Former Republican Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who formally announced her gubernatorial bid last week, slammed President Biden’s plan to have large companies require COVID-19 vaccination or do weekly testing.

“I think the government does not have the business telling people what should be done with their healthcare,” Kleefisch said on Sunday’s “UpFront,” produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com. “We shouldn’t have a mandate like that coming from government. That should be a decision between a patient and their doctor.”

Kleefisch, a cancer survivor who says she’s vaccinated, told host Adrienne Pedersen if she was governor today, she would sue to fight Biden’s vaccine mandate.

While Kleefisch said she believes Biden won Wisconsin last year, she said she supports investigations into the November 2020 vote.

“I think we need to do whatever it takes to make sure Wisconsinites do not feel disenfranchised,” Kleefisch said. “I know that there are people who are capable who are doing those investigations right now. I think they are capable of doing a full forensic audit, which is what I’m told they’re doing and we need to get to the bottom of it.”

Also on the show, Lt. Gov and U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes defended Biden’s vaccine mandate.

“This isn’t anything new. People have had to get vaccines to go to school, to join the military, this isn’t a new development,” Barnes said. “It’s astonishing how we act like we don’t require vaccines in general for people to participate in many segments of life.”

Barnes cited climate change and healthcare as priorities should he be elected.

“Unfortunately we run into a lot of roadblocks with the Legislature and we know we need federal help to be as bold as we want to be in addressing the climate crisis,” Barnes said. “When Republicans block expansion of Badgercare in the state we know the answer to that is a more universal form of healthcare from the federal government.”

Barnes left it to Milwaukee Ald. Chantia Lewis about how to proceed with her U.S. Senate campaign as she faces felony fraud charges. Prosecutors say she defrauded the city and her campaign of more than $21,000. Her attorneys say a crime didn’t occur.

“I will let her figure that one out,” Barnes said. “I will let her make the best choice about her campaign.”

Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas said on the program should he be elected Milwaukee mayor, he would focus on the city’s finances, crime and public health.

“There’s a number of issues staring Milwaukee in the face,” Lucas said, citing the city’s pension issues, revenue challenges, crime, lead poisoning in children and seniors’ access to health care. “I want to be the person who can bring all sides together.”

The Biden administration nominated Mayor Tom Barrett as ambassador to Luxembourg.

If confirmed, Barrett would step down as mayor and Common Council President Cavalier Johnson would become acting mayor. Then there would be a special election.

See more from the show:
https://www.wisn.com/upfront

Print Friendly, PDF & Email