Tom Nelson drops out of Dem Senate primary; Republican governor race; Ron Johnson on social issues

Tom Nelson drops out of Dem Senate primary

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, fourth in the polls and running out of cash, wasn't going to win the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

But his exit from the contest Monday may help provide the winning margin for the candidate he endorsed, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.

The primary is Aug. 9 and Nelson will still appear on the ballot.

Nelson spoke with the Journal Sentinel about the long campaign — he was the first runner to announce back in October 2020 — and the issues he discussed.

Nelson backed Medicare for all and the Green New Deal while promoting a national industrial strategy to spur the economy. He sought to be the leading progressive voice in the race. But without enough funds — he raised nearly $1.4 million — he couldn't get his message out to a wider audience.

"It didn’t look like we were in a strong position," Nelson said, adding that it "made sense to consolidate the progressive vote, which we did."

"Now I think he’s going to be that much stronger going to the primary," Nelson said of Barnes.

Barnes, Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, and state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski are all sprinting to the finish.

From his first day in the race, Barnes has been the front runner. And with Nelson's withdrawal, Barnes has the wind at his back.

[Sign up to get the On Wisconsin Politics newsletter every week]

Republican governor race

Molly Beck and Corrinne Hess provide the takeaways from Sunday's Republican governor debate between businessman Tim Michels, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and state Rep. Tim Ramthun.

Among the highlights:

The three candidates signaled or promised to implement paid family leave.

Michels stumbled on a question about DACA.

And there was an interesting discussion on abortion, with the candidates supporting the state's 1849 abortion ban.

Even though there have been some tough ads in the race, the candidates didn't rumble.

Also, former President Donald Trump announced he'll be in Waukesha on Aug. 5 for a rally in support of Michels.

Finally, Daniel Bice has quite a tale about Trump's endorsement of Michels.

You can read that here.

Ron Johnson on social issues

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson weighed in on same-sex marriage and abortion.

Johnson signaled support for the Respect for Marriage Act to codify same-sex marriage.

In a statement, Johnson said he wouldn't oppose the Respect for Marriage Act if it comes up for a vote in the U.S. Senate, even though he said the bill is unnecessary.

On Saturday, Johnson issued a lengthy statement backing abortion exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother, and said he supports contraception.

But he did not call on the state Legislature to amend Wisconsin's 1849 law that bans most abortions.

Around the horn

Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley was involved in fatal car crash that killed a mother and her 5-year-old daughter. Here is a heartbreaking story about those who died.

Four Wisconsin voters with disabilities have filed a federal lawsuit to ensure they can vote following Supreme Court ruling.

Republican leading Wisconsin's Assembly election committee calls for decertifying Trump's 2020 loss.

Off the air for a month and trailing in polls, U.S. Senate candidate Sarah Godlewski mounts a late TV ad charge.

Tim Ramthun launched his campaign for governor cloaked in a baseless conspiracy theory. During Sunday's debate, he offered a new one.

Everything you need to know about early voting for the Aug. 9 primary.

Tweet of the week

The tweet of the week from Christinia Schriver goes to all those Bruce Springsteen fans hoping to score tickets for the March 7 show at Fiserv Forum and encountering variable pricing: "I just tried to buy Springsteen tickets, but I forgot to get approved for a second mortgage first."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tom Nelson drops out of Dem Senate primary; Republican governor race