Kevin Nicholson’s Checkbook Choice: Has Wisconsin U.S. Senate Hopeful Changed Positions to Snag Support of Illinois Millionaire?

MADISON, Wis. — Is Democratic National Convention keynote speaker Kevin Nicholson running away from his pro-choice past to appease his Illinois millionaire benefactor Dick Uihlein, given Uihlein’s robust financial support for anti-choice organizations and candidates? According to One Wisconsin Now, Nicholson, who is now considering a U.S. Senate run as a Republican, is raising serious questions about his credibility and trustworthiness with his changing positions on women’s health issues.

“Kevin Nicholson’s history on this issue seems to be a willingness to say whatever is politically expedient or, worse, whatever someone puts in front of him,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now Executive Director. “Out-of-touch millionaires like Uihlein might be willing to overlook Nicholson’s willingness to say whatever his current backers want him to, but people expect more integrity from candidates than that. While Nicholson’s position may not be clear, it is clear that you can’t trust his word.”

Nicholson’s unequivocal support for the right to choose from the floor of the Democratic National Convention is available here, where he offered the following comments to the assembled Democratic elected officials, donors and supporters:

“Our generation is deeply concerned with the issues of today, and we volunteer our time and our effort accordingly. We care about a woman’s right to choose.”

In addition, as the head of a national Democratic organization, Nicholson’s group wrote into its platform:

“The Democratic Party stands behind the right of every woman to choose, consistent with Roe v. Wade, and regardless of ability to pay.

“Over the last four years, the Democratic Party has taken action to end the gag rule and ensure safety at family planning and women’s health clinics.

“We believe it is a fundamental constitutional liberty that individual Americans – not government – can best take responsibility for making the most difficult and intensely personal decisions regarding reproduction.”

Uihlein, who originally pledged to spend $2 million to support a Nicholson Super PAC, has been a long supporter of right wing extremists who oppose the right to an abortion even if the life of the mother is in danger. Besides financing political candidates and Super PACs, Uihlein heads a foundation which spends over $10 million a year to support pro-life and right wing causes.