Wisconsin lieutenant governor candidates take different approaches ahead of Election Day
Democrat Sarah Godlewski sat for an interview; Republican David Varnam did not
MADISON, Wis. (Gray) - Voters will choose the state’s next governor and lieutenant governor on Tuesday.
Republican David Varnam is Tom Tiffany’s running mate. Democrat Sarah Godlewski is running with David Crowley. The lieutenant governor’s duties are largely shaped by the governor.
Godlewski participated in an on-camera interview earlier this month with Wisconsin State Capitol Bureau Chief Vanessa Kjeldsen. Meanwhile, 14 interview requests were made to Varnam and his campaign via email, text, and phone over the course of nearly two months. Varnam never sat down for an interview. His campaign did not say why.
Godlewski said Varnam’s position on abortion is a point of contrast in their campaigns.
“When you look at David Varnam and what he stands for, he wants a complete abortion ban,” Godlewski said. “As somebody who saw my rights taken away, that’s horrifying.”
Varnam’s campaign website does not explicitly say whether he supports exceptions. On the website, he writes, “I believe that every life is a precious gift from God. I will stand firm and support protections for unborn children. Innocent children should be protected and valued in every stage of life.”
At the top of the ticket, Tiffany says he would support the state’s current 20-week abortion ban.
When asked whether Godlewski had talked with Crowley about what she would be in charge of as lieutenant governor, Godlewski mentioned the campaign’s “affordability agenda.”
Asked whether there is a particular part of that agenda she would own, Godlewski responded, “Well, I think something that’s really important with David and I is we’re a team. You know, David always talks about how I’m a partner.”
On Wednesday, at a stop in Wausau on Tiffany’s bus tour, Varnam spoke for less than a minute and a half.
“Are you ready for a congressman that will repeal the 400-year tax increase? Are you ready for a governor that will keep men out of women’s sports?” Varnam said to cheers.
He encouraged voters to turnout for Tiffany.
“We need you to get out to vote. We need you to drag your friends, your family and your neighbors with you because this race comes down to turnout,” Varnam said.
Election Day is Nov. 3.
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