"I'm concerned that the amount of money being spent and the independent expenditures are fraying at the democratic principles that we hold so dear in Wisconsin." - Gov. Tommy Thompson, November 6, 1996.

SUMMARY

Governor Thompson had nearly $7.3 million to spend during the 1998 election cycle (Chart 1). After starting the four-year cycle on January 1, 1995 with a cash-on-hand balance of $757,787, the Thompson campaign revved its fund raising engines. The campaign raised $6.5 million in contributions by December 31, 1998 - an average of over $30,000 per week.

The governor's campaign spent nearly $7.1 million during the cycle, including more than $5 million in election year 1998 alone. His campaign had a cash balance of $185,910 at the end of 1998.

The governor received 1,055,434 votes, which means that he spent $6.72 per vote. By comparison, Democratic opponent Ed Garvey spent $1,003,616 for 681,734 votes, or $1.47 per vote.

KEY SPECIAL INTERESTS

The top special interests that continue to support Thompson are business-related. The construction industry was Thompson's strongest special interest supporter during the 1998 election cycle. Individual and political action committee contributions from the construction industry totaled at least $691,891, or 11 percent of the money his campaign raised from 1995 through 1998. Other top special interest contributors during the four-year period were manufacturing and distributing, $584,658; banking and finance, $498,753; business, $412,299; and lawyers, law firms and lobbyists, $410,679 (Table 1 and Chart 2).

The high ranking that these special interests have on the Thompson campaign money tree reflects the pattern of contributions throughout his career as governor. These industries tend to be traditional, strong supporters - and beneficiaries - of the policies of Republican, pro-business governors like Thompson.

The governor himself has been one of the biggest cheerleaders for the business community in Wisconsin. In addition, since he was first elected in 1986, his administration has been the grantor of millions of dollars in state aid to encourage economic development, retrain workers, attract new business and expand existing firms in Wisconsin. The governor frequently promotes and develops "partnerships" between state government and the business community to address a wide array of economic, environmental and health issues, among others. Thompson has often described himself as "a builder." He staunchly defends his penchant for hundreds of millions of dollars worth of spending and bonding on road and capital building projects as a benefit for the economy.

THE PLAYERS

The occupations of Thompson's top individual supporters tend to match the activities of the top special interests that support him. Twenty-eight individuals or families have contributed at least $10,000 to the campaign since the beginning of the last election cycle in 1995 (Table 2).

• The Cullen family of Janesville, major construction contractors with the state, led with a total of $22,500.

Those who contributed $20,000 were:

• George & and Pauline Dalton (Nashotah) of Fiserv, a computer service company;
• Lorraine and Ira Greenberg (Bannockburn, Illinois) of Promotions Unlimited, a pharmaceutical sales firm;
• Kenneth & Diane Hendricks (Janesville) of ABC Supply, a construction supply firm;
• Fred Mohs, a Madison attorney, and his wife, Mary, a Republican Party activist; and
• Richard and Donna Strong (Brookfield) of Strong Capital Management, a financial firm.

THE MONEY FLOW

"We need to create a better environment for voters to assess the candidates and make informed decisions," - Thompson, November 6, 1996.

The governor boasts that the bulk of his supporters - 66 percent - are small contributors who gave less than $100 to his campaign (Chart 3). However, contributions of less than $100 comprised only 12 percent of the $5.8 million in individual contributions that the governor raised from 1995 through 1998. The campaign continues to receive most of its money in large contributions of more than a $100 from captains of industry and business executives who live in the state.

Thompson's most successful fund-raising vehicle to draw big money continues to be the Governor's Club. This select group netted nearly $4.3 million, or 74 percent of the money from individual contributions to the governor's campaign from 1995 through 1998. A contributor becomes a member of the Governor's Club through a contribution of $500 or more. A member receives a state of Wisconsin lapel pin and access to the governor at special events and parties. (Chart 4).

The bulk of Thompson's individual contributions during the four-year cycle came from within Wisconsin. The governor received nearly 91 percent, or $4.6 million in individual contributions from Wisconsin contributors. Out-of-state contributors gave $494,254 to his campaign (Chart 5).

Political action committees, political party committees and the campaign committees of legislators provided about 6% - $452,734 - of Thompson's money (Table 3). The bulk of the committee contributions came from PACs. Again, an analysis of the special interests that these PACs represent show that top PAC contributors parallel the occupations or activities of the top categorical and individual interests shown on Tables 1 and 2. Most of the PACs are associated with builders, finance and other business interests. Leading the list and the total amount they contributed during the four-year cycle are:

• Wisconsin Builders/Building a Better Wisconsin, $37,950;
• Realtors PAC, $23,630;
• Milwaukee Police Association PAC, $15,800;
• Tavern Industry PAC, $15,310
  

Charts

Tables