MADISON - During the final weeks of U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's reelection campaign, a top aide sought an opinion on Democrats' campaign activities from a felon convicted of fraud who once claimed without evidence that a "sect" of Milwaukee officials illegally printed ballots for Joe Biden in 2020.
Records released under Wisconsin's public records law show Johnson's deputy chief of staff emailed Peter Bernegger in October 2022, asking whether a get-out-the-vote operation aimed at Black residents was legal.
The program in question was described as including a "'Protect our vote' black SUV with a picture of Congressional Black Caucus leader John Lewis on its side." The driver said "these vans are all over the city, they had a caravan on Sunday and they're trying to 'get everyone to register to vote,'" according to an email from Julie Leschke in Johnson's office to Bernegger. Leschke asked Bernegger if he was aware of the effort and whether it was legal.
The email was shared with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by liberal watchdog group American Oversight, which received it as part of a response to a request to state Rep. Janel Brandtjen for records under the public records law. The email was forwarded by Bernegger to Brandtjen.
Corinne Day, a spokeswoman for Johnson, said Bernegger "has never advised the senator on election matters."
"Senator Johnson has fought for transparency in election integrity like Mr. Bernegger," Day said.
Bernegger didn't answer whether he has provided...
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