Rep. Tom Tiffany, the incumbent Republican, has raised about $1.2 million. Right-wing billionaires like the Uihleins, Diane Hendricks of ABC Supply and the Kwik Trip co-founder all made big donations.
By Peter Cameron, THE BADGER PROJECT
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany has outraised his longshot Democratic opponent by a rate of nearly six to one, according to the candidates’ campaign finance reports.
Tiffany reported raising nearly $1.2 million through mid-October, the final reporting deadline before the election, according to his reports to the Federal Elections Commission. His challenger, Democrat Kyle Kilbourn, reported raising about $215,000 in the same time frame.
The incumbent reported having more than $210,000 remaining for the final three weeks of the election. Kilbourn reported having about $35,000 on hand.
Right-wing billionaire megadonors like Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, founders of the shipping supplies company ULINE, Diane Hendricks of ABC Supply and the co-founder of Kwik Trip Donald Zeitlow all gave the legal maximum of $6,600, or close to it, to Tiffany’s campaign.
Several members of the billionaire Wanek family, which owns Ashley Furniture, also gave the maximum to Tiffany.
Elizabeth Uihlein and Hendricks also have given millions to the Republican Party of Wisconsin, which can distribute that cash directly to political candidates across the state.
Money the candidates raise mostly goes towards political messaging: advertisements on TV, the radio and online, as well as mailed pamphlets. It can also be distributed to other candidates to help those in tougher races.
Tiffany, a Republican from Hazelhurst near Minocqua, was first elected to serve Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District in 2020. He previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate.
The Democratic challenger, Kyle Kilbourn, has served on the board of neighborhood groups in several communities where he has lived and has volunteered for the Oneida County Tourism Diversity & Equity Inclusion project, according to his campaign website.
Donations to candidates for federal offices from individuals are capped at $3,300 per election, so a person can give a candidate for Congress a max of $6,600 per election cycle, as it includes both a primary and a general. Political action committees that give to multiple candidates can donate up to $5,000 per election, for a total of $10,000 per election cycle.
ISSUES
Tiffany’s platform stresses border security and building a strong economy, according to his campaign website. In July 2024, the incumbent introduced a bill to designate the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior as Wisconsin’s first National Park.
A fierce supporter of former President Donald Trump, Tiffany backed an unsuccessful and widely-panned attempt to have the U. S. Supreme Court overturn the 2020 election.
On Jan. 6, 2021, Tiffany was one of 147 Republicans who objected to certifying the results of the presidential election in two states. Later that day, members of Congress had to flee as the U.S. Capitol was attacked by an angry mob of Trump supporters.
Kilbourn’s platform prioritizes supporting working families, creating accessible health care in rural communities and the importance of environmental stewardship, according to his campaign website. This is his first time running for Congress.
Tiffany reports owning a billboard in Oneida, Wisconsin, according to his mandatory financial disclosure report to the U.S. House.
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