Mike Pence to headline fundraiser for Leah Vukmir in Milwaukee

Bill Glauber | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Republican Leah Vukmir is getting a big boost in her bid to topple Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin — a visit from Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence will be in Milwaukee Thursday night to headline a fundraiser for Vukmir.

In an interview with WTMJ-AM (620), Pence said, "We think it's time that Wisconsin send a strong conservative voice to Washington, D.C., and the United States Senate to join Ron Johnson and I'm going to be supporting Leah Vukmir for the United States Senate."

Pence called Vukmir "an extraordinary person with a tremendous background in public service. She came through a competitive primary, showed great strength, we couldn't be more excited about her candidacy. I'm really looking forward to be in Milwaukee this week to show our strong and complete support for Leah Vukmir for Senate."

Pence said he and President Donald Trump would be in Wisconsin "every bit as often" as Gov. Scott Walker and Leah Vukmir "need us."

Since defeating Kevin Nicholson in the GOP primary, Vukmir has sought to step up her fundraising to challenge Baldwin.

Democratic Party spokesman Brad Bainum said: "Vice President Mike Pence is helping Leah Vukmir raise money because she'd be the deciding vote in the U.S. Senate to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and replace it with a corporate special interest-approved plan that would gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions, take health care away from millions of Americans, and let predatory insurance companies charge older people more."

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