Expect to hear more Democratic whining about big money influencing politics. Combined, the Republican Party, Governor Scott Walker’s campaign and the campaign of Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch have over $5 million on hand. The governor himself has raised $3.5 million since the beginning of the year.
From the Walker campaign press release:
The more than $5 million includes:
· More than $2.4 million cash on hand for Friends of Scott Walker, after raising $3.5 million in the first half of the year. This total surpasses the cash on hand the governor had in the first half of 2013 as he geared up for re-election, and matches what he raised in the same time period.
· More than $1.2 million cash on hand for People for Rebecca, which gives Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch more cash on hand than any lieutenant governor in the history of Wisconsin.
· More than $1.7 million cash on hand for the Republican Party of Wisconsin’s state account.
The Walker campaign says 85 percent of the donations received are $100 or less.
Walker has one relatively serious Democratic Party challenger so far, businessman Andy Gronik. Gronik told the Associated Press he would not be self-financing his gubernatorial campaign because, “I think it makes you your own special interest and that’s not where I’m coming from.”
Kleefisch’s $1.2 million is a reminder that she should not be underestimated if she decides to run for governor after Walker or to succeed Senator Ron Johnson in 2022.
