MILWAUKEE, WI -Former United Nations Ambassador and Fox News analyst John Bolton was in Milwaukee Wednesday to appear at a fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson. Bolton and his political action committee, Bolton PAC, endorsed Nicholson in August.
In an exclusive interview with RightWisconsin Wednesday, Bolton explained he endorsed Nicholson because he was looking for Senate candidates who understood and could articulate “the importance of America’s position in the world.”
“When they actually serve in the Senate or the House,” Bolton said. “Who would take a leadership position on these issues. And Kevin fits that bill to a T.”
Bolton explained that this was, “a precedent-setting endorsement” for him. “I’ve not gotten involved in primary contest for the Republican nomination,” Bolton said. “I thought about it before but I never did. I just think that to have the most profound impact on the debate, getting the right Republican nominated is key. Not just beating an incumbent in 2018, but getting the right person to get the Republican nomination.”
Bolton said he did “due diligence” in looking at Nicholson’s potential opponents before deciding to make an endorsement in the primary. “They may be fine fine people,” Bolton said. “But it’s pretty clear that they have no background in national security.”
“Look, I’m a conservative myself. It’s important to me to have that kind of majority in the House and the Senate,” Bolton said. “To me, all other issues are secondary if the safety of the country is at risk, and I want somebody who puts that first.”
Looking at the results of the 2016 election, Bolton said he believes that Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, is vulnerable. “People were surprised Trump carried the state,” Bolton said. “Many people were surprised Ron Johnson was able to get re-election.”
“Wisconsin has been a closer state over the years than I think is appreciated in Washington,” Bolton said.
Bolton also thought that foreign policy would be a factor in winning over “Trump voters” in Wisconsin. “I think a lot of these people, not just in Wisconsin but across the country would have qualified 30 years ago as Reagan Democrats,” Bolton said. “It is not necessarily they’ve abandoned the Democratic Party but the Democratic Party has certainly abandoned them. And I think they’re winnable to a candidate who understands the importance of a strong foreign policy.”
Bolton served as UN Ambassador under President George W. Bush. Bolton currently serves as a foreign policy senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and is a contributor to FOX News Channel.
Nicholson is a former U.S. Marine and is a businessman from Delafield, WI. State Senator Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, announced Thursday she is also running for Senate.
