ICYMI: Billionaire GOP Donors Who Funded the Big Lie Donate to Rebecca Kleefisch, Potentially Snubbing Old Friend Kevin Nicholson

The Daily Beast reports that billionaires Liz and Richard Uihlein have poured millions into groups affiliated with overturning the election — and now they’re supporting Rebecca Kleefisch for governor.

New filing reports show Liz Uihlein donated $200,000 to a super PAC working to elect Kleefisch while the Uihleins’ nonprofit gave millions to “right-wing extremist organizations, including ones designated as hate groups.” Liz Uihlein also gave Kleefisch’s campaign the maximum amount allowed under state law.

Kleefisch has become a superstar of the Big Lie circus that the Uihleins fund. She has surrounded herself with fellow Big Lie supporters throughout her campaign and been called “Wisconsin’s Donald Trump” for backing election conspiracy theories and supporting a “forensic audit” of the 2020 election.

The donation could set up a showdown for Kevin Nicholson as he eyes a run for governor. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described Richard Uihlein as “​​one of Nicholson’s top supporters,” and early reports suggested the Uihleins would back Nicholson in the GOP gubernatorial primary. But, warnings that his failed 2018 Senate bid — which the Uihleins spent $10.7 million on — could cause them to turn their support to Kleefisch might be true.

“The Uihleins have spent millions funding the Big Lie nationally and now they’re looking for a standard-bearer to carry the flag in Wisconsin,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “The Uihleins might have found their candidate in Rebecca Kleefisch, who will happily promote the dangerous conspiracy theories that led to the January 6th insurrection, but they can’t forget about their old friend Kevin Nicholson. As a GOP primary showdown looms, who will emerge as the Uihelins’ Big Lie darling?”

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