Various Milwaukee and Madison commentators recount what they think about conservative Senate candidate Leah Vukmir.

MILWAUKEE, WI - “Leah Vukmir probably doesn’t need much of an introduction if you pay attention to politics at all… Leah Vukmir has been the one who has always been trying to push the envelope and keep the Republican Party conservative, and move it more conservative… In terms of a track record on the issues, you can’t beat Leah Vukmir’s record. She has been there and backed conservative causes as long as she’s been in the Legislature. She’s been staunch on Act 10, she’s one of those who has never buckled… I think it comes down to this: Kevin Nicholson has to convince people that he’d be better than Leah Vukmir. I don’t think Leah has to convince anybody that she’d be good, because any Republican in Wisconsin who has been paying attention knows that she’d be a great United States Senator because she’s been a great Wisconsin State Senator." – Mark Belling, WISN

"If the Shepherd Express hates you and Milwaukee Magazine hates you and Bruce Murphy hates you and some of the Republicans that are fighting to increase road taxes and gas taxes and usage fees and import tollways… I’m struggling to find how that’s a negative here…" – Dan O’Donnell, WISN

“Vowing to bring the "Wisconsin Way" to the U.S. Senate, state Sen. Leah Vukmir of Brookfield entered the race for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin next year.” – Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Leah Vukmir. Very well known to voters in southeastern Wisconsin. A proven conservative who certainly adds a very important voice to this campaign. I am thrilled to see her getting in the race. — Jeff Wagner, WTMJ

“Republican state Sen. Leah Vukmir made it official Thursday that she’s running for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin, casting herself as the only true conservative in a primary contest that includes a former Democrat.” – Scott Bauer, Associated Press

“You know, I’m somebody that tweeted back at you probably about six weeks ago, ‘Run Leah Run!’ And I’m glad you’re making this decision today to go forward and get into that race. You are a conservative, and a woman. That’s kind of a rare thing on the national level, so I’m excited about that. But the fact that you’re going to take that Wisconsin story to Washington, I think that is significant.” — Steve Scaffidi, WTMJ

“The best primary is where you have a clear choice that is conservative because they have 16 years worth of a resume to prove it, not just because they claim to be…[Leah’s] a conservative we can trust.” – Ed Willing, The Resurgent

“Among Vukmir's legislative victories is a full repeal of the state's prevailing wage law, set to be approved in the state budget later this month. Vukmir has also championed the expansion of taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools throughout her tenure in the Legislature. She became politically active as an education advocate when her daughter was in kindergarten.” – Jessie Opoien, The Cap Times

“Vukmir is a policy wonk. She led the fight against Obamacare expansion in the state, proposed reforms to national common core standards, supported concealed carry, castle doctrine (defending your home), veteran benefit reforms, statewide school choice, right-to-work, prevailing wage reform (mandated pricing for public works), holding the line on property taxes, freezing state tuition at state colleges, and dozens of other first-time conservative changes. As Wisconsin has slowly replaced the aging progressive legacy of our state with conservative policies that work, Vukmir has usually been on the front line.” – Ed Willing, The Resurgent

Democrats comment on announcement by Tea Party, billionaire-backed, Koch brothers disciple candidate.

MADISON - Thursday, a Tea Party, billionaire-backed, Koch brothers disciple announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate. State Senator Leah Vukmir has a long history in Madison of putting her extreme, Tea Party agenda ahead of the needs of Wisconsin families. Leah joins former College Democrats of America Chair Kevin Nicholson in the Republican primary.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning commented, “For over a decade, Leah Vukmir has been in Madison putting her extreme agenda ahead of the needs of Wisconsin families. Billionaires back her because she’s served as a national leader of a billionaires special interest group, introducing their legislation in Wisconsin and hurting Wisconsin families. She prioritizes tax breaks for billionaires and corporations over working people. She cuts education and healthcare to pay for massive tax breaks for the super wealthy. And what's worse, Leah Vukmir's extreme policies haven't done anything to address rising costs for Wisconsin families.”

Promises to bring the Wisconsin way to the Senate.

