*posted 10.27.25

No matter our race, zip code, or background, Wisconsinites believe the government should serve the people not those with the deepest pockets. In fact, 88% of Wisconsin voters are concerned about money's influence over government. What else (besides our love for the Packers!) has that sort of agreement?

While Wisconsin families stretch to pay bills and put dinner on the table, greedy corporations and out-of-state billionaires pour dark money into our elections like it's a board game. We can create a better Wisconsin where THE PEOPLE call the shots. We can rewrite the rules, starting with disclosure laws so voters know WHO is spending WHAT in our elections. Sign our pledge!

October 8, 2025

Thank you, Chairperson Maxey, Vice-Chair Krug and other distinguished members of this Committee, for this opportunity to speak before the committee.

My name is Beverly Speer, the operations and policy director for the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. I’ll be speaking for information only, not for or against this proposal.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, as a nonpartisan political watchdog organization, has been tracking and exposing money in Wisconsin politics and advocating for a full range of pro-democracy reforms for 30 years.

Assembly Bill 385 has been sold as a proposal that has bipartisan support at the federal level and in other states. Requiring online contributions to committees to include credit card CVV numbers and a U.S. address included with any contribution seems like common sense based on existing law. WDC supports increased transparency and accountability, but this bill will have a limited positive effect if not potentially create more problems than it resolves.

We are concerned that this is not a good-faith effort to regulate campaign money.

Posted: October 7, 2025
Updated: October 29, 2025

The Wisconsin Legislature may be preparing to adjourn before the holiday season, but policymakers have been busy, introducing pro-democracy bills and circulating proposals.

Among them are several measures that directly address money in politics and the influence of special interests. These proposals — five in particular — aim to strengthen voter participation, increase transparency, and restore balance in our democracy.

October 1, 2025

In just the first six months of 2025, 868 unions, corporations, nonprofits, and trade and ideological groups spent more than $24.8 million lobbying the Wisconsin state government.

From January to June, these organizations spent nearly 100,000 hours communicating with government officials or performing other lobbying related activities, according to figures released by the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. To put that in perspective, that’s the equivalent of over 4,000 full days — or just under 11 years of time — spent trying to influence state policy.

Posted: September 18, 2025

Join WDC and partners for Our Wisconsin, Our Constitution statewide tour, a free, nonpartisan community event focused on how constitutional amendments are reshaping Wisconsin’s democracy.

Posted: September 10, 2025

How much does it take to win a nonpartisan Wisconsin Supreme Court seat? The new price tag has shattered records: over $100 million.

Between the candidates, PACs, individuals, and independent expenditure committees, the 2025 state Supreme Court race cost over $100.8 million.

Posted: September 4, 2025

Join WDC for a Dark Money Campaign kickoff event with civic-themed trivia! We will have a prize for the winning team. A portion of Delta's food and drink sales this evening will go toward supporting WDC and our mission to advocate for transparency and accountability in government. 

Posted: August 13, 2025

The heat is on this summer as 2026 candidates for Wisconsin’s highest court and governor’s office pull in record-setting money towards their campaigns for elections in 2026. 

State Supreme Court 

Wisconsin will hold a Supreme Court election every spring through 2030, with the next contest in April 2026. Eight months out from election day, candidates are already fundraising serious cash for their war chests. Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor of Madison, the liberal candidate in the race, set a new fundraising record in her first fundraising report. Justice Rebecca Bradley, the conservative incumbent who recently stated she would run for a second term on the court, has raised $0. 

August 11, 2025

MADISON, WI – Under President Trump’s urging, Texas Republicans are trying to further gerrymander and lock down Congress before 2026. It's the latest in a broader scheme to erode our democracy and consolidate power. Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition Organizing Director, iuscely Flores, released the following statement:

“The Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition stands in solidarity with voters and advocates in Texas who are facing yet another wave of extreme, partisan gerrymandering designed to entrench power and deny communities fair representation. Let me make this clear, as a native Spanish speaker, gerrymandering translates to three words: manipulating election results. We will not allow voters to be undermined.

posted July 2, 2025

While the dust has begun to settle since the April 2025 Election, newly released financial reports continue to reveal the enormous impact of money in politics in Wisconsin. 

