Democratic lawmaker calls for campaign donations to defeat COVID-stricken GOP senator [View all]

Last edited Thu Aug 26, 2021, 08:02 AM - Edit history (1)

A Madison Democratic lawmaker is facing blowback for soliciting campaign contributions to defeat Republican state Sen. Andre Jacque, a mask and vaccine mandate opponent who was hospitalized last week with COVID-19 and whom a colleague said was in need of prayers.

Jacque’s spokesperson, Matt Tompach, declined to comment on the De Pere Republican’s condition Tuesday, days after Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers, posted on his Facebook page asking followers to pray for Jacque, who was hospitalized on Aug. 16 after testing positive for COVID-19.

“He is in serious need of your prayers tonight,” Sortwell said Friday. “He is in the hospital with COVID-induced pneumonia.”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, citing two people with knowledge of Jacque's condition, reported Tuesday evening that Jacque on Monday was intubated and is breathing on a ventilator.

On Aug. 17, Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, tweeted in reference to Jacque’s attendance at two legislative committee meetings at the state Capitol days before his hospitalization. In at least one meeting, Jacque spoke without wearing a mask, which Roys called “selfish, irresponsible, dangerous behavior.”

Read more: https://madison.com/wsj/0283f0a2-edad-5b62-bd25-56a9ca293aab.html