BROOKFIELD, WI – Conservative Republican and State Sen. Leah Vukmir announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate by releasing a new video Thursday.

You can watch the video here or below.

Watch "The Wisconsin Way."

Statement

“I first got into politics because of my kids," Leah said. "I challenged the school system so my children could have the education they deserved, and that’s why I’m running today. If you want to change things, you need to stand up and lead.

“As a nurse, it is in my nature to take action when things need to get done. I stood with Gov. Walker and real conservatives to enact successful reforms that keep jobs here in Wisconsin, keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket, and make our communities better places to raise a family.

“And, in the face of liberal intimidation tactics, I’ve kept up that fight to make our state a better, safer, and more prosperous place for my children and yours.

“The people I’ve spoken to from across our state believe Tammy Baldwin would rather stand with liberal Democrats and Washington elites than listen to what is important to hard-working Wisconsinites.

“The Senate desperately needs someone who will never back down — a proven, consistent conservative who understands the type of determination it takes to finish the job. I intend to bring the Wisconsin way of working hard and never giving up straight to Washington.”

****

Click here to learn more about Leah.

MADISON - As Milwaukee County begins to recover from over a decade of having a fraud for Sheriff, it was reported today that David Clarke's loyalty to President Trump has finally paid off with an insider job at a shady pro-Trump super PAC.

"From decorating his uniform with fake military badges to lavishing in the Tea Party speaking circuit while inmates died in his jail, David Clarke's entire taxpayer-funded political career was only made possible by defrauding the very people he failed to serve," said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning. "Milwaukee County taxpayers will finally be relieved of footing the bill for David Clarke's real job: a mouthpiece for Donald Trump."

MADISON - There’s no more important investment than investing in people.

It starts by fully funding Wisconsin’s K-12 education and making sure each kid has every opportunity to succeed.

Investing in education creates a ripple effect. When students and their families succeed, businesses want to invest in Wisconsin. Our middle class grows. Our state economy thrives.

That’s why I’m running for governor.

Scott Walker is not investing in our schools. His failed leadership with the state budget is hamstringing school districts. As a result, more than 1 million Wisconsinites have voted to raise their own taxes to make up for Governor Walker's failure to provide school districts with adequate resources.

Wisconsin’s kids are taking the brunt of Scott Walker’s failure to lead.

Add your name and join me in demanding Governor Walker and the state legislature make investing in K-12 education a priority.

As State Superintendent, I see firsthand what it means to give our kids the education, tools, and life-skills so they can succeed in our 21st century economy.

Scott Walker’s actions, whether it’s failing to fully fund our schools, refusing to accept Medicaid, or turning down dollars for rural broadband, show he has no interest in lifting people up.

I’m running for governor to lift hardworking Wisconsin families up. I’m running to make investing in K-12 education and our kids a priority. I’m running to make Wisconsin a state where businesses can hire good, educated workers – and grow our economy.

Friends, add your name if you agree we must make investing in Wisconsin’s schools and kids a priority.

Tony

Will launch people powered & crowd funded campaign for governor on Tuesday, September 12. Could really use your help now.

ALTOONA - Wanted you to know that Mike will be officially launching his campaign for governor on Tuesday, September 12. He is returning to the Clark County farm where he grew up to announce his plans for the 2018 election.

Between now and then there are signs to be made, literature to be printed up and countless other start-up expenses to be covered. We could really use your help to kickstart the campaign.

Contributions up to $200 per person are being accepted online, or checks can be mailed to: Commoners for Mike McCabe, P.O. Box 67, Altoona WI 54720.

Thanks!

Christine
People Powered & Crowd Funded

Mike McCabe to announce plans for Governor campaign from childhood home September 12.

ALTOONA - Longtime government watchdog and veteran reformer Mike McCabe is returning to the Clark County farm where he grew up to announce his plans for the 2018 election.

The announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12. The farm is located about five miles north of Curtiss at W2953 Hickory Road.

Nicholson voted in the 2008 Democratic primary and he should admit it rather than lie say Democrats.

