Facts

• With over 98% of ballots counted on Tues., Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Wisconsin Gov., Tim Michels, had beaten primary opponent Rebecca Kleefisch by more than 335k votes.^[1]
• Kleefisch - formerly the Lieutenant Gov. under former Gov. Scott Walker - was supported by former VP Mike Pence, meaning the results reflect another win for Trump in his battle of endorsements with his former VP.^[2]
• Michels, a retired Army Major and head of Michel's Corp. construction company, has said he wants to decrease political lobbying, uphold Wisconsin's 1849 abortion ban, end "unmanned ballot boxes," and support paid family leave.^[3]
• The millionaire businessman who largely self-funded his campaign has faced scrutiny over his support of Trump's election fraud claims. Last week Michels said he wouldn't endorse Trump as a 2024 presidential candidate before reversing his stance a day later.^[4]
• Wisconsin's gubernatorial election in Nov. is predicted to be close, with the incumbent gov. having won by a sliver in 2018. The candidates' stances on state-based electoral reform and the legality of abortion and contraception are likely to face significant scrutiny during the race.^[2]
• Pres. Biden narrowly beat Trump in Wisconsin by 20k votes in 2020 - a result Trump has disputed and called to be decertified. Michels has shown public support for the unsubstantiated assertion, declaring last week that he will abolish the state's election commission if made gov. this November.^[1]