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Did Donald Trump forego campaigning in Wisconsin for gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels because he felt Michels was going to win?

By Jacob Alabab-Moser
YES

Former Republican Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels said on The Jay Weber Show on Nov. 29 that former President Donald Trump told him just before the 2022 election that he would not visit Wisconsin because Michels was poised to win. 

“He said, ‘I’m not gonna come in. You’ve got this thing. I’ve seen all the numbers. It looks really strong, congratulations,’ ” Michels said about his phone call with Trump. The former president endorsed Michels during the primary and made a campaign appearance for him in August 2022. 

Michels also recounted how many prominent Republicans — including former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and former Trump White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus — thought Michels would be elected governor as part of a nationwide "red wave." But Republicans came up empty handed in numerous key races, including Michels', and failed to retake the U.S. Senate.

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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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