U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, is out with a new TV ad featuring Republicans supporting him, including former GOP state Sen. Brian Rude.
Spending in the upcoming week is almost even between Kind and those backing him and Van Orden and the groups supporting his campaign. From now through Election Day, Kind’s side has a nearly $1 million advantage, according to updated numbers from Advertising Analytics.
Rude, who served in the Legislature from 1983-2001 and worked as a lobbyist for Dairyland Power Cooperative, opens Kind’s ad noting he’s been a Republican all his life, but is voting for the La Crosse Dem this year.
Shannon Clark, of Soldiers Grove, then says he’s a “lifelong Republican, too” and is supporting Kind because “together we’ve worked hard to bring broadband to our communities.” He is the general manager and CEO of Richland Electric Cooperative. A check of the state’s campaign finance database shows he’s made contributions to candidates from both parties, but has generally supported Republicans. He also regularly contributed to the Richland County GOP.
Rude and Clark individually praise Kind as someone who brings people together and has represented Republicans and Dems.
“That’s real leadership, the kind of leadership we need today,” Rude says.
