The Republican nominee for governor in Wisconsin's Tuesday election could have a significant impact on the way elections are run in the state's main battleground, where former President Donald Trump is still working to overturn his 2020 loss and supporting candidates he perceives as allies.
While former Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch has the support of former Vice President Mike Pence and former Governor Scott Walker, Trump has endorsed billionaire Tim Michels, a self-described outsider who has committed $12 million in his campaign. Despite the fact that Kleefisch has said that decertifying the results is "not constitutional" and Michels has said that "everything will be on the table," both candidates erroneously claim that the 2020 election was rigged.
Trump and Pence, who were once colleagues but are now pursuing opposing paths for the Republican Party, are engaged in yet another proxy war over who would replace Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Similarly, they backed different Republican candidates in primaries in Arizona and Georgia, two swing states that, like Wisconsin, are predicted to play a significant role in the 2024 presidential race, in which both men may be candidates.
Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is the likely Democratic nominee to face Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, one of Trump's most vociferous backers, in the state's Senate election after Barnes' top competitors pulled out of the campaign late last month. Democrats believe Wisconsin is one of their greatest opportunities to flip a seat in the Senate, and the race is one of the last to be scheduled before the general election in November.
Wisconsin is a swing state where the results of the 2022 election will be closely watched as a predictor of the 2024 presidential election, thus the outcomes of Tuesday's election will have national repercussions. The governor elected this fall will take office in time to sign or reject any changes to election laws passed by the Republican-controlled legislature. Abortion, public funding for schools, and tax rates are just some of the topics that could be affected by the upcoming governor and U.S. senator.
In other news, on Tuesday, the Minnesota Republican Party is scheduled to nominate Dr. Scott Jensen, a critic of the COVID-19 vaccination who has been endorsed by the state GOP, to challenge incumbent Governor Tim Walz. A woman is expected to be nominated to represent Vermont in the House of Representatives, as the state is now the only one in the union without a female representative. The outgoing senator's seat is being contested by Representative Peter Welch, who will be replaced by the victor. Republicans in Connecticut will choose potential candidates to Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal after his two terms in office.
Both Michels and Kleefisch have said they do not see challenging the results of the 2020 election as a primary priority. They have, however, stated that they would do away with the bipartisan commission responsible for overseeing elections in Wisconsin and that they would back legislation prohibiting absentee ballots turned in by third parties and the use of ballot drop boxes in locations other than staffed clerk offices.
Former TV reporter Kleefisch served with Walker for two terms, including when he effectively ended collective bargaining for most state employees in 2011. This move sparked massive protests and a failed recall attempt. She says she's best positioned to win statewide in November and push through conservative priorities like a flat income tax, more money for police, and school choice programs.
Michels is a co-owner in the largest construction company in Wisconsin and has made it clear that he is committed to the success of the company his family founded. A big Republican contributor, he was defeated in 2004 for the Senate seat by Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold.
At a rally on Friday, Trump called Michels a "incredible success story." As part of the "failed establishment," he included Kleefisch and Vos in his attacks. He assured his base that Michels will easily win the primary and is the superior choice to defeat Evers.
Since his opponents, including Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, have all but conceded the Senate campaign, Barnes is the prohibitive favorite. Barnes, a native of Milwaukee and a former state legislator running to become Wisconsin's first Black senator, says he hopes to defend abortion rights and aid in the restoration of the middle class. After the U.S. Supreme Court reversed its 1973 rule that allowed abortion across the country, a state prohibition went into effect in June.
The preceding is a summary of an article that originally appeared on The Daily Cable.
