Dem state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski today announced her bid for the U.S. Senate.
Godlewski said she’s “different” than Ron Johnson. She charged the GOP incumbent tried to stop additional COVID aid for those in need, espoused conspiracy theories and defended those who stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Godlewski’s 3-minute rollout video features clips of Johnson, R-Oshkosh, saying, “I think we’ve given people enough help” and saying those who participated in the violent protest at the Capitol in January “truly respect law enforcement.”
“I don’t think you show respect by beating and killing police officers,” Godlewski fires back in her video.
Godlewski worked for the U.S. Department of Defense and co-founded an investment firm before spearheading an effort to beat back a GOP proposal to eliminate the state treasurer’s office. She then won the office in 2018 after giving her campaign $290,000.
She joins a Dem field that already includes Outagamie County Exec Tom Nelson, Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry and Wausau-area Dr. Gillian Battino. Others Dems considering a bid include: Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes; Steven Olikara, who helped found the Millennial Action Project; and state Sen. Chris Larson, of Milwaukee.
Godlewski is expected to attract the support of groups like EMILY’s List. The group’s campaign spokesman earlier this year said the group was “watching Wisconsin’s Senate race closely and are always thrilled to see strong women leaders like Sarah Godlewski consider running in these critical seats.”
Johnson, first elected to the Senate in 2010, hasn’t said yet whether he will seek a third term in 2022. During the 2016 campaign, he had pledged to serve just two terms if reelected. But he has since said full Dem control of Washington, D.C. has made him reconsider his promise.
Johnson’s campaign didn’t immediately comment on Godlewski’s announcement. But state GOP spokeswoman Anna Kelly took a dig at the state treasurer over a media report that Godlewski had failed to correct reports that she had obtained a master’s degree from a program she attended without graduating. Godlewski’s campaign said this week she hadn’t seen the misrepresentations and, thus, hadn’t asked for any corrections.
“Shady Sarah Godlewski has spent most of the last 20 years running away from Wisconsin, embellishing her accomplishments, lying about her resume and failing to deliver anything of substance. Wisconsinites deserve a Senator who wants to serve Wisconsin — not herself,” Kelly said.
Godlewski’s video seeks to contrast her background with Johnson’s.
She talks of growing up in Eau Claire, waiting tables in college and working to expand voter rights while saying the Oshkosh Republican has “wasted time and money holding hearing after hearing to push his pet conspiracy theories.
“I actually believe government should do right by people.”
