Tim Michels touts military, business background

By Eileen Persike

Editor

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels made a stop in Rhinelander this week. Greeted by a couple dozen supporters, Michels spoke of his business background and being a non-career politician.

He said people are sick and tired of politics as usual.

“We’re gonna fire Tony Evers and get a proper governor for the state of Wisconsin,” Michels said, adding he would be replacing Evers, “With a man who has proven executive experience, from being a commanding officer to being a successful businessman.”

Michels served 12 years in the Army and is owner with his family of Michels Corporation which took in $3 billion in revenue in 2018, according to Forbes. Backed by former President Donald Trump, Michels said to a cheering audience, just as Trump wanted to drain the swamp, he will turn Madison upside down. He also told supporters he is pro-economy, pro-gun and pro-life.

“I want to partner with private agencies as well that could explain all the solutions that are out there, adoption, support for newborns and she doesn’t have one voice in her head, the pro-abortion zealots that say you have to abort the baby,” he said during a media interview after the rally.

Asked about the challenge that local employers face of finding enough workers, Michels said he will do everything he can to have more qualified labor in the area.

“We don’t need everyone to college and get a degree, if you will, in Eastern European Literature,” Michels said. “Let’s improve the vocational technical training … that we have here in Rhinelander, that we have here up north, and let’s get men and women to go into the trades.”

Michels was on a tour of the northern part of the state, with stops including Crandon, Crivitz and Ashland.

A June 22 Marquette Law School Poll showed 27% of Republican primary voters supported Michels and 26% supported candidate Rebecca Kleefisch. At that time 32% of those polled were undecided. The Wisconsin primary is Tuesday, Aug. 9.