MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Donald Trump-backed Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate, a former two-term lieutenant governor endorsed by dozens of lawmakers and a state representative pushing to decertify the results of the presidential election ‘state of 2020, largely agreed on most issues in their first debate on Sunday,
The debate between Tim Michels, Rebecca Kleefisch and Trump-endorsed state Rep. Tim Ramthun came just over two weeks before the Aug. 9 primary. A Marquette University Law School poll last month showed Michels and Kleefish in a tight race, with the winner advancing to face Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Conclusion of Sunday’s debate:
DECERTIFICATION OF THE 2020 ELECTION
Although Michels has the support of Trump, who continues to push for the decertification of his loss in Wisconsin, Michels said he would not pursue it as governor. Kleefisch also said he would not seek to decertify President Joe Biden’s victory, a move that attorneys and Republican legislative leaders have repeatedly said is unconstitutional and cannot be done.
“It’s not a priority,” Michels said of decertification. “My priorities are electoral integrity, crime reduction and educational reform. … I have to focus on beating Tony Evers this fall and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Kleefisch said he thought the 2020 election was “rigged” but would not try to decertify the results.
Ramthun, who has based his candidacy on decertification, was the only one who said he would try to do so.
“I’m surprised it’s the only one,” he said.
Biden’s victory in the state has endured two recounts, numerous lawsuits, a nonpartisan audit, a review of a conservative law form and an investigation by a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice hired by Republicans. Neither candidate offered any new evidence of widespread fraud on Sunday.
ABORTION
All the candidates support an 1849 Wisconsin law banning abortion that went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This law provides only one exception to protect the life of the mother.
Kleefisch, noting that she is the only woman in the race, said she did not support other exemptions, but also that “miscarriage care and ectopic pregnancy treatment are not abortion.”
Ramthun said she would emphasize adoption as an option for women with unplanned pregnancies, while Michels said she would strengthen counseling and other services to help such women.
INSIDER vs. OUTDOOR
Kleefisch, who served eight years as lieutenant governor under Scott Walker, touted his experience in his administration, citing the passage of Act 10 that effectively ended collective bargaining for most public workers .
She called herself an “effective, conservative reformer,” noting that she won statewide four times. This includes a 2011 recall election.
Michels, who along with his brothers co-owns the state’s largest construction company, Michels Corp., touted his outside expertise and said he would “turn Madison upside down.”
“I’m sure there’s a lot of fraud and abuse and inefficiency in government,” he said. “I’ll find it, I know how.”
He also took a subtle jab at Kleefisch, without mentioning her by name, in his closing statement.
“If you want to keep politics as usual, vote for the usual politicians,” he said.
UNCONDITIONED MOMENTS
Michels was repeatedly asked if he supported giving incentives to an Obama-era program that prevents the deportation of thousands of people brought to the US, but he did not respond. People on the show are often called “dreamers.” The program is called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and the moderators referred to it by its acronym DACA.
“Yes or no for DACA students too, the incentives?” moderator Charles Benson asked Michels.
“What kind of students?” answered.
“DACA,” said moderator Shannon Sims.
“DACA? DACA students?” Michels replied. “I want to look at the details of everything before I agree to anything.”
In March, Ramthun was asked about his comment that he wanted to punch Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in the nose after Vos kicked Ramthun out of a meeting related to the election results of 2020. The question drew loud applause from the audience and Ramthun said his comments were misinterpreted.
Ramthun said Vos had acted like a bully and said they should punch each other in the nose.
“I didn’t say I wanted to punch him in the nose,” Ramthun said. “I said you have to back off and say no.”