Consistent with recent elections, Democrats are winning direct fundraising in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. But Republicans are well ahead in independent spending, thanks mainly to Elon Musk.
Richard Uihlein, Eric Hovde and Tim Michels have each given the maximum. The Waukesha County judge and former state AG has raised more than $3 million so far in his campaign for the state’s highest court.
Politics is awash in cash from billionaires using Super PACs to blast political ads. Experts say a donation limit could have monumental effects in Wisconsin. First the Maine law must survive court challenges.
Richard Uihlein and Tim Michels have each given Schimel the maximum $20,000. The Waukesha County judge and former AG has raised about $2 million so far in his campaign for the state’s high court.
The ultrawealthy are using a loophole in state law to flood our elections with cash and ads. State Republicans 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.