Ben Brist Responds to GOP Meddling and Attempts to Defeat Him in AD-61 Primary
“They know I’m the Democrat who will beat Bob Donovan,” says Brist, about efforts to defeat him.
GREENDALE, Wis. — Ben Brist released the following statement in response to a dark money Republican group sending mail to Democratic primary voters in Wisconsin’s 61st Assembly District attacking him and elevating one of his primary opponents just one week before the August 11 primary election:
“Republicans are attacking me because, as an Army veteran and sixth-generation Wisconsinite, they know I’m the best candidate to beat Bob Donovan this November, and they want to handpick their opponent,” said Brist. “They say I ‘parachuted’ into this district, but the only parachuting I’ve ever done was out of military aircraft, as an Army paratrooper serving this country.”
Republican operatives intervening in Democratic primaries to elevate candidates they view as weaker has become an increasingly common tactic nationwide. The Jobs First Coalition political fund, the group responsible for the mailer, has previously spent millions of dollars to defeat Democrats in the 61st district and has close ties to GOP leader Robin Vos. The photo of Brist featured on the mailer also appears to have been generated by artificial intelligence to deceive voters, raising further transparency concerns.
Ben Bristi is a West Point graduate and Army veteran running to flip the 61st Assembly District. He is endorsed by WEAC, AFT Local 212, VoteVets, New Politics, and several community leaders. He served for 7 years in the United States Army and is a sixth-generation Wisconsinite. While attending the United States Military Academy and on active duty, Ben voted absentee at the address where he was raised. Ben and his wife were thrilled to return to Wisconsin after finishing their educations and active duty military service, and are proud to call Greendale home.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
