Before the midterms, I had never seen a more united front among our democratic coalition. If we had three more Democratic senators, we could have capped Insulin at $35. We even got Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to pass historic legislation. We can do this by helping Mandela Barnes to the United States Senate against Ron Johnson. We must also work hard to re-elect Tony Evers as our Governor. Because over on the other side of the aisle, we have a mess. Some say that it's because Tim Michels is the Trump-endorsed candidate. However, research suggests that it goes much further back than that.
Rewind to when Scott Walker was in the Assembly and Milwaukee County Executive. His chief of staff was Kelly Rindfleisch. Everyone remembers that name from the doe scandal from the previous administration. She pleaded guilty to campaigning on county time. But who was she campaigning for? The answer to that is she was setting up fundraisers for Brett Davis. A state representative was running for Lt Governor. According to emails by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, she was setting up a fundraiser with Fon Du Lac County Republican Party Chair Dan Feyen.
Brett Davis was locked in a tight primary with Superior Mayor Dave Ross, Nick Voegeli, Robert Lorge, and TV Anchor and WTMJ contributor Rebecca Kleefisch. In an email, Rindfleisch dismissed Kleefisch as "fluff" and, after she skipped one political forum, wrote, "I hope she keeps missing them. And topples over on her high heels." Said another Walker staffer, "I cannot see how anyone can take this woman seriously (1) Gilkes walkers campaign manager called her "radioactive." and "We do not have anything to do with Kleefisch." One suggested that Mayor Ross should drop out and endorse Brett Davis to "beat her ass." Make it a two-person race.
Besides rumors of Brett Davis being walker's guy. Kleefisch won the race and served eight years as Lt. Governor. Walker later called her a trusted ally. He is now traveling the state campaigning for a Lt. Governor they never wanted. Walker has even gone on record with conservative news media alleging a cabal of Republican insiders is trying to ensure she does not win tomorrow. Now Walker is not the most honest politician. He is a snake regarding honesty. But when it comes to making a case, it's hard to ignore the facts. As John Green says. "Let's go to the thought bubble."
It was all but sure thing that Rebecca Kleefisch was exploring a run for Governor. Her primary opponents were businessman Kevin Nicholson and State Assemblymen Timothy Ramthun. Enter Tim Michels from Michels corp, where his brother serves as CEO. Walker alleges that this has to do with the gas tax. Kleefisch and Walker took heat for not raising the gas tax from the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association. Bill McCoshen served as Tommy Thompson's Commerce Secretary and lobbyist for an organization called Michael Best Strategies, wanted a primary challenge to Kleefisch. If what Walker said is true. I am guessing that McCoshen's connection to former Governor Tommy Thompson heavily influenced getting Michels the Tommy Thompson endorsement. Something that could back up Walker's claims that MCoshen used to lobby for the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, where Tim Michels was the President. (1)
The second part of Walker's claim involves former Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus. Walker claims that Priebus was the man behind the Trump endorsement. Priebus now serves as Chief Strategist and President of Michael Best Strategies. It's also worth noting that Bill McCoshen is still a partner at Michael Best's law firm that is attached to the consulting firm.
So far, I could see where Walker could be connecting the dots. Each person has a connection to Michael Best Strategies, and there is an employee of Michels corp on the WBTA.
The last pillar is John Gard. The Assembly Speaker from 2003 to 2007. Gard was CO-Chair of the Wisconsin JFC in 1999. JFC has input on the state budget and would have to work with McCoshen and Thompson.
So. Is this the kind of group wanting to derail a Kleefisch campaign? Walker does have some merit in his case. Could they have convinced Nicholson to get out of the race because Nicholson would pull votes away from Michels?
The primary is August 9; make sure everyone has a plan to vote, especially if you live in a third congressional district.
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