evidence: Kleefisch announced her long-expected bid for governor Thursday morning in a campaign video. She is the first high-profile Republican to enter the race to challenge Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is seeking reelection for another four-year term. Kleefisch, 46, served as former Gov. Scott Walker’s lieutenant governor during his two terms in office, from 2011 until 2019. Along with Walker, Kleefisch survived a recall election in 2012. During her time in the Walker administration, Kleefisch focused on issues including support for small businesses, job training for incarcerated individuals and combating the state’s opioid epidemic. [...] Since leaving office, Kleefisch has worked as the executive director of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and as a jobs ambassador for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin. She launched a conservative advocacy organization, 1848 Project, last fall. Democrats have criticized the group, as well as a separate political action committee called Rebecca PAC, as inappropriate and potentially illegal campaign operations that existed ahead of an official gubernatorial campaign launch.