MIDDLETON, WI (WSAU) — Wisconsin Republicans did not endorse a candidate for Governor or Lieutenant Governor during Saturday’s state convention in Middleton.
After two ballots Rebecca Kleefisch held 54.63% of the vote followed by 42% for no endorsement.
Tim Ramthun received just over 2.5% of the vote. Candidates Tim Michels and Kevin Nicholson fell off the ballot after the first vote, receiving under 3.5% support.
Despite not receiving the formal endorsement, Kleefisch claimed victory. “I got my start in politics as a grassroots mom in the Tea Party movement,” said Kleefisch following the vote. “So now I’d like to thank the activists of the Republican Party of Wisconsin — the phone callers, the door knockers, the backbone of our movement — for their support. Without them, our conservative campaigns wouldn’t have the infrastructure necessary to beat Tony Evers this fall.”
Meanwhile, Democrats lashed out at their rivals, saying the no endorsement decision was a sign of “conservatives in chaos.” Adding that “[t]he vicious personal attacks between their candidates will continue to tear the GOP further apart. Rebecca Kleefisch, Tim Michels, Kevin Nicholson, and Tim Ramthun will continue to leapfrog one another as they race to the fringes of the Republican Party.”
No endorsement was given in the Lieutenant Governor’s race as well, which features Stevens Point Senator Patrick Testin. There was also no endorsement in races for the Attorney General and Secretary of State.
The GOP did endorse Ron Johnson in the US Senate race and Orlando Owens for State Treasurer.
Candidates needed to reach the 60% mark to receive the party’s endorsement.
Democrats will hold their state convention in La Crosse next month.
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