Illinois businessman Dick UIhlein is urging Kevin Nicholson to run for guv, saying the former Marine would have his “full support and commitment to win the primary and general elections.”

Uihlein’s statement Monday came the same day Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce endorsed Rebecca Kleefisch.

After Liz Uihlein donated both to Kleefisch and a PAC supporting her guv bid, insiders were watching for signs of what her husband may do. Dick Uihlein-backed groups spent an estimated $11 million supporting Nicholson’s unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

Dick UIhlein statement suggests the wealthy Illinois business couple will be writing competing checks in the guv race once Nicholson gets in as expected.

Dick Uihlein said in his statement he is strongly urging Nicholson to run for governor, adding he is one of the “very few people that can shake things up in the state.”

“He’s an outsider who bravely served as a Marine commander and has built a career in business while also galvanizing conservatives throughout the state through No Better Friend Corp.,” Dick Uihlein said.

Liz Uihlein donated the maximum $20,000 to Kleefisch’s campaign and gave $200,000 to Freedom Wisconsin.

See the full statement here.

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