Republican Rebecca Kleefisch today formally launched her campaign for guv with a video that slammed Dem Tony Evers for a term that’s been “marked by failure and weakness.”
The former lieutenant governor released a 2 minute, 40-second video today that hit Evers on his reaction to the violent protests in Kenosha in August 2020 following the police shooting of a Black man as well as his refusal to cut off enhanced federal unemployment benefits.
She also says in the video it was a “disgrace” that Evers “sided with union bosses and liberal activists to keep our kids out of the classroom.”
Kleefisch, who served as lieutenant governor for eight years under Scott Walker, has been working toward a guv bid for the past year. She launched a PAC in 2020 to help GOP candidates as well as The 1848 Project Inc., a group created to espouse conservative ideas. She had a campaign kickoff planned later this morning in Waukesha County.
Kleefisch is the first high-profile Republican to announce plans to challenge Evers in 2022. Others who have been considering a bid include lobbyist Bill McCoshen, state Rep. John Macco and former U.S Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson.
Evers spokesman Sam Roecker fired back Kleefisch “left a devastating mark” on Wisconsin during her eight years as lieutenant governor by attacking public schools, cutting transportation spending and supporting “massive handouts” to corporations.
He also touted $4 billion in tax cuts that Evers signed during his first term.
“Governor Evers has taken bold action to not only clean up the mess she left behind, but he’s moving Wisconsin forward by making record investments in transportation and broadband expansion, restoring the state’s funding commitment to public schools, and supporting small businesses across the state,” Roecker said.
Kleefisch ticked off a series of conservative priorities in the video, such as sending National Guard troops to the southern border, banning sanctuary cities, hiring more police officers and fighting to “keep our elections safe and secure.”
At one point, Kleefisch says she’s clipped coupons to help make ends meet and is “on your side because I’ve walked in your shoes.” She also said she stood with Walker against “death threats to fight entrenched special interests” and will never back down.
“I have the plan and the backbone to get Wisconsin back up on her feet,” she says.
Watch the video:
https://youtu.be/bPvpIIE9yhw
