Politics

Klobuchar makes first official Wisconsin campaign stop in Eau Claire

Published

5 years ago

February 16, 2019

Presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is surrounded by reporters during a Saturday campaign stop at an Eau Claire bicycle shop (WIZM News photo)

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Less than a week into her campaign for president, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar has crossed the border into Wisconsin to meet with voters in Eau Claire.

The Twin Cities Democrat spoke Saturday to an overflow crowd at SHIFT Cyclery, a combination bicycle repair store and coffee shop.

Klobuchar joked about campaigning indoors, compared to being covered in snow during her outdoor announcement speech in Minneapolis last weekend.

She also recalled speaking at a barn somewhere in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, as a guest of La Crosse Rep. Ron Kind.

Klobuchar spoke of building bridges, politically and literally, as she mentioned Minnesota bridges she has worked to develop in Hastings, Red Wing and Winona, as well as the rebuilt I35-W bridge in Minneapolis.

Accompanied by her husband, John Bessler, and their daughter, Klobuchar called on Washington to focus on issues affecting rural America, including health care in small towns and rural access to broadband.

Klobuchar has promised to campaign extensively in Wisconsin, where her mother grew up.

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.