The Kenosha Professional Police Association Board opted to endorse Republican Rebecca Kleefisch in her run for Wisconsin governor.
The group joins other law enforcement groups, including the Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police and the Milwaukee Police Association, in backing the former lieutenant governor.
“Rebecca Kleefisch is the tough-on-crime leader Wisconsin needs to get back on track,” said Pete Deates, President of the Kenosha Professional Police Association. “Cops know Rebecca Kleefisch backs the badge and has the best plan to get skyrocketing crime under control. The Kenosha Police Association Board is proud to back Rebecca for Governor because she backs us.”
In the Republican primary, Kleefisch is taking on businessman Kevin Nicholson and state lawmaker Timothy Ramthun. The winner of the competition will face Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
A poll conducted by Marquette Law School showed Kleefisch leading her primary race. She picked up 30 percent of support, compared to the eight percent of her closest rival.
In the announcement of the endorsement, Kleefisch blasted Evers’ record on supporting members of the law enforcement community.
Amid an extended crime spike, Republicans have blamed Evers for his hesitant action to assist law enforcement.
Evers finally awarded $50 million to address public safety, including $19 million that will be sent to local and tribal law enforcement groups to provide “training, recruitment bonuses, community policing needs, and technology investments.”
“Tony Evers sided with rioters over the brave men and women of the Kenosha police department, leading to violence and destruction in Kenosha. As governor, I’ll stand for law and order, not lawlessness,” said Kleefisch, candidate for governor. “I am so humbled to have the trust of the Kenosha Professional Police Association Board and look forward to working alongside them as governor.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Wisconsin Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rebecca Kleefisch and Kenosha Professional Police Association Board” by Rebecca Kleefisch.
