Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is steering clear of bringing a bevy of Bill Clinton's past accusers to the second presidential debate – and says he wants to campaign on the issues.

Trump's abrupt policy push comes after he said he restrained himself from bringing up Bill Clinton's affairs at the first presidential debate – and spent much of the following week fueling a controversy over former Miss Universe Alicia Machado's weight.

'I want to win this election on my policies for the future, not on Bill Clinton's past,' Trump told told the New York Post's Richard Johnson in an email.

ON THE ISSUES: Donald Trump says he wants to win the election on the issues, not on 'Bill Clinton's past' as the two candidates prepare for the second presidential debate

'Jobs, trade, ending illegal immigration, veteran care, and strengthening our military is what I really want to be talking about,' Trump wrote.

The Post checked in with Candice Jackson, an attorney who works with a number of Bill Clinton's accusers, including Juanita Broaddrick, who has accused him of rape –s something Clinton denies.

Paula Jones brought a sexual harassment lawsuit against Bill Clinton in 1994

Juanita Broaddrick has accused Clinton of rape, though Clinton's attorney denies it

Kathleen Willey accused Bill Clinton of groping her in the White House

Bill Clinton on a visit to a nursing home oeprated by Juaita Broaddrick around 1978

Trump hinted that he would have brought up Bill Clinton's past at the debate, but held back because Chelsea Clinton was in the audience

'I want to win this election on my policies for the future,' Trump said

Attorney Candice Jackson had hoped to bring one of Clinton's accusers to the St. Louis debate

She also works with one-time Clinton fundraiser and White House volunteer Kathleen Willey, who accused Clinton of groping her, and sexual harassment accuser Paula Jones.

Jackson was hoping to bring one of the women with her to attend the debate, according to the report.

and Dolly Kyle — was hoping to bring at least one of the women to St. Louis to sit in the front row and throw Hillary Clinton off her game.

Trump told CNN immediately after the first debate: 'No, I was very happy that I was able to hold back on the, you know, indiscretions with respect to Bill Clinton because I have a lot of respect for Chelsea Clinton and I just didn't want to say what I was going to say.'

As Trump continued to dangle the possibility he would bring up Bill Clinton's past conduct at the next debate, he met push back from Republican lawmakers who re worry about consequences for their own elections.

Jackson indicated there was a fundraising effort to pay for plane tickets and hotels for the accusers, but 'we don't think we can get more than one ticket.'

'Gennifer was willing to go [to the first debate] and wanted to go, but never got a ticket,' said Jackson . 'Trump talked about having her there, but there was no follow-through.'

Trump's apparent change of tack follows a performance by running mate Mike Pence which also steered clear of attacks on Bill Clinton's accusers. Pence repeatedly tried to change the subject as Kaine tried to get him to defend controversial statements by Trump.

Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told MSNBC Tuesday that Trump's attacks on Machado weren't fruitful.