More veterans are criticizing Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson for his recent comments to a Milwaukee radio station about military veterans who are Democrats.
Last week, the Delafield businessman told WTMJ-AM that he questioned the “cognitive thought process” of veterans who back the Democratic Party saying, “They’re signing up to defend the Constitution that their party is continually dragging through the mud.”
Those comments led to quick criticism from veterans. Then on Tuesday, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin brought about a dozen veterans together at Milwaukee’s lakefront to express their concerns to at least five local media outlets.
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Rebecca Solen, a U.S. Army veteran, kicked off the event.
Solen said as a military officer “I was entrusted with taking care of my soldiers. The status of their political party affiliation was never a consideration. To question any soldier’s loyalty or capability based on political party affiliation is an insult to those who have, and are, currently serving.”
U.S. Army veteran Curtis Schmitt Jr. said, “I took an oath of enlistment to defend the Constitution of the United States, not an oath to any political party. So did Kevin Nicholson. So, he should know better than to question my patriotism and commitment to this country.”
U.S. Air Force veteran Keith Wagner was also in attendance Tuesday and brought up the fact that Nicholson was previously active in the Democratic Party.
“I understand that your past associations have caused you some problems with your prospective voter base. But it’s not OK to cut down other veterans to prove how Republican you are,” said Wagner addressing Nicholson.
Some earlier comments from Nicholson have also irritated veterans who are Republicans.
At an April 26 debate in Pewaukee, Nicholson said “certain politicians” don’t value military service, referring to his GOP primary opponent, state Sen. Leah Vukmir. Republican veterans later sent Nicholson a letter demanding an apology.
The veterans who spoke at Tuesday’s news conference are asking for the same.
Nicholson told WPR later Tuesday that Democrats are trying to cover mistakes made by incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, on national security. Nicholson said he’ll never apologize for advocating for better securing the nation’s future.
“There’s too many people in politics that are expressing fake outrage and demanding apologies,” Nicholson said. “Political actors do it all the time to cover their mistakes, and in this case, they’re trying to cover the many mistakes of Tanmy Baldwin, when it comes to national security and the defense of our liberties and our future.”
Nicholson and Vukmir are slated to compete for Republican Party backing at this weekend’s 2018 Republican Party of Wisconsin State Convention in Milwaukee.
The winner of the Aug. 14 GOP primary is expected to face Baldwin in this fall’s general election.
Editor’s Note: This story was last updated at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 2018, to include additional comments from Nicholson.
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