In this update:
- Upcoming Events
- Gubernatorial Race
- U.S. Senate Race
- Post-Session Updates
Upcoming Events
Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Debates
The Michael Best Strategies Wisconsin team is proud to invite you to a series of Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Debates. The Debates will take place over two days, with the Democratic Debate on Wednesday July 20th from 1:00-2:00 PM and the Republican Debate on Thursday July 21st from 1:00-2:30 PM. The debates will be held at the UW-Milwaukee Mainstage Theater, and will air on Spectrum News 1. This event is hosted in partnership with Spectrum News 1, UW- Milwaukee, and Wispolitics.
Tickets are first come, first serve. Please RSVP to Sabrina Stencil at Sabrina.Stencil@michaelbest.com or 608-416-1703 by July 15th.
Gubernatorial Race
Nicholson drops out of gubernatorial race
Kevin Nicholson, a business consultant and former marine announced this week that he has decided to end his campaign for governor. This comes as GOP primary opponents former Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and construction executive Tim Michels have become the evident front runners in the race. In the most recent Marquette University Law School Poll Kleefisch and Michels were within the margin of error of each other, whereas Nicholson was at 10% and has not put put any paid media campaign in recent weeks. Nicholson’s decision also comes just one day after the close of the most recent campaign finance reporting period which will show the first look at his fundraising operation since getting in the race in January.
Nicholson spoke to conservative radio show host Mark Belling, who he told that he looks forward to taking time to reflect and on spending time with his wife and kids. He also told Belling that Michels’ personal financial resources gave him the only option for his campaign of going negative, which he did not wish to do. Nicholson told Belling that he will never stop caring about the state of Wisconsin and the nation, stating, “You’ve got to stand up and try and do the right thing. How does that manifest in the future? I don’t know exactly.”
Reaction to Nicholson’s Exit:
Primary Opponent Rebecca Kleefisch: “I’d like to thank Kevin Nicholson for the hearty debate and competition to make our state and conservative movement better. Moving forward, I humbly ask Nicholson’s supporters to join our team. I’ve taken on the Madison swamp before and won, and this fall, I will beat Tony Evers.”
Primary Opponent Tim Michels: “As I’ve said repeatedly on the trail, I respect Kevin Nicholson. I respect his service to our nation as a Marine and his work with No Better Friend Corp. This race was better for him being in it, working as hard as he did, and pushing his outsider message about the need to shake up the Madison machine. I will work hard to earn the support of his supporters, as I continue to grow our coalition. It is imperative we defeat Tony Evers this fall and that’s our continued focus.”
Kleefisch releases ad attacking Michels on support of gas tax increase
In a new ad released this week, former Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch is seen pumping gas into her minivan while she dings President Joe Biden and Governor Tony Evers, and her primary opponent Tim Michels for high gas prices. In the ad Kleefisch pivots and names her primary opponent Tim Michels by name for the first time in an ad and says that he [Michels] “pushed for years to raise our gas tax while getting rich from massive government contracts. Tim Michels is out for himself.”
Michels responded to the ad calling it false. In a statement he said, ““When politicians are shocked to find themselves losing, they go negative out of desperation. So it is sad that the former Lieutenant Governor has decided to go negative by falling in line with politics as usual.” He went on to say that he did not and does not currently advocate for a gas tax, and that his focus remains on beating Tony Evers. However, as the ad cites, last week Wisconsin Right Now published an article which notes Michels connections to groups that have long advocated for raising the gas tax in Wisconsin, in other states, and federally.
Michels internal polling shows him up 9 points in primary
This week, Tim Michels campaign told Wispolitics.com that his internal polling had shown him up 9 points in the GOP primary against Rebecca Kleefisch. The survey, which was taken just shortly before Kevin Nicholson pulled out of the race, found that 44% of likely GOP primary voters supported Michels, 35% backed Kleefisch, 11% favored Nicholson, and 0% favored State Rep. Tim Ramthun.
