Rebecca Kleefisch

Rebecca Ann Reed was born in Pontiac, Michigan.{{Cite web |last1=Redman |first1=Henry |date=2022-08-03 |title=Opposition to abortion ban exemptions leaves child sex assault victims with limited options |url=https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2022/08/03/opposition-to-abortion-ban-exemptions-leaves-child-sex-assault-victims-with-limited-options/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Wisconsin Examiner |language=en-US}} Her family later relocated to Ohio, where she won the Miss Ohio Teen USA 1994 title. On August 16, 1994, she competed in the nationally televised Miss Teen USA 1994 pageant as Miss Ohio Teen USA in Biloxi, Mississippi, but did not place in the competition. Reed graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.{{cite web|last=Sykes|first=Charlie|title=Update: Rebecca Kleefisch Announces|url=http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/charliesykes/82051492.html|publisher=WTMJ (AM)|access-date=December 29, 2010|archive-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504120211/http://www.620wtmj.com/blogs/charliesykes/82051492.html|url-status=dead}} She was a reporter for WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois, and then was a reporter and later morning anchor for WISN-TV in Milwaukee, before leaving in 2004. Kleefisch formed her own company, Rebecca Kleefisch Enterprises and was a contributor to Charlie Sykes' program on WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee.

Kleefisch supports Wisconsin's 1849 abortion ban that went into effect in 2022 after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision by the United States Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion in the United States. The law bans abortion in all instances except to save the life of the mother.{{Cite web |title=Views on abortion to shake up campaigns, upcoming elections in Wisconsin |url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/views-on-abortion-to-shake-up-campaigns-upcoming-elections-in-wisconsin |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=CBS58 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=UPFRONT: Evers, Kleefisch comment on abortion law |url=https://www.wbay.com/2022/06/26/upfront-evers-kleefisch-comment-abortion-law/ |access-date=2022-08-02}} Kleefisch believes that abortion should be illegal in all other instances, including after rape or incest,{{Citation |title=WITI: Rebecca Kleefisch Opposes Exceptions for Rape and Incest in Abortion Law | date=May 6, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VCjcBG4hCQ |language=en |access-date=2022-08-04}} or to protect the health of the mother.{{Cite web |title=Upfront: Evers, Kleefisch comment on abortion law |url=https://www.wbay.com/2022/06/26/upfront-evers-kleefisch-comment-abortion-law/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=WBAY |date=June 26, 2022 |language=en}} She also wrote{{Cite web |title=Kleefisch post on Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D109063512479073%26id%3D200235085948%26link_id%3D1%26can_id%3Dc6577699a196c722ad9afeb5a9abfb2b%26source%3Demail-wisconsin-gop-playing-partisan-games-with-education-funding-again%26email_referrer%3Demail_1304356%26email_subject%3Dshe-said-what-rebecca-kleefisch-agreed-that-survivors-of-rape-should-turn-lemons-into-lemonade |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Facebook |language=en}} that she agrees with Sharron Angle that raped women should "turn lemons into lemonade" by having their rapist's child.

Kleefisch has indicated support for same-sex marriage, acknowledging her views have changed since she compared same-sex marriage to marrying a dog or an inanimate object in 2010, comments she later called a "poor choice of words."{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Bice|url=https://archive.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/106135868.html/|title=Kleefisch's uncle objects to anti-gay marriage statement|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=October 28, 2010| access-date=January 13, 2011}}"[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/10/28/kleefisch_apologizes_for_gay_marriage_comment/ Kleefisch apologizes for gay marriage comment]", The Boston Globe, October 28, 2010.{{cite news|last=Shahid|first=Aliyah|date=October 29, 2010|title=GOP candidate, Rebecca Kleefisch, in Wisconsin: Sorry for comparing gay marriage to marrying a dog|newspaper=New York Daily News|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/gop-candidate-rebecca-kleefisch-wisconsin-comparing-gay-marriage-marrying-a-dog-article-1.186522|access-date=January 13, 2011}}"[http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/goper-for-wisconsin-lt-gov-apologizes-for-comparing-gay-marriage-to-bestiality-or-marrying-a-table.php WI GOPer Apologizes For Comparing Gay Marriage To Bestiality Or Marrying A Table] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211113444/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/goper-for-wisconsin-lt-gov-apologizes-for-comparing-gay-marriage-to-bestiality-or-marrying-a-table.php |date=February 11, 2013 }}", Talking Points Memo DC, October 29, 2010."[http://www.wisn.com/news/25558683/detail.html After Comments, Kleefisch's Gay Uncle Supporting Opponent]", WISN 12 News, October 28, 2010. By 2022, Kleefisch said "I am in the same place that I would say as a vast majority of Wisconsinites and Americans are. My opinion has changed…gay marriage will be legal when I am governor of Wisconsin."{{cite news |last1=Fannon |first1=Emilee |title=Kleefisch supports upholding access to birth control, gay marriage as some fear rollback of civil liberties |url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/kleefisch-supports-upholding-access-to-birth-control-gay-marriage-as-some-fear-rollback-of-civil-liberties |access-date=2022-08-02}}

