ABC of Wisconsin endorses Rebecca Kleefisch’s bid for governor

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The Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin endorsed former Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in her bid governor on Thursday.

Kleefisch served as ABC’s jobs ambassador, promoting careers in construction, from late 2019 until last August, when she announced her campaign for governor. For eight years, Kleefisch was Wisconsin lieutenant governor under former Governor Scott Walker.

Kleefish and ABC President John Mielke were planning to announce the trade group’s endorsement events held at Quality Insulators, in Green Bay and PGA in Weston.

“I had the honor of working with Rebecca Kleefisch for nearly two years when she served as ABC of Wisconsin’s jobs ambassador,” Mielke said in a statement. “During that time, I had the opportunity to see her integrity firsthand. I experienced how she dealt with complex issues that affect those who are literally building Wisconsin. She did great things as Wisconsin’s Lt. Gov., she did great things at ABC, and she will do great things as the next governor of the state of Wisconsin.”

ABC, a mostly non-union trade group, represents nearly 900 contractors in Wisconsin. In her role at ABC, Kleefisch was featured in a video series recounting the the stories of workers who chose construction as a career.

After leaving office in 2019, Kleefisch worked as executive director of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, a Washington-based group formed to mark the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.

Kleefisch faces four other Republican candidates in an August primary election. Her opponents are Kevin Nicholson, Timothy Ramthun, Adam Fischer and James Kellen.

“Wisconsin’s workers are our greatest natural resource. Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin knows that, as governor, I’ll invest in Wisconsin’s skilled workforce by increasing trades and vocational training, apprenticeship programs, and talent attraction,” Kleefisch said in a statement. “I’m grateful to have the support of ABC and the thousands of Wisconsin workers and business owners they represent.” Follow @natebeck9