The survey was taken of 600 likely GOP primary voters and was conducted between June 29-July 1st by Public Opinion Strategies. The survey was conducted using live callers over landlines and cellphones and had a margin of error of -4.3%. The campaign additionally said that no messages were read about the candidates before the head-to-head questions were asked. Public Opinion Strategies is rated an A-minus pollster by FiveThirtyEight.
PolitiFact releases rating of Governor Evers campaign promises
This week, PolitiFact released an update to its Evers-O-Meter which tracks progress on promises Evers made as a candidate in 2018. Just as it was done with Evers’ predecessor Scott Walker, PolitiFact assigns rating based on outcomes, not intent or effort on the part of Evers who has faced a Republican-held Legislature. Ratings are assigned on the status of the promise and are “In the Works,” “Compromise,” Promise Kept,“ or ”Promise Broken.“ The six promises recently rated are:
- Raise minimum wage to $15/ hour, with automatic inflationary increases— In the Works
- Assure high-speed broadband access to all homes, businesses— Compromise
- Support ending solitary confinement— Promise Broken
- Work to cut prison population in half in coming years— Stalled
- Prohibit businesses from asking applicants about criminal histories— Promise Broken
- Expand background checks and put in place gun restrictions— Promise Broken
U.S. Senate Race
Mandela Barnes announces he has raised more than $2.1 million in second quarter
Thursday morning, democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Mandela Barnes announced that he had raised more than $2.1 million in the second quarter of the year. In April, Barnes finished with $1.6 million cash on hand and raised nearly $1.7 million in the first three months of the year. Barnes’ campaign did not reveal how much he had spent during the period or how much he had in the bank to end June, but did reveal he has now raised $6.1 million since getting into the race.
With federal campaign finance reports due July 15, no other top Senate campaigns have released their fundraising numbers yet. In the last filing period, Sen. Ron Johnson raised more than $5.9 million, not including money brought in through his leadership PAC. Barnes’ democratic primary opponents Alex Lasry and Sarah Godlewski reported $3.9 million and $2.1 million in receipts for the first three months of the year.
Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates hold virtual forum
This week, the Dane County Democratic Party hosted a two hour long forum with seven of eight primary candidates for U.S. Senate. All of the candidates responded to a variety of questions, but most candidates answered at least one focused question on the economy and inflation. Throughout the event, no candidate made any direct attack on the others.
State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski said that she would tackle inflation by going after oil companies and fining them $2 million per day for profiteering. She also said she would support a gas tax holiday, would work towards affordable childcare and senior care, and would additionally work to lower prescription drug costs.
Former Senior VP of the Milwaukee Bucks Alex Lasry said that he wants to bring back manufacturing jobs and repeal Trump-era tax cuts which he says have raised taxes on the middle class. Lasry also criticized Sen. Johnson for lack of action to address inflation.
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes said that he wants to ensure that small Wisconsin farms remain a large part of the state’s agriculture industry while other parts continue to grow. Barnes said that the key to doing so is making sure the market is competitive.
Outagamie County Exec Tom Nelson said better trade deals with countries such as China would help improve America’s economic security and increase jobs. He said he wants to negotiate deals “from the perspective of the American worker.”
Millennial Action Project founder Steven Olikara in his closing remarks called to put a price on carbon emissions, adding he wants to ensure clean energy entrepreneurs get the resources they need to make the U.S. a leader in the industry.
Watch debate here
Ron Johnson releases ad criticizing Biden for migrant deaths
This week, Senator Ron Johnson released a new ad in which he criticizes President Joe Biden for migrant deaths. In the ad, Sen. Johnson explains how the Democrats’ open border policies are causing out of control human, sex, and drug trafficking on both sides of the border. (MBS Note: this ad was pulled from airwaves by the Johnson campaign on July 6, 2022)
Lasry releases ad calling himself “make-it-in America Democrat”
Alex Lasry’s campaign released a new TV ad this week which focuses on the economy and his record as a “make-it-America Democrat.” In the ad, Lasry recounts his efforts building the Fiserv Forum using progressive values, sourcing 80% of materials and services from Wisconsin, and paying workers at Fiserv Forum at least $15 an hour minimum wage with a union.