MADISON - As has been reported and quickly contradicted by former College Democrats of America Chair and recently turned Republican for U.S. Senate, Kevin Nicholson voted in the 2008 Democratic primary. Today, Politifact Wisconsin dug into Nicholson's claim and noted "what records are available indicate that Nicholson did not cast a 'no preference' vote in 2008 as he says he did."

"Kevin Nicholson is a slick politician who will say anything to get elected," said Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokeswoman Gillian Drummond. "Nicholson voted in the 2008 Democratic primary and he should admit it rather than lie to appease his billionaire backer. The people of Wisconsin cannot trust this out-of-state billionaire's puppet to do anything but allow Dick Uihlein to pull all his strings."

Sen. Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee) congratulates Clarke for leaving, says Milwaukee will be better off.

MADISON – Without explanation, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke tendered his resignation yesterday. This follows news from June that he failed to secure a position at the US Department of Homeland Security. Following the announcement, Sen. Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee) offered the following statement;

“This is truly a good Thursday. I want to thank Sheriff Clarke for his decision to step down. After years of abuse at his hands, the people of Milwaukee can sleep soundly tonight.”

First ad of Governor's race to play in Milwaukee, Green Bay, & Wausau.

MADISON - Tony Evers’ campaign for governor today released the first ad to hit the airwaves of the gubernatorial campaign targeting Governor Scott Walker and President Donald Trump’s bad Foxconn deal. The radio ad will air in the Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Wausau media markets.

In the ad entitled, “Foxconned,” Evers takes aim at the massive $3 billion giveaway to a foreign corporation for a project that won’t break even for 25-years. Evers condemns the deal’s failure to require that new jobs go to Wisconsin residents and that building contracts go to Wisconsin contractors. He closes by criticizing the exemption of Foxconn from environmental protections.

In the ad Evers says, “Did you know the Trump-Walker deal will take Wisconsin taxpayers twenty-five years just to break even? That means a kid born today could graduate college by the time we might see a nickel on the return for our investment.” Evers later remarks, “Sounds good for Foxconn… but what about the rest of us? Think if we invested that money in our schools instead.”

Evers concludes the spot stating, "I’m running for governor because we need a new approach that will grow the economy for the middle class and invest in Wisconsin workers and our future."

Listen to the radio ad titled, “Foxconned,” at the link below:
https://youtu.be/h5jTKwzvvd0

FURTHER BACKGROUND
In his gubernatorial announcement speech last week, Evers criticized the awful Trump-Walker Foxconn deal by comparing it to the favorable deal the City of Verona made with Epic Systems to create jobs in Wisconsin. Evers said in his remarks, "Take a look at Epic in Verona. They invested in Wisconsin because we already had a talented workforce. And they did this all with $9 million dollars of city of Verona investment - not $3 billion like Foxconn. Epic has created almost 10,000 jobs. It’s on a campus almost entirely off-the-grid in terms of its use of utilities…There is a huge difference between this strategic investment and the awful deal Scott Walker and Donald Trump cut with Foxconn."

Evers went on to say that, as Governor, he would re-negotiate the Foxconn deal to require the company to pay its employees a living wage of at least $15 an hour in exchange for the state support it will receive in taxpayer funds.

FULL AD SCRIPT:
Have you heard the saying, if it’s too good to be true… it probably is? Well, the Donald Trump-Scott Walker three-billion-dollar deal for Foxconn might sound good…until you look at the fine print. For starters, did you know the Trump-Walker deal will take Wisconsin taxpayers twenty-five years just to break even? That means a kid born today could graduate college by the time we might see a nickel on the return for our investment.

But worse, those promised Foxconn jobs aren’t even required to be jobs for Wisconsin residents. The contractors that build the facilities aren’t required to be Wisconsin contractors. And the deal would exempt Foxconn from critical environmental protections.

Sounds good for Foxconn… but what about the rest of us? Think if we invested that money in our schools instead. I’m Tony Evers.

I’m running for governor because we need a new approach that will grow the economy for the middle class and invest in Wisconsin workers…and our future.