Kleefisch opposes the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has supported efforts to repeal the legislation. She has called the ACA "an abomination."{{Cite web |last=Beck |first=Molly |title=Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, a cancer survivor, pushes back on ad suggesting pre-existing conditions protections are in jeopardy |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/09/14/lt-gov-rebecca-kleefisch-cancer-survivor-blasts-dems-over-ad-suggesting-pre-existing-conditions-prot/1291920002/ |access-date=2021-06-20 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |language=en-US}}

Kleefisch criticized Wisconsin's progressive income tax system and has promised "transformational income tax reform" if she were to become governor. She suggested eliminating taxes on retirement income.{{cite news |last1=Marley |first1=Patrick |title=Rebecca Kleefisch nods at moving Wisconsin to a flat income tax as she pursues run for governor |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/04/20/rebecca-kleefisch-nods-moving-wisconsin-flat-income-tax/7372139001/ |access-date=2022-08-02}}

Kleefisch is open to paid family leave, saying "we need to make sure that moms and dads have time to bond with their babies. That's absolutely something that I would look at as governor."{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Shawn |title=Republicans signal support for paid family leave in governor's debate |url=https://www.wpr.org/republicans-signal-support-paid-family-leave-governors-debate |access-date=2022-08-02}}

In 2009, Kleefisch said that there is "no consensus that people have caused climate change."{{cite web|last=Kleefisch |first=Rebecca |title=Is it cold or is it just me? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2S5bAm37UU&gl=US&hl=en |work=RebeccaforReal |access-date=June 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605173833/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2S5bAm37UU&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=June 5, 2012 }}

In 2012, when she faced a recall election, Kleefisch criticized the recall process, arguing that it has become a "spectacle" and were designed only to recall officials guilty of grave wrongdoing, rather than used as a way to resolve policy disputes. In 2021, however, Kleefisch championed the recall election of four Mequon-Thiensville School District over policy disputes.{{Cite web|author=Daniel Bice|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|title=Kleefisch, once recall critic, backs Mequon-Thiensville school recall|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/daniel-bice/2021/10/19/kleefisch-once-recall-critic-backs-mequon-thiensville-school-board-recall/8509030002/|date=October 19, 2021}} In 2022, she proposed removing some election-related powers from the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission and transferring them to the state Department of Justice, headed by the elected state attorney general.[https://apnews.com/article/elections-wisconsin-scott-walker-election-2020-rebecca-kleefisch-7ae36e866d1b52f85fc34c3c8f3876eb Kleefisch proposes shifting some election duties to DOJ], Associated Press (February 14, 2022).

In 2020, she praised Donald Trump's trade policies, as well as his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Oppenheim|first=Oren|title=At Trump event, Rebecca Kleefisch criticizes state leadership on Kenosha shooting|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/08/24/rnc-kleefisch-criticizes-madison-kenosha-shooting/5626873002/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|language=en-US}} After Trump lost the 2020 presidential election and made false claims of fraud while refusing to concede, she defended Trump's false claims of fraud.{{Cite web|first=Briana |last=Reilly|title=Wisconsin Republicans grapple with state of party post-Trump|url=https://captimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-republicans-grapple-with-state-of-party-post-trump/article_a7ea2bba-6769-5696-ba46-e3e3786db76b.html|date=February 1, 2021|newspaper=The Capital Times|language=en}}

In 2021, she called for a ban on sanctuary cities, as well as a ban on the teaching of critical race theory in public schools.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-09|title=Republican Kleefisch enters Wisconsin governor's race|url=https://apnews.com/article/health-wisconsin-campaigns-coronavirus-pandemic-legislature-261bc17e6e7dcaa1b1bf1b9934d818cd|access-date=2021-09-10|work=Associated Press|language=en}}

