Johnson defends faith-based effort questioned by Feingold

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Republican Sen. Ron Johnson says it’s “sad” that his Democratic challenger Russ Feingold would question the value of a faith-based jobs initiative he spearheaded.

Johnson has touted the Joseph Project during the campaign. It connects inner-city workers in Milwaukee with jobs in Sheboygan.

Feingold says in a Tuesday interview with Wisconsin Public Radio that “it’s not enough to pick people up in a van and send them away a couple hours and have them come back exhausted at the end of the day.” He is calling for a broader approach to fight poverty.

Johnson told reporters in Janesville that “it’s literally sad that he would denigrate, that he would basically attack, a program that has transformed people’s lives.”

Also Wednesday, the Tavern League of Wisconsin endorsed Johnson after backing Feingold in 2010.