Nelson, Gallagher say the other lacks courage

As GOP nominee Donald Trump struggles to compete in the state, a congressional race in northeast Wisconsin is drawing new attention and charged statements by the candidates accusing each other of lacking courage.

In the 8th Congressional District, a new ad by former Marine and Republican Mike Gallagher slams Democratic Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson for saying that Gallagher lacked moral courage.

"Joining the Marines the day he graduated college. Two combat tours, yet Nelson questions Gallagher's courage...That's cowardice," the ad says.

The latest exchange may be a sign that this race, which seemed out of reach for Democrats a month ago, might be back in play with Trump's recent troubles.

Nelson has criticized Gallagher for not denouncing Trump's negative statements about women and minorities, saying that amounted to not showing moral courage.

On Gallagher's ad, the Nelson campaign has blasted back that the Democrat never questioned Gallagher's military service, saying the television piece was misleading and should be withdrawn. In making that case, the Nelson campaign pointed to one of the Democrat's past statements on Gallagher and Trump.

"My opponent has stood shoulder to shoulder with Donald Trump after everything he has said, all of the vile comments. That question is about moral courage. Whether or not the candidate for this office has the moral courage or not to oppose Donald Trump, and I will oppose him," Nelson said in that previous statement.