According to a new report from the Associated Press, former Lt. Governor and Wisconsin GOP gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch, “downplayed threats against school board members” and hinted that if they experienced death threats, threats to their children, and intimidation maybe they’d feel pressure to actually “do their job.”
Despite condemning violence four days earlier, Kleefisch appeared to advocate for harassment against parent volunteers and former educators when she told voters she “would love” for members targeted with anger during the pandemic to experience what she went through during the Act 10 union protests.
Associated Press: Kleefisch downplays threats targeting school board members
By: Scott Bauer | October 27, 2021
Key Points:
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“Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch downplayed threats against school board members, saying recently that she would “love” for those targeted with anger during the pandemic to have experienced what she and former Gov. Scott Walker did during the Act 10 union protests a decade ago.”
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“‘I would love for these folks to have gone through what Gov. Scott Walker and I went through during the recalls: The vuvuzelas and the drums, and the death threats, and the people who were showering inside the public restrooms, sleeping two-by-two in sleeping bags, banging on cars, threatening my children, spreading lies and intimidating us,’ Kleefisch said in audio obtained by the liberal advocacy group American Bridge 21st Century and provided to The Associated Press on Wednesday.”
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“‘Imagine if school board members felt something like that. Instead, all they feel is the pressure of their actual constituents asking them to do their job.’”
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“School board members are largely unpaid volunteers, parents and former educators who step forward to shape school policy, choose a superintendent and review the budget. But they have been frightened by how their jobs have suddenly become a culture war battleground. The climate has led a growing number to resign or decide not to seek reelection.”
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“Evers’ campaign spokesman had no immediate comment on Kleefisch’s remarks. But Mike Browne, of the liberal group A Better Wisconsin Together, said ‘advocating for violence, harassment and intimidation of community members serving on their local school boards is stomach turning. Someone willing to say this in pursuit of their own political ambitions has no business in public office.’”
Read the full report here.
