Michels’ position on ‘right to work’ questioned

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels’ company was once part of a contractor coalition that officially opposed Wisconsin’s eventual adoption of a so-called right-to-work law.

But now Michels , an owner of Michels Corp., says he supports Wisconsin’s 2015 right-to-work law, which bans policies requiring non-union workers to pay dues to their workplace unions. The same year that Wisconsin adopted right to work, Michels Corp. joined the Wisconsin Contractor Coalition, a group formed specifically to oppose the law. The construction company’s employees were also then part of protests against that proposed policy.

“We can’t speak for Michels Corporation, but when with them, he never specifically encouraged or granted time off for Michels employees to protest for or against anything, including right-to-work,” said Chris Walker, a spokesman for Michels. “How employees express their First Amendment rights on their own time is up to them.”

Michels’ main opponent in the gubernatorial race, Rebecca Kleefisch, was Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor when the state’s right-to-work law was adopted. She has said she supports the law. The winner of the Aug. 9 primary will face Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, in the general election in November.

Opponents also question Michels’ position on immigration

Michels’ positions on other issues were also coming into question Tuesday. Michels, for instance, once led an organization that fought a proposal to get tough on people who were living in the country illegally. Now he’s campaigning as someone opposed to illegal immigration.

When Michels was president of the board of the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association during the 2007-2008 legislative session, the group’s lobbyists came out as opposed to an Assembly bill that would have prevented companies that employ “illegal aliens” from getting government contracts, tax exemptions and loans. The bill died in committee.

Michels’ spokesman, Chris Walker, said Michels was unaware of the lobbying being done by the group, which represents road builders in Wisconsin.

“To Tim’s knowledge, the association’s position on every single one of the bills introduced every legislative session is not brought to the board of directors,” Walker said. “Tim is against illegal immigration.”

Michels, who has been endorsed by Donald Trump, is running multiple television ads detailing his opposition to illegal immigration.

“Tim Michels’ blueprint to stop illegal immigration,” one ad says. “No driver’s license, no benefits, and no tuition. Sign now if you agree!”

Kleefisch’s campaign criticized Michels over the apparent inconsistency, also referring to Michels’ ties to groups that had advocated for higher gas prices. Her campaign is running two ads attacking Michels over the gas tax, including one that began airing this week and features former Gov. Scott Walker.

“Tim Michels won’t take responsibility for his company’s campaign contributions for a higher gas tax, and now he won’t take responsibility for a group he was president of lobbying to allow illegal immigrants to work on government contracts,” said Charles Nichols, Kleefisch’s campaign manager.