It’s a no go for any debates between the candidates for lieutenant governor. Democrat Tom Nelson had pitched a series of five with Republican Rebecca Kleifisch. “Not only did the Walker-Kleefisch campaign refuse my request to debate in any of the five locations that I suggested, but they categorically ruled out any joint public appearances,” Nelson said.
In explaining the decision, Kleefisch spokesperson Jill Bader said “As Tom Barrett proved in the first debate, the Barrett-Nelson ticket isn’t interested in a discussion on how to help get government out of the way of employers so they can create 250,000 jobs. They are only interested in running away from their records and using false television ads to distort Scott Walker’s record.”
That response “makes absolutely no sense,” said Nelson. “It’s a complete non sequitur. That’s the whole purpose why you have debates. They obviously have a different public opinion than Tom Barrett and myself. That’s fine, that’s why you have debates.” Nelson claims the lack any debates between candidates for lieutenant governor is “unprecedented” and suggests the Walker campaign owes voters an apology.
Nelson, the Democrat’s Majority Leader in the state Assembly, and Kleefisch, a former Milwaukee television news personality, won their respective primaries to appear on the statewide ballot alongside Milwaukee County Executive Walker and Democratic candidate for governor, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.