The ultrawealthy are using a loophole in Wisconsin law to flood our elections with cash and ads. Republicans in the state Legislature have refused to close it, so Democrats are now using it to their advantage.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden defeated his challenger by about 2.8% this year, a tighter margin than in 2022. Democrats are likely to make his district a priority again in 2026, which projects to be a good year for them.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has raised nearly $57 million this election, and is showering its candidates with cash. The state Republican Party has raised only about $29 million. Here are the billionaires behind much of that haul.
Since the opening of a loophole that allows Wisconsin political parties to raise and distribute unlimited amounts, the record has been broken many times. A race in the northern Milwaukee suburbs set it this year.
Republican businessman Tony Wied is favored in the right-leaning district, but trails his Democratic opponent and OB-GYN physician Kristin Lyerly in fundraising.
Facing his first serious challenge since he was elected in 2018, U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil has fundraised more than double that of Democratic challenger and veteran politician Pete Barca.
Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden and Democratic challenger Rebecca Cooke have raised a record amount as they run neck and neck in the race for the 3rd Congressional District.
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.
Democrats have a serious chance to retake the Legislature’s lower chamber. The state party is using its massive fundraising advantage to boost its veteran Rep. Steve Doyle in the 94th Assembly District.
Wisconsin’s 8th State Senate District is one of the most competitive races this year, experts say. Using their fundraising edge, state Democrats are sending huge sums to their candidate there.
When politicians and PACs break campaign finance law, regulators enforce penalties. The Badger Project requested every settlement in the history of the regulatory body, the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.