MADISON, Wis. — It’s been another brutal week for Radical Rebecca Kleefisch and her floundering campaign for governor. Let’s rewind and look back at Kleefisch’s terrible week:
- On Sunday, failed Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson doubled down on his intention to primary Kleefisch, saying “after losing 11 of the last 12 statewide elections in Wisconsin, we also need a conservative candidate who can win a general election in 2022.” This is after Nicholson said Kleefisch’s proposals were “dumb as a bag of hammers” last year.
- On Monday, Kleefisch was trounced in fundraising after it was announced that Gov. Tony Evers has “millions more than Kleefisch headed into election year” (over $7 million more, in fact). Kleefisch also refused to announce how much she had left on hand, suggesting that Kleefisch is burning through cash to keep her campaign afloat, while Gov. Evers has a record-breaking $10.5 million.
- Kleefisch’s sub-par fundraising numbers even attracted more potential challengers. Also on Monday, hedge fund millionaire Eric Hovde was reportedly “nonplussed” and “unfazed” by Kleefisch’s numbers as he threatened to spend millions of his own money on the race. Looks like Radical Rebecca will have to spend the money she’s scrounged together on a very long and expensive primary.
- But Kleefisch’s brutal week didn’t stop there. On Tuesday, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin launched a TV ad against Kleefisch’s violent, divisive rhetoric. Kleefisch has called for building an “army” of “paid fighters” and “mercenaries,” as well as asking supporters if they were ready to have their “knives out.” WisDems’ initial ad buy is over $85,000, drastically outspending the measly amount sources say Kleefisch’s campaign spent on a recent misleading ad.
- You’d think at this point that Kleefisch’s brutal week would let up? But nope, when a week is this bad, there’s no stopping it. On Wednesday, reports surfaced that even Tommy Thompson was considering a primary challenge to Kleefisch rather than retiring. Thompson’s entry into the chaotic primary would “immediately scramble” the Republican field. Not only is Kleefisch one of Wisconsin’s most divisive politicians, apparently she’s one of the most divisive Republicans.
All in all, it’s been a brutal week for Radical Rebecca Kleefisch — but still not as bad as when Donald Trump refused to endorse her. Better luck next week, Team Kleefisch!
