Hijacking Campaign 2018 | Independent Expenditures | Issue Ads | Candidates | Offices | Campaign 2018
Posted: October 4, 2018
Updated: June 28, 2021
This is a an independent expenditure committee created in 2016 by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the state's largest business group and one of the most powerful special interest influences on state spending, policy, and elections.
At the beginning of October the group reported spending nearly $86,000 on television and online advertising as well as mailings to oppose Chris Kapsner, the Democratic candidate in the open 23rd Senate District race. His opponent was Rep. Kathy Bernier, the Republican incumbent in the 68th Assembly District. Shortly afterwards, the group reported spending on radio ads in opposition to Wendy Sue Johnson, the Democratic candidate for Bernier's Assembly seat where she faced newcomer Republican Jesse James.
Toward the end of October it reported spending on television advertising to oppose Democratic incumbent Caleb Frostman in the 1st Senate District. Frostman was first elected to office in a special election held in June 2018 when he defeated Rep. Andre Jacque, his opponent again in November.
All three Democrats opposed by WMC lost.
By the time it first reported independent spending in the fall election, WMC had already waded into the electoral fray with issue ads.
Last active election: 2016
This organization is registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission as an independent expenditure committee following the January 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC.