Fundraising invite for Senate candidate in Wisconsin promotes time with ‘above average people’

An invite that appeared to have been sent from the campaign of Wisconsin state Sen. Leah Vukmir (R), who’s running against incumbent U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D), promoted a fundraising event for “above average people.”

For $500, attendees are invited to “relax amongst other above average people while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and refreshments” on Sept. 5.

It was not immediately clear in the flyer what the campaign meant by “above average people.” Vukmir’s campaign said the phrase was “tongue in cheek.”

“Earlier this month, Sen. Baldwin attended two fundraisers in the Hamptons and this tongue-in-cheek statement was in response to her events,” Jess Ward, Vukmir’s campaign manager, told The Hill in an email.

The flyer noted that those donating $2,700 per couple would be invited to a “slow cruise around Upper Nemahbin Lake with Leah,” while those donating $5,400 per couple would also get a “uniquely patriotic photo opportunity, with God willing, our next U.S. Senator, Leah.”

The flyer also said it had been “Paid for by Leah for Senate”, while linking to her campaign page.

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The state lawmaker currently lags about 10 points behind Baldwin in a RealClearPolitics polling average.

Recent polls suggest the race could be tightening, however, as a Marquette University Law School poll found the race to be in a dead heat with Baldwin leading by just two points earlier this month.

Vukmir, who previously faced criticism from Republicans in the state for her past comments criticizing President Trump, won the state’s GOP Senate primary earlier this year after pledging to support Trump’s plan for a border wall and saying she to “drain the swamp.” 

-Updated Aug. 31 at 9:32 a.m.