Republicans running for US Senate touted their experience, while defending their backgrounds at an event in Waukesha.
One of those responsible for Wisconsin’s collective bargaining cuts for public workers would take it even further. Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald says, in the US Senate, he would support legislation that does not require new private sector employees to pay union dues. He says a lot of states that are “doing well” economically are right-to-work states.
Hedge fund manager Eric Hovde clarifies he’s never worked on Wall Street, and says none of the community banks he’s owned received bail out money, a program he opposes. He touts his private sector experience in managing money and budgets.
Former Congressman Mark Neumann has been criticized for his real estate development companies taking stimulus money, a program he later opposed. Neumann says he put people to work during the Bush administration’s tax credits, a program that continued under President Obama.
Physical therapist Kip Smith says all of the Affordable Care Act needs to be scrapped as it actually harms patient access. Smith says he’d “love to give his services” to those who can’t afford it, but is barred from doing so by the government.
Hovde was direct about troops in Afghanistan. “We need to get out.” Hovde questions why the US is building up the Afghan society, when there are economic needs back home.
Immigration also comes up with Fitzgerald saying he opposes amnesty. He says illegal immigrants should go through the same process his great-grandfather did when emigrating from Ireland. Neumann says immigrants need to abide the laws on the books and support legal immigrants with job skills that can help the US economy.
Former Governor Tommy Thompson did not attend last night’s forum, sponsored by Wisconsin Reporter and the Waukesha County Republican Party.
The GOP Senate primary is just over four months away on August 14th.
AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (1:24)
