Deutsch a no-show for debates; endorsed by John Doe target

November 3, 2014 by Barbara With

Last week, Republican candidate for Senate District 25 Dane Deutsch failed to show up for a debate with Democratic challenger Janet Bewley. The week prior, Deutsch issued a press release falsely accusing Bewley of lying about the real dangers mining poses to the wetlands. In response, Bewley issued the following statement:

“He’ll pay to put negative and misleading advertisements in local newspapers, but can’t be bothered to show up for a debate in the Senate District’s third largest city. Not once, but twice, my opponent has backed out of debates that he had previously agreed to attend. Despite my willingness to go anywhere, at anytime, to let the voters see our differences in person, Dane Deutsch cancelled on both the League of Women Voters and Wisconsin Public Radio.

Wednesday night I was asked what Mr. Deutsch was afraid of.  Perhaps he’s afraid to defend his deceptive attack ads, or his payment of $25,000 to a Milwaukee company that made deceptive robo-calls for American For Prosperity in Arkansas.  Perhaps he’s nervous about the false robo-calls now going to people in Iron County?  Or it could be that he’s simply unable or unwilling to defend his positions to the people of the north? We will never know.

The voters in this district want more than failed Tea Party talking points. They deserve strong leadership, and someone who will fight for middle class families, seniors, students and the small businesses of the north – and someone who will show up. I urge everyone to exercise your right to vote on November 4th and help me protect our Northern way of life.”

Deutsch is also endorsed by the Wisconsin Family Action PAC, one of the organizations being investigated in the current John Doe probe. The first John Doe investigation led to convictions of six Walker aides, associates or appointees on charges ranging from theft from a veteran’s group to misconduct in office.

The current investigation is held up in court, but records released last summer uncovered a secret $700,000 donation from Gogebic Taconite to Walker’s recall election via Club for Growth.