MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Sen. Ron Johnson is joining with others in his party distancing themselves from presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States. Johnson is running for re-election against Democrat Russ Feingold. Johnson’s spokesman Brian Reisinger issued a statement Tuesday saying Trump’s proposal is not serious or well thought out. Reisinger says, “We’ve always been a country with a big heart, and we don’t need a religious test to fix our immigration problems.” Feingold posted stronger words on Facebook Monday night, calling Trump’s plan “hateful and prejudicial.” Trump says banning Muslim immigrants and visitors is warranted after attacks by Muslim extremists in Paris and last week’s shooting in San Bernardino, California.
