confirmed conservative.” Kleefisch served as lieutenant governor below then-Gov. Scott Walker and has amassed endorsements from Walker, legislative leaders, dozens of Republican lawmakers and others.
Michels is operating because the outsider candidate, touting his Trump endorsement. Trump has scheduled a Friday rally in Waukesha County, simply three miles from the place Pence appeared for Kleefisch, as a part of a closing push.
Michels, in his advert, notes that Kleefisch didn’t again Trump in 2016. She, together with Walker, supported Texas Sen. Ted Cruz who gained Wisconsin’s major that 12 months. Cruz has endorsed Kleefisch this 12 months. After Trump grew to become the nominee, Kleefisch supported him in 2016 and 2020.
Michels’ place on Trump additionally shifted this week. On Monday, on the city corridor, he refused to decide to backing Trump if he ran for president in 2024. However lower than 24 hours later, Michels reversed himself.
The newest Marquette Legislation College ballot, launched in late June, confirmed Michels and Kleefisch operating tight with each other.