Rebecca Kleefisch talks with voters at the Wisconsin Valley Fair. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUKESHA, WI (WSAU) — Tim Michels is the Republican nominee for Governor.
“Thanks to you, we took on the Madison Establishment and won,” said Michels in his victory statement, which was released just after 10:30 PM. “Tonight we celebrate, but then, first thing tomorrow, let’s get to work.”
Michels celebrated the victory in front of a packed house in Waukesha this evening, touting his record and highlighting the failures of Tony Evers and Joe Biden.
“I love this great state, but because of the failed leadership of Tony Evers and Joe Biden, Wisconsin currently is a mess,” Michels continued.
Just before that statement was released former Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch told her supporters that she was conceding the race, adding “I urge you all to stay in the fight because the fight now is truly against Tony Evers and the liberals who want to take away our way of life.”
While the formal call didn’t happen until after 10:30, national observers noted early that things weren’t breaking Kleefisch’s way. Henry Olsen of the Washington Post called the race at 9:40 PM, saying Michels’ win in Fond du Lac and Racine counties would be too much for Kleefisch to overcome. He also noted that she was winning in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, but not by enough to cover losses elsewhere in the state.
Michels will run alongside Roger Roth, who outlasted a handful of rivals to win the nomination for Lieutenant Governor. He pulled over 30% of the vote. His closest rival, State Senator Patrick Testin of Stevens Point, spent most of the night at around 17% support.
The duo will now challenge Incumbent Governor Tony Evers and his new running mate, Representative Sara Rodriguez. She outlasted Peng Her with more than 74% of the vote in that race.
Evers wasted no time taking a shot at Michels and Roth. “After a scorched earth primary that’s seen constant attacks and a dizzying race to the radical right, the Republican Party has chosen the most extreme and divisive nominee possible, one that will tell Donald Trump anything just to keep his endorsement. From abortion and voting rights to gun safety and public education — Tim Michels has staked out the most extreme positions possible, with the goal of dividing our state and pitting neighbors against one another,” said Evers, in a statement that hit media inboxes minutes before Michels’ released his own statement.
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