Trump To Campaign for Michels In Waukesha
Announcement comes as Sen. Ted Cruz says he will back Kleefisch.
Republican candidate for governor Tim Michels makes a campaign stop to speak to potential voters Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in Oconto, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Former President Donald Trump will be in Wisconsin four days before the primary election campaigning for Tim Michels, his pick in the Republican gubernatorial race.
The former president’s organization on Tuesday announced the “Save America Rally” in Waukesha on Aug. 5, saying he would be delivering remarks in support of Michels “and the entire Wisconsin Trump Ticket.”
That endorsement appeared to give Michels a boost. While Kleefisch had been the clear frontrunner in the race, a Marquette University Law School poll that came out later in June showed her lead had disappeared and she and Michels were essentially tied among Republican voters.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming President Trump back to Wisconsin, and I’m honored to have his support in this election,” Michels stated Tuesday.
Kleefisch still has the support of many establishment Republicans in Wisconsin, including former Gov. Scott Walker. She also gained the support Tuesday of Texas Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who typically has been a supporter of Trump.
On Tuesday, Cruz tweeted about his endorsement, saying “Rebecca will fight for a stronger economy, school choice so parents are back in charge of their kids’ education, and she will work to protect life” and the Second Amendment.
The former president was already slated to come to Milwaukee on Aug. 20 as part of what organizers are calling the America Freedom Tour. That event will feature other speakers, including Trump’s son Donald Trump, Jr. and his son’s fiancée, former Fox News commentator Kimberly Guilfoyle. Tickets for that event cost as much as $1,995, according to the event website.
Trump to campaign for Michels in Waukesha before primary was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Both Michels and Kleefisch are arch-conservatives. I’m sure they both voted for Trump. It’s not surprising though that Trump is backing the man. Kleefisch probably rejected his inappropriate sexual come-ons.
I think that an endorsement from Trump with Michaels boasting about in his tv ads could influence moderate conservatives and independents to vote for Evers. The Trump brand of political activity is a turn off for many voters. who want to move on from politicians who reflect his lies and engage in the type of demagoguery he is known for. Michaels might have had a chance if he had promoted himself like a Tommy Thompson kind of Republican and not a Trump reproduction.
Michaels and Trump both visiting Wisconsin. Has Tim sold his Connecticut mansion yet?