Wisconsin business owner Bill Berrien has ended his Republican campaign for governor, days after it was reported that he followed numerous s
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin business owner Bill Berrien, a supporter of President Donald Trump, ended his Republican campaign for governor on Friday, days after it was reported that he followed numerous sexually explicit accounts online, including a nonbinary pornography performer.
Berrien, a former Navy SEAL and one of three announced prominent Republican candidates, issued a lengthy statement saying “I had no idea that running for political office could be almost as dangerous” as “hunting down war criminals in Bosnia.” Berrien said he concluded he could not win the Republican primary.
“Looking towards what is in the best interest of the party, voters, donors, and my family, I have decided to end my campaign,” he said.
Berrien’s departure leaves U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who got into the race on Tuesday, and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann as the only Republican candidates. There are numerous Democrats running. The primary is in August.
Berrien has an account on the online platform Medium.com where he followed nonbinary porn performer Jiz Lee and several other authors of sexually explicit essays. He also followed “publications,” which are similar to blogs, that dealt with exploring sexuality, including having relationships with multiple partners.
Manufacturing executive Bill Berrien ran on a campaign of family values but dropped out after a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Manufacturing executive Bill Berrien ran on a campaign of family values but dropped out after a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
