In close Wis. gov. race, Republican Tim Michels stays to the right. It may help him.

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

49% : With two GOP-controlled branches of the Legislature, a Republican governor would wield broad power over the future of abortion and elections in the state.
48% : "On abortion, he keeps the party base by maintaining his position," said Charles Franklin, a political science professor and the director of the Marquette University Law School poll.
48% :"Our campaign is focused on delivering a stronger economy, better schools, and safer communities," Walker said in a statement when asked about Michels' recent statements about abortion and his stance on the 2020 election.
46% : Meanwhile, an Evers campaign spokesperson said Michels was "content staking out radical positions" and "isn't interested in being a governor who will bring our state together.""On everything from voting rights to abortion, Michels has staked out the most out-of-touch position possible, putting him at odds with his own party and rest of the state," campaign spokesperson Sam Roecker said in a statement.
44% : In fact, Michels has remained staunch in his support for an 1849 state law banning abortion in almost all cases, which went back into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.
43% : "He can play offense on crime and education and inflation while remaining authentic on abortion and election integrity," said Bill McCoshen, a Republican strategist who is informally advising the Michels campaign.
41% :Franklin's latest poll, released last week, found that abortion policy and an "accurate vote count" were not even top-3 issues among Wisconsin's independent voters; they said they were far more concerned about inflation, crime and public education.
40% : He's already stated what his position on abortion is.
37% : A Siena College/Spectrum News poll released Tuesday found that just 7% of independent voters in the state said abortion was the most important issue in determining whom to vote for in November.
36% : At a recent campaign event, he told supporters, "I'm not going to soften my stance on abortion," despite national headwinds showing that the issue is a major motivator for Democratic and independent voters.
34% : Michels campaign adviser Chris Walker did not respond to questions about Michels' strategy on abortion or election issues.
30% : The Washington Post via Getty ImOn key issues like abortion and election denialism, Tim Michels, the Republican nominee for governor of Wisconsin, is not moving toward the political middle down the homestretch to Election Day.

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