For Immediate Release
Friday, June 15, 2018
Contact: Brad Bainum, bradb@wisdems.org
Illinois Billionaire Dick Uihlein v. the Republican Party of Wisconsin
Can Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein beat down the Republican Party of Wisconsin and buy a U.S. Senate seat for his “spawn[ed], nurture[d]” candidate of choice, Kevin Nicholson?
MADISON — Leah Vukmir may have momentum after locking down the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s endorsement, but a new poll from Restoration PAC signals that Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein isn’t backing down from bankrolling his “spawn[ed]” and “nurture[d]” candidate of choice, Kevin Nicholson.
Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein still all-in for Nicholson
New Uihlein-funded Restoration PAC polling for Nicholson shows that Uihlein isn’t going anywhere and that he and his groups remain committed to beating down Walker’s RPW and buying the election for Nicholson. Restoration PAC — funded by $4,975,000 from Uihlein and his groups, this cycle — has spent more than $2.6 million on TV and radio ads supporting Nicholson and attacking U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
Two months out from the GOP primary, Kevin Nicholson’s out-of-state billionaire backer is still spending big to help him out.
Republican Party of Wisconsin starts joint fundraising committee with Vukmir
But while a single billionaire from Illinois tries to buy a Wisconsin election for Kevin Nicholson, the Republican Party of Wisconsin is redoubling its efforts to support its endorsed candidate, Leah Vukmir.
This week, the Party launched a joint fundraising agreement with Vukmir’s campaign, further putting the credibility of the RPW on the line in the GOP primary.
Ron Johnson says either Vukmir or Nicholson should drop out
Amid Dick Uihlein signaling his continued commitment to buying Kevin Nicholson a Senate seat and the Republican Party of Wisconsin further tying its fait to Vukmir’s, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is calling on either Vukmir or Nicholson to drop out: “I would hope some candidate would say: It’s not my time and withdraw and then move forward.”
“We don’t know if Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein can give the Republican Party of Wisconsin a beat down and buy a U.S. Senate seat for his ‘spawn[ed]’ and ‘nurture[d]’ candidate of choice, Kevin Nicholson — but we’re going to find out,” said Brad Bainum, DPW spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. “This is only going to get messier.”
