VILLAGE OF WESTON and WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- Both major-party candidates for Governor stopped in Marathon County on Friday to drum up support in what has turned out to be a tight race.
The morning started with Governor Scott Walker stopping by Applied Laser Technologies in Weston to rally supporters alongside his Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. Both touted their track record over the last eight years of job growth and tax cuts. "It's not a secret anymore that Wisconsin is a destination state, and we are proud of that," said Kleefisch. "The reason for that is because we have security and stability in our tax code, we have that manufacturers and farmers tax credit and that's very attractive for our two main industries. Tony Evers wants to completely, fundamentally change that," she added.
Walker said to him the race comes down to getting the facts out there about his eight-year run as Governor because of the amount of money being spent by outside interest groups on attack ads. "We get the facts out; more people are working than ever before, we have some of the best schools in the nation, property taxes are lower on working families and Senior Citizens, and we will always cover people with pre-existing conditions. If those facts get out to the voters, we win this election," said Walker.
EVERS AT DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS
Walker's opponent made a pass through the Marathon County Democratic headquarters near downtown Wausau about an hour later to stump with Seventh Congressional District candidate Margaret Engebretson and State Treasurer candidate Sarah Godlewski.
Evers took time to address Walker's ongoing claims that he would raise the gas tax by as much as $1 per gallon if elected, saying that's simply not true. "I never said it. Frankly, if I had said it, I wouldn't vote for me. It's a ridiculous assumption." Evers went on to say that raising a gas tax would be one of several options he would like to discuss with a bi-partisan brain trust that would discuss solutions to fix the state's roads.
"You don't go in with the solution. You bring in 30 people of different political stripes or who have issues around this issue. You don't say 'thanks for coming, it's great that you are here, oh by the way this is the solution,' it doesn't work that way." Evers adds that in his experience negotiating contracts as the state Superintendent of Schools he's found it's best to go in with an open mind to try to solve problems.
Both Evers and Engebretson agreed there is outstanding energy around the Democratic Party going into this election. The Seventh Congressional District candidate said she has spent a fair amount of time knocking on doors in communities across the district and she's finding that people "are really, really thirsting for leaders that will focus their energies on accomplishing things like getting a Medicare-for-all public health insurance program or having a representative that will go to Washington and fight for resources like broadband [internet], highways, [and] rail."
"I've never been more energized in my entire life, and it's because of these people," added Evers. "I'm energized by the reaction we are getting and frankly we know that we [not only have] Democrats supporting us but Independents and some Republicans too."
ON THE RACE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP
Walker and Evers are no stranger to each other, having worked together on several issues in their current roles, and both agreed that next Tuesday's outcome won't impact their relationship despite current rivalry. "I do that right now, I do a lot of things to benefit the citizens of the City of Milwaukee even though Tom Barrett ran against me twice, I get over it," said Walker. He also pointed to his efforts in previous years to bring Republicans and Democrats together including following his recall election in 2012.
"The bottom line is we got past all that. We did like a lot of people do in the state of Wisconsin, we brought people together over a beer and a brat and a good bit of food, and I'm sure we will be able to do that again," he said, referencing his famous post-recall election cookout known as the "Brat Summit" at the Governor's home in June of 2012.
Evers echoed those comments. "Scott Walker and I have, on occasion, actually [acomplished] some things together. I do get stressed when he's saying lies about me, but I get that, that's, unfortunately, part of the race. But I also think that's used to distract from his record."
"After I win on Tuesday, we will continue to be friendly with each other," added Evers with confidence.
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