Wisconsin GOP candidate calls for ‘pitchforks and torches’

Tim Michels' reaction was in response to a story that detailed his giving to anti-abortion groups and others

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Tim Michels
Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels speaks as he appears with former President Donald Trump at a rally in Waukesha, Wis., on Aug. 5, 2022. Michels is calling for people to take up “pitchforks and torches” in reaction to a story that detailed his giving to anti-abortion groups, churches and others, rhetoric that Democrats say amounts to threatening violence. Michels, who co-owns the state’s largest construction company, faces Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in the battleground state. Morry Gash, AP File Photo

The Republican candidate for governor in Wisconsin endorsed by Donald Trump is calling for people to take up “pitchforks and torches” in reaction to a story that detailed his giving to anti-abortion groups and others.

Democrats and the campaign of Gov. Tony Evers say that Tim Michels is threatening violence.

Michels spokesperson Anna Kelly is downplaying his remarks, saying “only political hacks and media accomplices would freak out about Tim using a figure of speech.”

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His comments on a conservative talk radio show come amid a strong pushback to a story published earlier this week by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel detailing his charitable giving. Wisconsin Public Radio also covered the story after it was first reported by the newspaper.