Can Kleefisch Compete with Half a Million in Outside Spending?

MADISON, Wis. – Kevin Nicholson’s deep-pocketed, dark money supporters released their first ad in the GOP primary this week, calling Nicholson a “doer” — but all his plans for our state amount to nothing more than political talking points. The half a million in spending for Nicholson could shake up the primary, given Rebecca Kleefisch might not be able to compete against Nicholson’s deep-pocketed supporters. 

The contact for the ad is Cabell Hobbs, who worked for none other than Senator Ted Cruz’s campaign committee.

Nicholson, who only decided to run for governor as a consolation prize after he couldn’t run for Senate, has centered his campaign around bashing other Republicans and has offered few concrete plans for our state. He has:

  • Said he wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but has offered no plan to replace it.
  • Criticized Gov. Evers’ plan to return the state’s record-breaking surplus to Wisconsinites through a tax credit, but has offered no plan of his own.
  • Only supported vague plans for public safety, including installing a “batphone” in the governor’s office, and opposed Gov. Evers’ $50 million investment in public safety and local law enforcement.
  • Proposed shutting down neighborhood schools entirely instead of plans to improve our public education system.
  • Supported banning all abortions, even in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is in jeopardy and blocking access to other types of reproductive health care services, including cancer screenings and fertility treatments. And you guessed it — he has no plan on expanding health care access.

Nicholson’s one concrete plan for our state is to undermine our democracy, abolish the bipartisan commission that oversees our elections, and give partisan politicians the power to control elections. Elections should be decided by the people, not politicians.

Fortunately for Wisconsin, Governor Evers takes a common sense approach to the challenges facing our state, finding solutions and delivering results that work for everyone in Wisconsin. That’s why he has a strong record of bipartisan accomplishments, including cutting income taxes for the middle class by 15 percent, making health care more affordable, and supporting small businesses and family farms.  Gov. Evers has supported more than 100,000 small businesses, and nearly 3,000 small businesses have opened up new storefronts on main streets across our state through the Governor’s Main Street Bounceback Program. Thanks to his leadership, Wisconsin has a budget surplus, low unemployment, and our economy is primed for continued success.

“This ad is laughable — the only thing Nicholson’s done since announcing his candidacy is sow doubt in our elections and make extremely divisive comments about his opponents,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Rapid Response Director Hannah Menchhoff. “Nicholson has had every opportunity to tell Wisconsinites how he plans to help small businesses and working families, but instead, he’s offered zero plans on any of the issues people really care about. Still, Rebecca Kleefisch must be shaking in her boots — it’s still early, but she’ll likely struggle to compete against Nicholson’s supporters’ outside spending. Grab your popcorn, the GOP ad wars are just getting started.”

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