Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson celebrated his latest endorsement the only way he really could — chugging down a pint of Miller Lite.
His quick five-second chug, complimented by the bartender, followed his endorsement by the Tavern League of Wisconsin, a non-partisan trade association with 5,000 members.
The endorsement of the long-time businessman and one-term senator was remarkable because the Tavern owners backed Johnson’s Democratic opponent, former Sen. Russ Feingold, in their last matchup.
“As a manufacturer, I understand the challenges facing small businesses – and you don’t get much more Wisconsin than our bar and tavern owners, so I’m certainly raising a glass over this one,” said Johnson. “We need to get Washington out of the way so our bar and tavern owners – and the good folks they employ – are able to keep more money in their pockets and help create more jobs and economic opportunity for working families across Wisconsin.”
Terry Harvath, president of the Tavern League, said: “As an organization of small business owners trying to create jobs in our local communities, we appreciate having someone fighting for us who knows what it’s like. Ron Johnson’s background as a manufacturer means he knows how to get results, and Wisconsin’s tavern owners are proud to stand with him because we need more people like him in Washington.”
For the record, Johnson prefers Milwaukee’s own Miller Lite.
The endorsement is a coup for in the beer loving state, and supporting bars will hang Johnson’s picture and official endorsement.
To commemorate, Johnson downed his Miller Lite at Terry’s bar in Oshkosh, and the bartender said, “that’s pretty good” of his chugging.
It comes as the campaign is seeing support strengthen in the state.
An internal campaign memo provided to Secrets said that Johnson has a larger war chest than Feingold and independents breaking in favor of the Republican.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
