Godlewski announces run for Johnson’s seat in 2022
Launch video highlights contrasts with senator
Taking the fight straight to Republican Ron Johnson, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski announced Wednesday that she’s running for U.S. Senate.
Godlewski joined an increasingly crowded field of Democratic hopefuls eager to challenge Johnson, who has not yet announced if he’ll seek a third term in the U.S. Senate next year.
In a video to launch her campaign, Godlewski sought to set up a contrast with Johnson and said: “We’re ... how do I put it nicely? Different.”
“Ron Johnson has spent his time covering up for Donald Trump, denying climate change and catering to the superwealthy,” she said.
Godlewski fiercely criticized Johnson’s comments on the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, in which he said, “This really didn’t seem like an armed insurrection to me.”
Godlewski declared: “I don’t think you show respect by beating and killing police officers.”
Godlewski vowed to work to create jobs, help small businesses, combat climate change, raise the minimum wage and lower the cost of prescription drugs.
“And yes, we can get rid of the filibuster because that’s what it takes to get the job done,” she said.
Godlewski, 39, was born and raised in Eau Claire, the oldest daughter of two public school teachers.
According to her campaign release, she co-founded MaSa Partners in 2015, a small business incubator. Her husband, Max Duckworth, was the other co-founder. She previously served as co-chair of UNICEF USA’s Advocacy Leadership Group.
In 2016, she served as director for women’s outreach for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in Wisconsin.
In early 2018, Godlewski helped lead the fight against a constitutional amendment to abolish the then-170year-old office of state treasurer. By a wide margin, voters turned back the amendment push.
Godlewski then jumped in the race to fill the position, winning a three-way Democratic primary. She was elected state treasurer in November 2018, narrowly defeating Republican Travis Hartwig during a Democratic sweep of statewide offices.
As state treasurer, Godlewski sits the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, which manages a $1.2 billion fund that helps Wisconsin schools.
Most of the powers of the office have been all but eliminated by the Legislature.
An energetic campaigner, Godlewski’s run has drawn national interest.
EMILY’s List, the political group that supports abortion rights and puts its fundraising muscle behind Democratic women candidates, said this week it is diving into the Wisconsin race. The group announced Johnson is one of its political targets in the upcoming election cycle, an opposition program it calls “On Notice.”
Even though EMILY’s List didn’t mention her name in a news release, the move was the biggest signal yet that the group will back Godlewski.
Questions have been raised about one part of her resume. Over the years, stories and online accounts said she has a master’s degree in public administration from Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. Godlewski was in the program but contends she has never told anyone that she has a master’s degree from any university.
In a statement, Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Anna Kelly accused Godlewski of “embellishing her accomplishments, lying about her resume
“We’re ... how do I put it nicely? Different. Ron Johnson has spent his time covering up for Donald Trump, denying climate change and catering to the super-wealthy.”
Sarah Godlewski, in campaign video
and failing to deliver anything of substance. Wisconsinites deserve a Senator who wants to serve Wisconsin — not herself.”
Godlewski’s campaign said she won’t take money from corporate political action committees. She is due to hit the campaign trail next week with launch events across the state.
Democrats are poised to assemble a deep field for a competitive Senate primary, the likes of which the party hasn’t seen since 1992 when Russ Feingold emerged as the nominee.
Alex Lasry, on leave from his executive role with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson are already running. So is Gillian Battino, a radiologist.
Others considering jumping into the contest include Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Steven Olikara, founder of Millennial Action Project.
The primary will be held Aug. 9, 2022.