Gableman touts Kleefisch's run for governor, asks for support in keeping his election review going
Patrick MarleyMADISON — Michael Gableman talked up his review of the 2020 election at a Republican event over the weekend, telling the crowd he wouldn’t back down from Democrats and tipping his hand about his preferences in GOP primaries.
The former state Supreme Court justice at times has tried to portray himself as impartial and at others sought to stir up the Republican base. He’s on deck to speak at another Republican event later this month.
During an appearance Sunday in Beloit, Gableman appeared alongside former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and touted her bid for governor. That could put him in an awkward position if Marine veteran Kevin Nicholson decides to run for governor because Gableman serves on the advisory board for Nicholson’s political organization, the No Better Friend Corp.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester hired Gableman this summer to review the election, giving him a budget of $676,000. Recounts and court rulings have found repeatedly that the presidential election was properly called for Joe Biden over Donald Trump.
Democrats, election experts and some Republicans have called Gableman’s work a waste of taxpayer money that is needlessly damaging faith in the state’s voting systems. Some Republicans — including those Gableman spoke to Sunday — have welcomed his review.
Gableman told them they had to make sure they keep his review going. His contract expires this month and Vos has not said if he will extend it.
"I knew there would be criticism. I did not know there would be this universal defense mechanism even among some people in the leadership of the Republican Party, who would rather just let — who would rather just let this go,” Gableman told the crowd, according to a recording of his speech obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"But we can't let it go. We can't let it go. … They come for us in tiny, tiny steps. They come for us in millimeters. And if you give a millimeter, they're going to push and you've got to back up more. You back up, they're going to push you again and you've got to back up more. I am done backing up. And I hope you are, too."
Gableman made the comments at the Rock County Republican Party’s "Merry Politics" event. He's slated to attend a similar event on Dec. 20 with the Chippewa County Republican Party.
Republican state Sen. Kathy Bernier of Lake Hallie this week said she didn’t think it was a good idea for Gableman to attend political events while he is conducting his election review. On Monday, she said Vos should end Gableman's review soon because it is going to hurt Republicans at the ballot box.
Democratic Rep. Mark Spreitzer of Beloit said he wasn't surprised Gableman is attending partisan events because his hiring was announced at the state Republican Party's annual convention and he's filled his staff with Republicans and election skeptics.
"It's an extension of what we've already seen, which is that this is not a legitimate investigation. This is a partisan effort and it's designed to cater to the Republican base," said Spreitzer, who sits on the Assembly Elections Committee.
In his speech, Gableman championed Kleefisch and implied she would win her primary and defeat Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
"I know, Rebecca, you are going to be a fantastic governor," Gableman said.
He praised her for her kindness and straightforwardness, but added, "She's tough as nails too. You're going to be fantastic."
Nicholson is considering running for governor or U.S. Senate and is expected to make an announcement soon. His spokeswoman Courtney Mulledid not respond to a question about what Nicholson thought of Gableman's comments.
Gableman also promoted another attendee — Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney, who is running for attorney general.
Toney faces former state Rep. Adam Jarchow of Balsam Lake in the Republican primary.
Gableman did not mention Jarchow and spoke as if Toney would automatically face Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul. Kaul has sued Gableman to try to block some of the subpoenas he has issued in his election review.
"I look at Eric Toney's literature and I see right on the front page his goal to reform and defend election law," Gableman said. "I know which candidate I'm going to vote for and I think Eric Toney would be an outstanding attorney general."
Jarchow said he viewed Gableman's comments as "an indictment of Josh Kaul,"
"Justice Gableman is doing important work on the election review," Jarchow said by text message. "I'm sure he is incredibly frustrated with Kaul's inaction. I suspect he will support whichever Republican wins the primary."
Kaul questioned why Gableman was attending political events if he was hired at taxpayer expense to review the election for the general public.
"I think it's clear throughout this investigation that it was a hyperpartisan investigation and not a fair or neutral one and this just reinforces that point," he said.
Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.