A GOP senator just compared the 2016 election with 9/11

Speaking at the Wisconsin Republican Party Convention on Saturday, Sen. Ron Johnson likened the 2016 presidential election to Sept. 11's Flight 93, which crashed after the passengers decided to fight the hijackers and keep the plane from hitting its target.

"We're going to be encouraging our fellow citizens to take a vote," said Johnson, who has endorsed Donald Trump. "It may not be life and death, like the vote the passengers on United Flight 93 took, but boy is it consequential."

Johnson also said he's "more panicked" for the future of the country than he was when he took office, WITI-TV reports. The senator is running for re-election in a tight race against former Sen. Russ Feingold (D), whom Johnson defeated in 2010.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up