The Wisconsin recalls targeting six incumbents are moving full speed ahead — with plenty of cash coming in. In fact, two GOP incumbents alone, Alberta Darling and Dan Kapanke, have raised more money this year than all Democratic candidates combined in the various races. At the same time, though, the Dems are headed into the home stretch of the August 9 elections with more total cash on hand than the Republicans.
As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, the Republicans were able to raise more money in part due to a longer fundraising and campaigning period for themselves — as the incumbents, they could solicit donations as soon as recall petitions were being circulated against them. The challengers, however, had to wait until the elections themselves were triggered, and then declare their candidacies.
In total, the six individual Republicans raised $2,446,405.23, compared to $1,565,147 raised by their six Democratic challengers. However, due to the fact that the Republicans have been campaigning and spending money already, in total they have $892,455.42 on hand, going into the final month of the campaign, compared to $949,185 on hand by the six Dems.
Financial data has not yet been filed for the recall elections targeting three incumbent Democrats, as those elections are being held a week later than those of the GOP incumbents.
• District 2: GOP state Sen. Rob Cowles: $100,521.67 raised this year, with $62,168.28 on hand. His Dem challenger Nancy Nusbaum: $177,300 raised this year, $133,682 on hand.
• District 8: GOP state Sen. Alberta Darling: $958,418.33 raised this year, with $401,382.06 on hand. Her Dem challenger Sandy Pasch: $431,301 raised, $216,439 on hand.
• District 10: GOP state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf: $327,732.54 raised this year, with $141,962.93 on hand. Her Dem challenger Shelly Moore: $236,728 raised, $91,587 on hand.
• District 14: GOP state Sen. Luther Olsen: $107,111.27 raised this year, with $70,656.40 on hand. His Dem challenger Fred Clark: $226,501 raised, $163,197 cash on hand.
• District 18: GOP state Sen. Randy Hopper: $226,707.94 raised this year, with $92,461.39 on hand. His Dem challenger Jessica King: $221,932 raised, $190,646 cash on hand.
• District 32: GOP state Sen. Dan Kapanke: $725,913.48 raised this year, with $123,824.36 on hand. His Dem challenger Jennifer Shilling: $271,385 raised, $153,634 cash on hand.
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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