Although Kleefisch's husband Joel had been a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly since being elected in 2004, Kleefisch's own first entry into politics began when she ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2010.Tim Cuprisin, [https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/kleefischinpolitics OnMedia: From the anchor desk to state politics], On Milwaukee (2010).Daniel Bice, [https://archive.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/102265754.html/ Candidate's campaign manager is man upstairs" Wisconsin lieutenant governor candidate Kleefisch makes religious appeal]. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (September 5, 2010). During her Republican primary campaign, Scott Jensen was her strategist; she made appeals to conservative talk radio hosts and Tea Party groups,Bruce Murphy, [https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2014/10/07/murphys-law-the-lt-governor-nobody-wanted/ The Lt. Governor Nobody Wanted], Urban Milwaukee (October 7, 2014). as well as social conservatives and the Christian right, circulating a flier saying that, if elected, she would be "relying on the wisdom and faith she has in Jesus." In the primary election, she defeated four rivals, including Brett Davis, who had support from the party establishment and was favored by Scott Walker, the Republican candidate for governor. In the November 2010 general election, she won election on a single ticket as Walker's running mate.Jason Stein, [https://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/128540363.html/ Would governor recall be a package deal? Accountability board researching whether a Walker ticket would include Kleefisch], Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (August 27, 2011).

Kleefisch spent eight years as lieutenant governor under Walker.Madeline Heim, [https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/oct/26/ben-wikler/yes-foxconn-deal-was-largest-government-incentive-/ Yes, Foxconn deal was largest government incentive package offered to a foreign company], PolitiFact (October 26, 2021). Along with Walker, Kleefisch played a major role in supporting and promoting the $3 billion incentive package to Foxconn.[https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2022/04/18/protesters-criticize-kleefisch-supporting-foxconn-project/7331734001/ Protesters criticize Kleefisch for supporting Foxconn project], Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (April 18, 2022).

In 2018, Kleefisch claimed that her campaign opponent Mandela Barnes was kneeling during the U.S. national anthem protests at the Wisconsin State Fair.{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2018 |title='Rebecca, for real?' Mandela Barnes calls Kleefisch's claims he knelt during anthem 'crazy' |url=https://fox6now.com/2018/09/17/rebecca-for-real-mandela-barnes-calls-kleefischs-claims-he-knelt-during-anthem-crazy/ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |website=FOX6Now.com |language=en}} She later apologized for making the claim.{{Cite web |author=Scott Bauer |date=September 18, 2019 |title=Wisconsin official apologizes to opponent over flag flap |url=https://apnews.com/article/eeb07260d0a64b8da2392c1b3b7caeab |work=Associated Press}}

{{main|Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election}}

Following a contentious collective bargaining dispute in 2011, an effort began to recall Walker and Kleefisch. After examining petitions, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board determined there were more than 800,000 valid signatures to hold a recall election.{{cite news |title=GAB staff finds more than 900,000 valid signatures to recall Walker |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |url=http://www.jsonline.com/newswatch/144948425.html |access-date=March 30, 2012}} In the June 5, 2012 recall election, Walker and Kleefisch were retained in office. Kleefisch is the only lieutenant governor in the history of any state in the United States to face recall election and ultimately survive a recall.{{cite news |date=June 5, 2012 |title=Wis. Lt. Gov. Kleefisch survives recall election |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/elections-wisconsin-scott-walker-rebecca-kleefisch-recall-elections-5a183cdbcbbc429583e7aaae96d80f51}}

In January 2019,{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpr.org/rebecca-kleefisch-head-national-group-commemorating-womens-suffrage|title=Rebecca Kleefisch To Head National Group Commemorating Women's Suffrage|date=January 23, 2019|website=Wisconsin Public Radio|language=en|access-date=February 15, 2019}} Kleefisch was appointed to serve as the executive director of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/news/oconomowoc/2019/01/25/former-wisconsin-lieutenant-governor-takes-new-job/2680172002/|title=Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch appointed executive director of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|language=en|access-date=February 15, 2019}} She served in that position until becoming a Jobs Ambassador for Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin in November 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abcwi.org/chapter-news/former-lt-gov-kleefisch-partners-with-abc-of-wisconsin|title=Former Lt. Gov. Kleefisch partners with ABC of Wisconsin|date=November 12, 2019|website=ABC Wisconsin|language=en|access-date=October 25, 2020}} As a jobs ambassador, she promotes careers in the skilled construction trades.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mkelifestyle.com/mkepeople/movers-shakers/article_cde6fca8-b171-11ea-bfa8-07ca8e86d8b6.html|title=Movers & Shakers|date=February 21, 2020|website=MKElifestyle|language=en|access-date=October 25, 2020}}

