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FACT BRIEF

Did Tim Michels say that he will end democracy in Wisconsin?

By Jacob Alabab-Moser
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NO

Tim Michels, the Republican candidate for governor of Wisconsin, said at a campaign stop in Jefferson County on Oct. 31, 2022 that, "Republicans will never lose another election after I'm elected governor."

Michels’ spokesperson Brian Fraley said Michels merely meant Republicans would be rewarded for doing a good job. Earlier in Michel's speech, he said, "After I win this election, we are gonna make sure that (working people) in Wisconsin understand that the Republican Party is their best bet for ... better opportunity."

Multiple Democrats and prominent news outlets took issue with Michels' statement, with several commentators interpreting it as hinting at his intentions to restructure Wisconsin's future elections in favor of Republicans. 

Michels has proposed dissolving the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission and signing bills previously vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers that would have added new requirements for voters and election officials. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
SoundCloud Tim Michels appearance in Jefferson County on October 31, 2022
Washington Post Candidate promises Republicans can take permanent control of Wisconsin
AP News In final days, Evers asks Wis. voters to worry about Michels
WisPolitics Democratic Governors Association: Tim Michels under fire for saying he plans to undermine future elections
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Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.