Former President Donald Trump shook up the Wisconsin governor’s race over the weekend by urging former Republican Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy to challenge Democratic incumbent Tony Evers next November. Trump's endorsement of Duffy could make things difficult for the only high-profile Republican candidate in the contest so far — former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.

Capitol Notes

Capitol Notes: Trump urges former Wisconsin Republican US Representative Sean Duffy to run for governor

There’s been a whirlwind of developments in former State Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman’s quest to investigate the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin. Gableman abruptly canceled plans last week to interview the mayors and election clerks of the state’s five largest cities, just days after he subpoenaed them.

Capitol Notes: Status of Wisconsin's 2020 presidential election probe 'up in the air'

The investigation into the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin is heating up. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos hired former conservative state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to lead the probe.

Capitol Notes: Gableman issues subpoenas to some Wisconsin election clerks

Republican state lawmakers have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out a redistricting lawsuit that Democrats brought, which asks a federal court to draw the political boundaries in Wisconsin for the next decade. The request came after the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to directly take a redistricting case brought by a conservative group.

Capitol Notes: U.S. Supreme Court May Get Involved in Wisconsin's Redistricting Case

Former Wisconsin Commerce Secretary Bill McCoshen has decided not to seek the Republican nomination for governor next year. That leaves former GOP Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch as the lone Republican so far to formally challenge Democratic incumbent Tony Evers in 2022.

Capitol Notes: Field Of Potential GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls Narrows

Former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman wants the Wisconsin Elections Commission to preserve all 2020 presidential election evidence. Gableman is leading a GOP-requested investigation into the election. He sent a letter to commissioners last week, urging them to tell local clerks to preserve “any and all” voting records, so he can use them to determine whether any alleged fraud occurred in the state.

Capitol Notes: Investigator Wants Election Officials To Safeguard Data From 2020 Presidential Contest

It appears former Republican Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch is going to formally announce her bid for governor on Thursday. She sent a notice to supporters that she’ll make a “special announcement” in Waukesha County.

Capitol Notes: Former GOP Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch Expected to Announce Gubernatorial Bid This Week

Sparks flew last week between Interim UW System President and former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson and GOP leaders in the state Legislature. Republican Sen. Steve Nass, who co-chairs the Rules Committee, threatened to file a lawsuit if Thompson doesn’t first get permission from the panel to enact any COVID-19 mandates on the campuses. Thompson rebuffed Nass' demand.

Capitol Notes: Thompson Spars With Republican-Controlled Legislature Over COVID Mandates

Longtime Democratic Congressman Ron Kind of La Crosse shocked Wisconsin’s political world last week when he announced he won’t seek reelection next year. In this week’s “Capitol Notes” conversation, WUWM’s Marti Mikkelson asks JR Ross of wispolitics.com what he thinks are the chances of the GOP flipping this seat now that Kind has bowed out.

Capitol Notes: What Are The Odds Of Republicans Flipping Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind's Seat?

Democratic state Sen. Chris Larson of Milwaukee has dropped out of the race for U.S. Senate. In this week’s Capitol Notes conversation, Marti Mikkelson asks JR Ross of wispolitics.com if he was surprised by the development.

Capitol Notes: Larson's Exit From U.S. Senate Race Not Entirely Shocking

Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes has made it official — he’s in the race for Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate seat next November. Barnes has the highest political profile so far and joins a crowded field of Democrats who have either announced they are running or are thinking of running.

Capitol Notes: Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes Joins Crowded Democratic Field Of U.S. Senate Candidates

Campaign finance reports are out, and they show Republican Sen. Ron Johnson raised more money between April and June than any of the Democrats who would want to run against him. But at least one potential Democratic challenger is close behind. Johnson hasn’t decided yet whether he’ll seek a third term next November.

Capitol Notes: Incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson, Potential Challenger Alex Lasry Raise The Most Money In Second Quarter

Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is apparently getting closer to deciding whether he’ll run for Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s seat next year. Barnes has reportedly begun fundraising for a run, and would join a growing, crowded field of Democrats wanting to take on Johnson in 2022.

Capitol Notes: Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes Could Soon Announce Run For Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's Seat

Both houses of the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature have approved an $87 billion spending plan for the next two years. Now, it heads to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. A handful of Democrats in both the Assembly and Senate crossed over and voted with Republicans to approve the plan.

Capitol Notes: Some Wisconsin Democrats Join Republicans In Passing GOP-Crafted State Budget

Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump threatened to find people to run against Wisconsin Republican legislative leaders Robin Vos, Devin LeMahieu and Chris Kapenga in Republican primaries next year.

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Capitol Notes

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