The Wisconsin Republican Party endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany for governor, Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney for attorney general, Racine businessman Will Martin for Lieutenant Governor, Watertown farmer and businessman Nate Pollnow for Secretary of State, and incumbent Treasurer Jon Lieber at its state convention on Saturday.
Delegates at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in the Wisconsin Dells voted unanimously for Tiffany, who was the only candidate to meet the party’s prerequisites for endorsement in the governor’s race. Toney, Pollnow, and Lieber also ran unopposed, although Pollnow faces multiple primary opponents. Delegates allowed them to speak Saturday evening despite not being eligible for the party’s endorsement.
The Republican Party of Wisconsin’s endorsement is critical for candidates, as it provides access to party resources and donor networks. Endorsed candidates typically shore up support from party-aligned contributors and groups ahead of the primary election.
That won’t be an issue this year, however, as Tiffany and Toney have not seen serious challenges, and Martin’s overwhelming win in Saturday’s delegate vote likely solidifies his status as the party’s presumptive nominee.
