State Republican Party going all in on Leah Vukmir in Wisconsin U.S. Senate race

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In the big-money world of political advertising, a $29,000 statewide radio buy is just a drop in the bucket.

But for Leah Vukmir, the radio ad launched in her support this week by the Republican Party of Wisconsin is yet another sign that the state GOP is going all in on her U.S. Senate candidacy.

Kevin Nicholson (left), Tammy Baldwin (center) and Leah Vukmir (right)

Vukmir faces Delafield businessman Kevin Nicholson in an Aug. 14 primary, with the winner taking on Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin in November.

Earlier this month, Vukmir, a state senator from Brookfield, overwhelmingly won the party's official endorsement at the state GOP convention in Milwaukee. With 73% support from the delegates, Vukmir called the endorsement "historic" and "reflected the extent our message resonated with the grassroots."

The endorsement allows Vukmir to benefit from the party's machinery, including gaining access to fundraising lists and the use of party offices and volunteers.

She'll need every bit of help in her race against Nicholson, who has raised more cash and benefited from the support of out-of-state groups and individuals.

In the wake of securing the endorsement, Vukmir is touring party offices throughout the state, reaching out to activists who will, in turn, make calls on her behalf to get voters to the polls.

"These are the folks who make things happen," Vukmir said of the party volunteers. "These are the people you can't win an election without. I've been reaching out and thanking them, calling for the unity of the party going forward so we can put our focus and attention on beating Tammy Baldwin."

Vukmir said winning the endorsement has helped her fundraising.

"It has made a big difference," she said. "It is clearly something that people have heard of. ... I get the congratulatory message right off the bat. 'Hey, I heard you got the endorsement. How can I help?' I'm going to make sure that those who don't know about it do know about it."

The radio ad, titled "The Wisconsin Way," directly states the themes of Vukmir's campaign and closes that "as a proven conservative, Leah stood with Governor Scott Walker and Republican leaders in the tough fights that made the Wisconsin comeback possible."

Walker is remaining neutral in the race and plans to support the Republican who wins the primary and becomes the nominee.

Mark Morgan, executive director of the state Republican Party, said the endorsement reflected what Vukmir built in reaching out to the grassroots and that obtaining their approval was "incredibly valuable."

"We're going to continue to provide help and support for her campaign," he said. "There will certainly be investments between now and August to make sure they have the tools they need, whether assisting with fundraising, voter targeting or turnout."

Morgan said the party's help to Vukmir should not be seen as going against Nicholson.

"Regardless of what happens with the primary in August, both of these candidates would be far superior candidates than Senator Baldwin," he said.

Meanwhile, Nicholson's campaign said it is going "full steam ahead" and that "nothing has changed" despite Tuesday's announcement that campaign manager John Vinson is "moving on."

Brandon Moody, Nicholson's political strategist, said: "We are now in a phase of the campaign that has moved to speaking with the hundreds of thousands of voters who will cast a ballot in August, and our campaign remains focused on convincing those primary voters on why Kevin is the best-equipped candidate to defeat Tammy Baldwin."

Also this week, Baldwin's campaign released a television commercial focused on the opioid crisis. The ad features Bev Kelley-Miller of Kaukauna, who lost her daughter to a heroin overdose. Kelly-Miller said that Baldwin understands the problems of addiction.

Previously, Baldwin discussed her late mother's problems with addiction and the issue was later highlighted in an ad.