GOP Senate Primary Infighting Gets Even Worse, Somehow

For Immediate Release
March 26, 2018
Contact: Brad Bainum, bradb@wisdems.org

GOP U.S. Senate Primary Infighting Gets Even Worse, Somehow
 
“Credit where due: Vukmir and Nicholson are innovators when it comes to finding new ways to tear each other down.”

MADISON — How do they do it? Say what you will about Republican U.S. Senate candidates Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson’s hardline commitment to a right-wing policy agenda that enriches corporate special interests and the wealthy at the expense of hardworking Wisconsinites, the two primary opponents are remarkably creative when it comes to finding new ways to viciously attack each other. 

Here are the latest entries in the “nasty” GOP primary log:

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bice: Relative of GOP candidate Kevin Nicholson labels Scott Walker a ‘sissy,’ Leah Vukmir a ‘swamp creature’ in tweets
   
  • “Steve attacked state Sen. Leah Vukmir, the other GOP candidate in the race, labeling her a ‘crooked politician,’ a ‘Pharisistic Swamp Creature,’ Nurse Ratched, a ‘cry baby,’ ‘B-squad material,’ ‘stale bread,’ a ‘liberal Democrat’ and a ‘deceitful little snake.'” 
     
  • “Steve…also took after Gov. Scott Walker for associating with Vukmir…’Yo Gov – you’re starting to look like a sissy running around the state with Leah,’ Steve wrote last week under her handle @PJsMask. ‘She’s taking away your manhood and credibility.'”
     
  • “Brandon Moody, a spokesman for Nicholson, downplayed the issue, calling it ‘goofy, small-ball stuff.'”
     
  • “But a Vukmir aide said the social media posts crossed a line. ‘It’s appalling to see a member of Kevin’s family say such vile things about Leah,’ said Jessica Ward, campaign manager for Vukmir. ‘There is no place for this sort of filth in the Republican Party.'”
     
• Leah Vukmir: “You know what you get with me…it’s the roll of a dice with my opponent.” [The Jay Weber Show, 3/26/18]
   
  • “[Nicholson] lists a slew of people and groups from D.C. who support him. And I think the people in Wisconsin want to decide who their next U.S. Senator is — I don’t think they want D.C. deciding.”
     
  • “I truly believe this primary is between a Republican who has delivered on her conservative agenda, and one who merely says that he will — you know what you get with me, Jay, I think it’s the roll of a dice with my opponent.”

“Credit where due: Vukmir and Nicholson are innovators when it comes to finding new ways to tear each other down,” said Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. “The GOP primary keeps getting nastier, but Vukmir and Nicholson have been steadfast in their shared commitment to a reckless, right-wing agenda that includes taking health care away from up to 30 million Americans and gutting Wisconsinites’ Social Security and Medicare benefits.”

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Brad Bainum <bradb@wisdems.org>
Date: Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 1:03 PM
Subject: “Nasty” Wisconsin GOP U.S. Senate Primary Still A Mess

For Immediate Release March 14, 2018 Contact: Brad Bainum, bradb@wisdems.org “Nasty” Wisconsin GOP U.S. Senate Primary Still A Mess Even potential candidate Eric Hovde is joining in the personal attacks MADISON — Today’s latest Wisconsin GOP U.S. Senate primary headline says it all: “Wisconsin GOP Senate candidates bicker over debates as campaign turns nasty.” But what else is new? Wisconsin’s Republican Senate primary turned nasty months ago, and it’s gotten increasingly messy and divisive, since. (Yes, including the time that Vukmir and Nicholson signed a so-called “unity pledge” in early January… then went right back to attacking each other within hours.) “Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir’s deeply unpopular policy plans include taking health care away from up to 30 million Americans, gutting protections for Wisconsinites with preexisting conditions and cutting Social Security, Medicare and nursing home coverage,” said Brad Bainum, DPW spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. “Of course they would rather focus on attacking each other instead of talking about the issues.”  And it isn’t just Nicholson and Vukmir. The GOP primary has become so nasty — and so utterly petty — that even Wall Street hedge fund manager and potential candidate Senate candidate Eric Hovde is getting in on the action. At a Dane County GOP event last Saturday, Hovde warned that there’s “a lot to be worried about” regarding Nicholson’s ongoing dishonesty about his past. Here’s a look at the Wisconsin GOP Senate primary’s escalating nastiness: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin GOP Senate candidates bicker over debates as campaign turns nasty   WITI-TV: Vukmir Calls Nicholson ‘A D.C. Candidate’ As GOP US Senate Hopefuls Fight For Recognition   Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Reince Priebus backs Leah Vukmir, slams Kevin Nicholson   Wisconsin State Journal: Wisconsin GOP Senate Candidates Spar Hours After Signing ‘Unity Pledge   AP: Vukmir Calls On Senate Opponent Nicholson To Disavow Bannon   WITI-TV: Gloves Come Off In GOP U.S. Senate Primary: Vukmir Says Nicholson Isn’t Ready For Congress   RightWisconsin: Nicholson Silent On Club For Growth’s Attack On Walker Budgets