{{main|2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election}}

In September 2021, Kleefisch announced that she would seek the Republican nomination for Governor of Wisconsin in the following year's election.{{cite web |title=Former GOP lieutenant governor launches bid to oust Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/former-gop-lieutenant-governor-launches-bid-oust-wisconsin-democratic-gov-n1278732 |website=NBC News |date=September 9, 2021 |language=en}} In her announcement, she likened herself to Donald Trump. She began her campaign by criticizing the leadership of incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers and attacking his response to the 2020 Kenosha unrest.{{cite web |last1=Steinhauser |first1=Paul |title=Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov Kleefisch launches GOP challenge against Democratic Gov. Evers |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/former-wisconsin-lt-gov-kleefisch-gop-challenge-against-democratic-gov-evers |website=Fox News |date=8 September 2021}} In October 2021, she told Republicans that they needed to "hire mercenaries" and engage in "ballot harvesting" (a practice she has called for banning) to help her win the 2022 race.{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Rebecca Kleefisch says Republicans need to 'hire mercenaries'|url=https://www.jsonline.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F2021%2F10%2F26%2Fkleefisch-calls-hiring-mercenaries-win-race-governor%2F8542557002%2F|access-date=2021-10-26|website=www.jsonline.com}} In November 2021, she said that a vaccine requirement for poll workers in Wisconsin was intended to prevent Republicans from becoming poll workers and thus hide wrongdoing.{{Cite web|last=Marley|first=Patrick|title=Rebecca Kleefisch contends Madison is using a vaccine mandate to keep Republicans from serving as poll workers|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2021/11/17/wisconsin-rebecca-kleefisch-says-vaccine-rule-stop-republicans-working-polls/8656335002/|access-date=2021-11-18|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|language=en-US}} Kleefisch recently sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission, alleging that they broke the law during the 2020 election.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-15|title=Kleefisch Files Lawsuit Against Wisconsin Elections Commission|url=https://rebeccaforgovernor.com/kleefisch-files-lawsuit-against-wisconsin-elections-commission/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Rebecca Kleefisch for Governor|language=en-US|archive-date=December 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201203315/https://rebeccaforgovernor.com/kleefisch-files-lawsuit-against-wisconsin-elections-commission/|url-status=dead}}

During her campaign, Kleefisch initially recognized that Biden won the 2020 election but by early 2022, she declined to take a position on the matter.{{Cite news|last=Epstein|first=Reid J.|date=2022-02-19|title=Fringe Scheme to Reverse 2020 Election Splits Wisconsin G.O.P.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/19/us/politics/wisconsin-election-decertification.html|access-date=2022-02-19|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|author=Scott Bauer|date=2022-02-17|title=Kleefisch used to believe Biden won Wisconsin, now won't say|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wisconsin-donald-trump-elections-election-2020-3f8fa22c09c36481c5a4aa904500f068|access-date=2022-02-19|work=Associated Press|language=en}} In April 2022, Kleefisch said that the election was "rigged."{{Cite web |last=Beck |first=Molly |title=With no evidence, Rebecca Kleefisch, Wisconsin candidate for governor, says 2020 election was 'rigged' |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/04/27/rebecca-kleefisch-says-2020-election-rigged-compares-deflategate/9551852002/ |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |language=en-US}} On decertifying the results of the 2020 election in Wisconsin, Kleefisch said it is "not constitutionally possible."{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Shawn |title=Republicans running for Wisconsin governor won't commit to backing Trump in 2024 |url=https://www.wpr.org/republicans-running-wisconsin-governor-wont-commit-backing-trump-2024 |access-date=2022-08-02}}

Kleefisch received the endorsement of former governor Walker months ahead of the primary, and was long regarded as the front-runner in the race. However, a June 2022 endorsement of her opponent Tim Michels along with a July endorsement Michels by former governor Tommy Thompson helped Michels to narrow the gap between them.{{cite web |last1=Kremer |first1=Rich |title=Thompson, Trump endorsements for Tim Michels stir GOP primary race for governor |url=https://www.wpr.org/politics/thompson-trump-endorsements-tim-michels-stir-gop-primary-race-governor |website=WPR |access-date=2 November 2024 |date=11 July 2022}} Kleefisch was defeated in the primary by Michels, who himself went on to lose the general election to incumbent Evers.

