KRONENWETTER, WI (WSAU) — Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch has a simple message for those considering a vote between her and her top rival in the GOP Primary Tim Michels.
Check me out.
“They [state Republicans] wanted a primary and they wanted everyone vetted. Obviously I have served this state for eight successful years; ushering in a conservative renaissance,” said Kleefisch. “[Making Wisconsin] for a time the most admired conservative state in America. I think I’m largely vetted. I’m begging people to dig deep and look at my record. Check me out.”
She also questioned Michels’ stance on several issues including gun control and abortion. “He’s publicly said he doesn’t know how he feels about components of the second amendment- that he needs to check with his team. I just don’t think that if you are a pro-life Republican you should switch your position on abortion three separate times.
“I’m prepared for this job,” she added.
During a campaign stop at the Marathon County GOP HQ in Kronenwetter on Thursday Kleefisch says she’s got nothing to hide in her record. That includes an underage drinking ticket from her college days, which she says the Michels camp has been shopping around.
“I suppose that’s a little more personal than some of the things that we see journalists bringing up every day [about him]; his ties to lobbying groups, one of which he was the President of, who lobbied to raise the gas tax. We also know there are single-bid contracts out there and he’s publicly said he wants to put teachers- not kids- first in education,” said Kleefisch.
Michels received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and on Friday got the blessing of former Governor Tommy Thompson, who also considered a run after his time as the interim President of the UW System was up. Shortly after Thompson’s announcement, Kleefisch released a statement reminding voters that she has the endorsement of more than 50 conservatives in the State Legislature. She also says she’s been endorsed by more than half of the Sheriffs in Wisconsin.
