Both candidates in Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race are weighing in on Donald Trump's controversial comments about women, revealed last week.
In this closely watched battle, the words and actions of both presidential candidates are becoming ammunition on the campaign trail.
Democratic candidate Russ Feingold calls the entire Trump situation a distraction, saying it's taking people away from the real issues.
"He doesn't understand the issues, he doesn't have the attention span," says Feingold during a campaign stop in Eau Claire Tuesday, "and he divides people in order to try to succeed politically."
Feingold believes his challenger, incumbent Republican Senator Ron Johnson, is making a mistake.
"This is wrong, and Senator Johnson is irresponsible for not doing what all kinds of other Republican senators are doing," says Feingold, "which is to say 'wait a minute, I'm an American first, not a politician, and that means not supporting Donald Trump.'"
Meanwhile, Johnson making it clear Hillary Clinton has her own political demons, as calls from Trump supporters to "lock her up" over her e-mail scandal grow.
"I'm not going to defend Donald Trump's despicable words. They're indefensible," explains Johnson, "but I don't know how Sen. Feingold can defend Hillary Clinton's actions."
This strategy is nothing new in a race for Congress, especially this year when candidates on both sides are uncertain of how the president's race will impact their own.
This week, a Loras College of Wisconsin poll shows Johnson leading Feingold 45% to 40%.
"What matters is what people do here in four weeks," says Feingold.
In an official statement Tuesday, Johnson's campaign stating:
"With just four weeks left, momentum is clearly behind Ron as more and more Wisconsin voters back his practical solutions as an Oshkosh manufacturer over Senator Feingold's 34 years as a career politician saying one thing and doing another on every issue. Our campaign looks forward to continuing to work hard and spread our message to every corner of Wisconsin."
- Brian Reisinger, campaign spokesman
The latest Loras College poll also shows Clinton ahead of Trump in Wisconsin 43% to 35%.
It surveyed 500 likely voters.
