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With only a few months before the midterm elections, there are still competitive primaries within the Republican Party. For one of the tightest, you must travel straight to Wisconsin, where Tim Michels and Rebecca Kleefisch seek to clinch the GOP nomination for the state’s governorship. The winner will face Tony Evers (D) in what promises to be one of the tightest races of the year.
In 2018, Evers denied Scott Walker a third term and prevailed by just 1.1%, with more than 2.5 million votes cast. That year’s “blue wave” swept away the then-governor and facilitated the Democrat’s arrival at 99 Cambridge Road.
The national context changed after almost two years of Joe Biden in power, and, in contrast, the political waters are brewing a “red wave” that could generate an opposite effect to that of 2018.
Kleefisch and Michels, toe to toe for the Republican nomination in Wisconsin
Next Tuesday, August 9, will bring Rebecca Kleefisch and Tim Michels face to face. While they don’t differ much in terms of ideology, the fact remains that personality and message will push one or the other to the finish line.
Kleefisch was a former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin during Scott Walker’s term (2011-2019). A journalist and former Miss Teen USA 1994 contestant, she is a self-described proud conservative Wisconsin mom.
She announced her campaign in mid-2021 and started as the early favorite due to the high name recognition she holds in the state. Within her platform, the following topics stand out: empowering parents and breaking the “education monopoly,” school choice programs, eliminating the personal property tax on small businesses, creating a sunset process for state regulations and spending, not funding abortion providers with taxpayer money, and promoting energy independence for the United States.
Her candidacy has the support of Mike Pence, Ted Cruz, Nikki Haley, Scott Walker, Kim Reynolds, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, among others.
Her rival will be Tim Michels, a renowned businessman in the state who is endorsed by Donald Trump. He is the Vice President of Michels Corporation, a company with 8,000 employees and one of the largest construction companies in the state and the country.
Although not a career politician, he unsuccessfully sought a seat in the state legislature and was the Republican nominee for Senate in 2004.
His campaign is based on not standing “in the way of economic growth,” empowering parents by signing the Parents’ Bill of Rights, “draining the Madison swamp,” incentivizing hiring more police officers in dangerous neighborhoods and eliminating the personal property tax.
Both recently met in a debate and in a town hall meeting, where it was clear that there is little difference between the candidates in terms of their policies. They almost entirely agreed on their vision of the economy, education, security, and abortion.
Donald Trump’s endorsement may tip the scales in Wisconsin
It is worth remembering that the weight of the 45th president’s support is decisive in Republican primaries at the national level, and this one could be no exception. Trump announced his support for Michels last June, just days after the candidate announced his candidacy.
“Wisconsin needs a Governor who will Stop Inflation, Uphold the Rule of Law, strengthen our Borders (we had the strongest borders in history just two years ago, now we have the weakest!), and End the well-documented Fraud in our Elections. Tim Michels is the best candidate to deliver meaningful solutions to these problems, and he will produce jobs like no one else can even imagine”, the former head of state wrote.
In contrast, Scott Walker, former governor of Wisconsin, was asked about the election and called on people to vote for Kleefisch, whom he knows very well. “She is bold, tested, has an aggressive agenda to get things done for parents, the economy, keeping our streets safe. That is Rebecca Kleefisch”, he assured.
As for Donald Trump’s support for Michels, which is known to play an essential role in Republican primaries, the former governor expects “a lot of people who voted for Donald Trump 2016 and 2020 to turn around and vote for Rebecca Kleefisch because she is the one who has tested. Even before Donald Trump was in office, we were doing common sense conservative reforms, and Rebecca Kleefisch was with us all the way”.
“I think on the issues, we are talking about the same sorts of things; it’s just the contrast out there. On issues like the economy, pushing back against Joe Biden and Tony Evers, those are things conservatives and republicans are united on. It’s just a matter of tone and personality”, said the former governor.
What do the polls say?
The polls promise a head-to-head battle in the elections that will take place next Tuesday, August 9. Although Kleefisch was the early favorite, she lost ground to Michels, who could boast the support of the former president.
By mid-July, the businessman was already leading in the numbers, although the latest poll places the former lieutenant governor ahead by just 2%. Whatever the points, what is certain is that the Republican primary for governor of Wisconsin promises an ending similar to that of the first race in the movie “Cars.”
Joaquín Núñez es licenciado en comunicación periodística por la Universidad Católica Argentina. Se especializa en el escenario internacional y en la política nacional norteamericana. Confeso hincha de Racing Club de Avellaneda. Contacto: [email protected] // Joaquín Núñez has a degree in journalistic communication from the Universidad Católica Argentina. He specializes in the international scene and national American politics. Confessed fan of Racing Club of Avellaneda. Contact: [email protected]