Trump endorses Tim Michels for Wisconsin governor, over former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed construction executive Tim Michels in Wisconsin’s Republican primary for governor.

It’s another major blow to former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, thought to be the frontrunner up until just a few weeks ago.

Both Michels and Kleefisch had visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Springs, Fla.

A written statement from Trump read: “Wisconsin needs a Governor who will Stop Inflation, Uphold the Rule of Law, strengthen our Borders (we had the strongest borders in history just two years ago, now we have the weakest!) and End the well-documented Fraud in our Elections. Tim Michels is the best candidate to deliver meaningful solutions to these problems, and he will produce jobs like no one else can even imagine.”

The news also comes a couple weeks after Kleefisch failed to get enough votes at the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s state convention. The party voted not to endorse any candidate, as Kleefisch fell 5% short of the 60% margin to win the delgate endorsement.

Coming in second among those delegates was nobody, at 45%.

Kleefisch released a statement shortly after Trump’s endorsement.

“If I know one thing about President Trump, it’s that he likes winners, and I’m the only person in this race who has won statewide — not once, but four times,” Kleefisch said. “Our campaign will win this primary with our hardworking team of activists, volunteers and grassroots efforts. Then we will beat Tony Evers.”

Michels, too, issued a statement.

“I appreciate President Trump’s endorsement and vote of confidence,” Michels said. “This is a tremendous boost to our efforts and a continuation of our astounding surge since I entered the race.”

Trump’s announcement Thursday was also a setback for the two other Republicans running for governor, Kevin Nicholson and state Rep. Tim Ramthun.