From February 4 to March 17, 71 contributors–each spending $10,000 or more–gave a whopping nearly $1.28 million to Supreme Court and Superintendent candidates. That’s 71 individuals exerting tremendous influence over statewide elections. The top contributors, many of whom gave  the maximum amount of $20,000 during this brief two-week timeframe, are listed below:

Posted: 5.29.25
Updated: 6.2.25

Open letter to the members of the Joint Finance Committee, co-chairs Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam)

The joint organizations represent folks from northern Wisconsin to Milwaukee from rural, suburban and urban areas. We work on a variety of issues, including voting rights, conservation, labor, and more. We engage Wisconsinites of all ages, races, and backgrounds.

As voters, we expect accountability. Ahead of the budget, nearly 1,000 Wisconsinites showed up and spoke out in overwhelming support of funding for education, healthcare, childcare, and more. Instead of listening to those who vote them into office and pay their salaries, the leaders of the JFC cut 612 provisions from the proposed budget.

April 25, 2025

MADISON, WI – As organizations committed to protecting democracy, civil rights, and equal justice in Wisconsin, we are deeply troubled by the news of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s arrest by federal agents at the courthouse.

Posted: April 11, 2025
Updated: April 14, 2025

MADISON – Wisconsin Democracy Campaign released a statewide poll finding that an overwhelming majority of Wisconsin voters are concerned about the influence of money in politics and express support for reforms aimed at curbing the spending free-for-all by billionaires and corporations in our elections.

Posted: April 1, 2025
Updated: April 4, 2025

MADISON – In response to the record-breaking money in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Nick Ramos released the following statement:

“Today should be a breaking point for our state. Even if your preferred candidate wins – no matter if you’re liberal, conservative, or independent – every single Wisconsinite should be alarmed at this grotesque billionaire arms race.

March 27, 2025

With less than a week to go before Wisconsinites cast their ballots in the April 1 General Election, momentum and money are surging across the state. Voters will decide two high-stakes contests: a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

March 12, 2025

With under three weeks until the April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court and School Superintendent election, candidates and special interest groups have spent almost $37 million as of Wednesday morning.

March 6, 2025

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign today reaffirmed its commitment to election integrity and transparency following reports that 193 absentee ballots in the City of Madison were left uncounted in the 2024 presidential election. This situation underscores the need for continued improvements in election administration to ensure that every valid vote is counted and every voter’s voice is heard.

March 5, 2025

With the latest numbers, independent expenditures for the November 2024 Wisconsin legislative elections surpassed predictions, totaling more than $16.6 million.

Posted: February 28, 2025
Updated: March 14, 2025

The Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates have collected millions in donations from wealthy individuals, PACS, and Wisconsin state parties as of February.

Posted: February 25, 2025
Updated: February 26, 2025

According to their most recent campaign finance reports, the two Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates have already spent a combined $6.84 million, far exceeding the $1.76 million spent approaching a 4-way primary in the record-breaking 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Liberal candidate Susan Crawford has raised nearly $7.4 million and spent over $4.2 million while conservative candidate Brad Schimel has pulled in more than $4.9 million and spent about half with $2.5 million. Read more on the candidates' financial activity here.

Looking back on 2024 and its major political milestones, the fall presidential election is likely the first thing that comes to mind—especially in Wisconsin, where every election cycle carries national significance. As a key swing state, Wisconsin played a critical role in determining the next president. But beyond the presidential race, voters also elected a U.S. Senator, local and state officials, and weighed in on one constitutional amendment question.

*remarks from Nick Ramos at Feb. 4 press conference

Good morning, and thank you all for being here today.

My name is Nick Ramos and I am the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign which has been tracking and exposing the money in Wisconsin politics for 30 years.   

Today, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is taking action to hold accountable those who seek to undermine public trust in our courts. We are filing a formal ethics complaint with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission against Judge Brad Schimel for conduct that we believe blatantly violates Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Rules and the Code of Judicial Conduct.

At a time when faith in our democracy and our institutions is at stake, Wisconsinites deserve judges who uphold the highest ethical standards—not those who openly mock them.

January 21, 2025

It’s been 15 years since the ruling in Citizens United v FEC, and U.S. elections and Wisconsin politics have transformed into a profoundly more oligarchical system. Ruled by the few ultra-wealthy and for the few ultra-wealthy, this ruling opened the floodgates for those who have the means to pay to dictate election outcomes and influence politicians.

Posted: November 1, 2024
Updated: January 8, 2025

Both major political parties in Wisconsin have made substantial use of their campaign funds, highlighting the significant role of fundraising in this cycle.

January 8, 2025

Testimony of Nick Ramos, Executive Director, Before the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections in Opposition to AJR1/SJR2 Requiring Photo ID to Vote in Any Election