The Milwaukee Police Association, which is the union of rank-and-file police officers, has endorsed Republican Rebecca Kleefisch for Wisconsin governor.

Kleefisch is one of two declared GOP candidates in the race to defeat Democratic Gov. Tony Evers; the other is Jonathan Wichmann. Other people said to be considering a run include Bill McCoshen, Kevin Nicholson, Eric Hovde, and state Rep. John Macco.

“On behalf of the Milwaukee Police Association, we are proud to endorse Rebecca Kleefisch for Governor of the State of Wisconsin,” said Andrew Wagner, Acting President of the Milwaukee Police Association.

“Rebecca has been a long-time friend of law enforcement – through both her support of our men and women in uniform and her steadfast commitment to public safety. There is no bigger advocate of law enforcement or better choice for Governor than Rebecca Kleefisch.

Kleefisch has made Evers’ lack of support for law enforcement – and his botching of the response to the Kenosha riots – a centerpiece in her campaign. In her Forward Agenda, for example, she is calling for 1,000 new cops on the street. Evers, in contrast, rushed to judgment against the police officer in the Jacob Blake shooting, even though that officer was eventually cleared, and doubled down on misleading incendiary rhetoric after the clearing. The National Guard was not dispatched to Kenosha in a timely manner as the city burned.

“I am humbled to receive an endorsement from the men and women of the Milwaukee Police Association who work tirelessly to protect our communities and risk their lives in our service,” said Rebecca Kleefisch. “As Governor, I’ll always support law enforcement and work to ensure that the men and women who wear the badge have the tools they need to keep our communities safe.”

Milwaukee Police Association Endorses Kleefisch Letter