Russ Feingold (left), Sen. Ron Johnson (right)
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson is not backing down from his endorsement of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, although he’s also not saying whether he will vote for him in November.
During a stop at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau Monday, Johnson called Trump’s uncovered comments about women “indefensible,” but said he would never support the other major nominee, Democrat Hillary Clinton – referring to the election as a “binary choice.”
“I can absolutely guarantee I will not vote for Hillary Clinton, who not only threatened but trashed the women her husband abused…and then start taking a look at her dereliction of duty under Benghazi.”
AUDIO: Sen. Johnson says voting for Clinton is not an option (:10)
Republicans across the country have been reversing their support for Trump, following the release of a video from 2005 that shows the nominee using sexually aggressive language about women. House Speaker Paul Ryan on Monday told members of Congress that he would not campaign with Trump or defend him – instead focusing on maintaining GOP majorities in Congress.
Democrat Russ Feingold, who is challenging Johnson in next month’s election, said the incumbent should “do the right thing” and withdraw his endorsement of Trump. “He should join the other Republican senators and say ‘of course Donald Trump should not be president.'”
AUDIO: Russ Feingold says Johnson should stop supporting Trump (:17)
During an appearance in Madison, Feingold also took issue with Johnson’s attempts to compare scandals surrounding Clinton with the comments Trump made. “Anyone that can’t make that distinction has got some problems,” Feingold argued.
Affiliate WSAU contributed to this report