Ron Johnson defends his 9/11 story, calls Russ Feingold's response 'disgusting'

MILWAUKEE -- U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson went on offense Monday against Democrats who are criticizing him for likening the 2016 elections to actions aboard a hijacked airplane on Sept. 11, 2001.

"The reason people don’t involve themselves in this political process is that type of reaction," Johnson told FOX6 News in an interview. "Those are political hacks in the Feingold campaign, just doing something disgusting."

Russ Feingold, Johnson's Democratic opponent, called it "inappropriate" for Johnson to compare the importance of this year's elections with the vote taken by passengers of United Flight 93. The passengers decided to storm the cockpit and retake control from their hijackers on 9/11. The plane ultimately crashed in Pennsylvania.

Johnson made the comparison during a speech at the Republican state convention in Green Bay over the weekend.

"We'll be encouraging our fellow citizens to take a vote," Johnson said on Saturday. "It may not be life and death like the vote the passengers on United Flight 93 took. But, boy, is it consequential."

Feingold, blasted Johnson on Sunday at a Democratic dinner in Racine. Speaking to FOX6 News beforehand, Feingold called the comparison "sad."

"(Wisconsinites) are not interested in somebody trying to compare their election to 9/11," Feingold said.

Johnson has made the story part of his stump speech. He said he tells audiences about it because it inspires him.

"I tell those stories as an inspiration. It has nothing to do with politics," Johnson said.

Johnson defeated Feingold in 2010. Their rematch is one of a handful of races that will decide which party controls the U.S. Senate.