Kleefisch is married to former State Representative Joel Kleefisch, who was also a reporter for WISN-TV. They have two daughters.{{cite web|title=Bio|url=http://www.rebeccaforreal.com/bio/|publisher=rebeccaforreal.com|access-date=March 31, 2012|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125014706/http://www.rebeccaforreal.com/bio/|url-status=dead}} They lived in Oconomowoc, located 16 miles west of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and were members of Crosspoint Community Church, a Christian & Missionary Alliance-affiliated megachurch in Oconomowoc. Since losing re-election, Kleefisch and her family moved to Concord, Wisconsin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyunion.com/news/rebecca-kleefisch-settling-into-life-after-lieutenant-governorship/article_41b4ca67-5573-5efd-ae67-b335ce0466ba.html|title=Rebecca Kleefisch settling into life after lieutenant governorship|last=Sharp|first=Steve|website=Daily Jefferson County Union|date=January 10, 2019 |language=en|access-date=February 15, 2019}}

In late August 2010, Kleefisch was diagnosed with colon cancer.{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Jason|title=Kleefisch treated for cancer|url=https://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/news/104053264.html/|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=September 29, 2010}} She had a tumor removed in early September 2010, and finished chemotherapy treatment by April 2011.{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=Jim|title=In Focus: Rebecca Kleefisch|url=https://vimeo.com/22309940|publisher=WVCY-TV|access-date=April 15, 2011}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title=2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election{{cite news |title=Wisconsin Governor Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/wisconsin-governor |work=New York Times |date=January 28, 2019 |language=en}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tony Evers/Mandela Barnes

|votes = 1324648

|percentage = 49.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Walker/Rebecca Kleefisch (Incumbent)

|votes = 1293799

|percentage = 48.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Phil Anderson/Patrick Baird

|votes = 20320

|percentage = 0.8

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title=2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election{{cite web |url= http://www.jrn.com/tmj4/elections?race=0 |title= Wisconsin gubernatorial election, 2014 |website= WTMJ-TV |location= Milwaukee, WI |access-date= November 9, 2014 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141107191524/http://www.jrn.com/tmj4/elections?race=0 |archive-date= November 7, 2014 }}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Scott Walker/Rebecca Kleefisch (Incumbent)

|votes = 1,259,031

|percentage = 52.29

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Mary Burke/John Lehman

|votes = 1,121,490

|percentage = 46.58

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Burke/Joseph Brost

|votes = 18,375

|percentage = 0.49

}}

{{Election box candidate no change|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Dennis Fehr

|votes = 9,004

|percentage = 0.37

}}

{{Election box majority no change|

|votes = 137,541

|percentage = 5.71%

}}

{{Election box total no change|

|votes = 2,407,900

|percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing|

|winner = Republican Party (US)

|loser = Democratic Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2012 Wisconsin lieutenant governor recall election{{cite web|url=http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/wisconsin-recall-results |title=Wisconsin Recall Election Results Map |publisher=Elections.huffingtonpost.com |access-date=July 23, 2012}}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| style="text-align:left;"| 14px

| candidate = Rebecca Kleefisch (Incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,301,739

| percentage = 52.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mahlon Mitchell

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,156,520

| percentage = 47.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,458,259

| percentage= 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial electionhttp://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/percent%20results%20post%20recount_120710.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Scott Walker/ Rebecca Kleefisch

|votes = 1,128,941

|percentage = 52.29%

|change = +6.93%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Tom Barrett/ Tom Nelson

|votes = 1,004,303

|percentage = 46.52%

|change = -6.24%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Third Party/ Write-In

|votes = 25,730

|percentage = 1.19%

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 124,638

|percentage = 5.77%

|change = -1.62%

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 2,158,974

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Republican Party (US)

|loser = Democratic Party (US)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

• List of female lieutenant governors in the United States

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Rebecca Kleefisch}}

• [https://rebeccaforgovernor.com Campaign website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811165253/https://rebeccaforgovernor.com/ |date=August 11, 2022 }}
• {{C-SPAN}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Jean Hundertmark}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin|years=2010, 2012, 2014, 2018}}

{{s-aft|after=Roger Roth}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Barbara Lawton}}

{{s-ttl|title=Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin|years=2011–2019}}

{{s-aft|after=Mandela Barnes}}

{{s-end}}

{{Lieutenant Governors of Wisconsin}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kleefisch, Rebecca}}

Category:1975 births

Category:21st-century Wisconsin politicians

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:American evangelicals

Category:American television news anchors

Category:American television reporters and correspondents

Category:Journalists from Wisconsin

Category:Lieutenant governors of Wisconsin

Category:Living people

Category:Politicians from Milwaukee

Category:Radio personalities from Milwaukee

Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni

Category:Wisconsin Republicans

Category:Women in Wisconsin politics

Category:American women television journalists

Category:American beauty pageant winners

Category:Beauty queen-politicians