Post-Session Updates
Study finds decreases in Wisconsin’s ranks for school spending, tax burden
A study from the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum found that Wisconsin’s national ranking for school spending fell in 2020, falling from 24th to 25th. Wisconsin spent $12,740 per pupil in 2020, which is 5.6% less than the national average. Since 2002, Wisconsin’s national ranking for PreK-12 spending has either declined or stayed the same each year with only one exception.
The authors found a correlation in the decline of ranking for school spending with a decrease in both Wisconsin’s state and local tax burden and its national tax ranking. Between 2002 and 2019, Wisconsin’s tax burden ranking went from 5th to 23rd, which the authors attributed to state elected officials who “…have sought to limit property and income taxes.” Furthermore, the authors predict that Wisconsin’s school spending may drop further in the coming years. They note that the 2021-23 state budget included caps on school revenues, which could further limit their spending.
Elections Commission to send out mailers to 178K unregistered residents
The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) announced that they would send postcards to about 178,500 residents who appear to be eligible to vote but are currently not registered to do so. The WEC is required to send these postcards before each general election as part of their membership agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a multi-state, non-profit organization that helps state governments maintain their voter databases.
Those who receive the postcard may register by mail, at their clerk’s office, or at their polling place on Election Day rather than registering online. The postcard can also serve as a proof of residence should the name and address on the postcard match the information on the voter’s registration form. In comparison, the state sent about 1,280,000 million postcards in 2016, 384,000 in 2018, and 198,600 in 2020.
Legislative Council Study Committees
- Committee on Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities — “…review existing impediments to employment and job training for individuals who are incarcerated or recently released and to recommend legislation following its review.” (Membership)
- Committee on Occupational Licenses — “…review the current occupational licensing system administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.” (Membership)
- Committee on Shared School District Services — “…review current barriers to shared administrative or other services between school districts, and explore statutory changes or creation of incentives to encourage efficiencies.” (Membership)
- Committee on the Commercial Building Permitting Process — “…focus on the commercial plan review process within the Department of Safety and Professional Services and municipalities, timelines for environmental permitting, and the role of the Commercial Building Code Council.” (Membership)
- Committee on Uniform Death Reporting Standards — “…focus on options to implement more comprehensive uniform death reporting standards across Wisconsin, including the advantages and barriers to implementation of such standards.” (Membership)
- Committee on WIsconsin National Guard Sexual Misconduct Procedures — “…directed to recommend legislation that enhances oversight of the Wisconsin National Guard as it related to sexual misconduct, ensures state law compliance with relevant federal requirements, and amends the Wisconsin Code of Military Justice where necessary.” (Membership)
- Committee on State-Tribal Relations — “…directed to study issues relating to American Indians and the American Indian tribes and bands in this state and develop recommendations and legislative proposals relating to these issues.” (Technical Advisory Committee Membership, Study Committee Membership)
DSPS Secretary Crim leaving Evers Administration, Hereth announced as Secretary-designee
Governor Evers announced this morning that Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Secretary Dawn Crim will be leaving the Evers Administration on August 1st. In a statement, Governor Evers said, “Secretary Crim has been absolutely critical to my administration from the very beginning, and her leadership has been indispensable on several fronts—from her efforts to ensure we have high standards for those serving and caring for Wisconsinites across our state to monitoring and preventing the misuse of prescription drugs to her work as chair of my Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council and so much more.”
Governor Evers also announced that he will be appointing Assistant Deputy Secretary Dan Hereth to Secretary-designee upon Secretary Crim’s departure. Hereth joined the agency in January 2019. Prior to that he had served as the deputy district director for Congresswoman Gwen Moore since 2007. In a statement Hereth said “I am looking forward to continuing this work moving forward, and I appreciate the opportunity from Gov. Evers to serve in a new role at the Department of Safety and Professional Services.”
Fundraising Opportunities
A list of all upcoming fundraiser opportunities can be found by clicking the button below. For any questions or more information, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.
