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Jill Stein. Photo courtesy of President Jill Stein.
The Washington Post reports that the Republican-linked Badger Values PAC is spending money in Wisconsin to boost Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.
Some say the spending could affect the outcome of the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump for third-party presidential candidates in the key battleground state of Wisconsin. It is an expression of what people are thinking. Three third-party candidates, Mr. Stein, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, are expected to appear on the Wisconsin ballot, but they are seen as potentially spoiling Mr. Trump. Kennedy is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to remove his name. Since early voting began in the state, he abstained from voting in favor of Trump and filed an appeal.
Stein remains on the ballot after the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided not to hear a Democratic challenge, and is seen as a potential spoiler for Harris.
The election results in Wisconsin are known to be as close as the last two presidential elections, which were decided by a margin of about 20,000 votes. According to the latest Marquette University Law School poll released on October 16, the presidential election remains extremely close nationwide, with 48% of likely voters favoring Harris and 47% favoring Republican Donald Trump. Selected by former President Trump.
This year, mailers from Wisconsin’s Badger Values PAC have attacked Vice President Kamala Harris while making favorable statements about Stein.
“As president, Jill Stein will end the pollution of our Great Lakes and rivers,” said one mail carrier. “Kamala Harris and company don’t care about our environment. Vote for Jill Stein by November 5th.”
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The independent group registered with the FEC on September 24 to spend in federal elections, and has the same address and accounts as a group with the same name that registered in Wisconsin in July 2022. Badger Values PAC spent $407,483 during the 2022 Wisconsin Attorney General race. That includes $137,000 for television ads to support former state Rep. Adam Jurkow during the Republican primary. During his campaign, Mr. Jurkow called himself “pro-life” and argued that the 1849 Penal Code should be enforced to ban abortion in the state.
Les Williamson, the group’s treasurer, has previously worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and for other super PACs supporting Republicans in New Hampshire races and this year’s Montana Senate race. He has worked for Republican groups, including as treasurer.
As of Oct. 25, the group had spent about $982,900 on the 2024 federal election, including about $307,000 for Mr. Stein.
In response to the spending report, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) said in a statement that Ms. Stein has no chance of winning, but that Republicans believe she could hand Mr. Trump a victory. The DNC recently launched ads against Stein in Wisconsin and other battleground states.
“That’s why Republicans are spending so much in battleground states like Wisconsin to support her spoiler candidates and manipulate voters,” said DNC communications adviser Rhys Smith. . “Republican operatives like Badger Values PAC couldn’t be more clear: A vote for Stein is a vote for Trump.”
Republican-linked super PAC spending to boost Jill Stein in Wisconsin was originally published by the Wisconsin Examiner.
