Skewing Red: A Look at Independent Spending One Week from Election Day

With one week remaining until Election Day, conservative-aligned groups are dominating independent expenditures in Wisconsin’s 2026 fall elections, accounting for nearly 80% of the approximately $90 million spent by outside groups. This past spring, WDC wrote about the massive skew in outside spending in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, with liberal groups outspending by remarkable margins.

This fall, those roles have reversed.

Of the nearly $90 million spent on independent expenditures so far, conservative-aligned groups account for $71.3 million, compared with $18.4 million spent by liberal-aligned groups.

While conservative groups dominate reported independent expenditures (IEs), liberal-aligned groups are dominating what WDC labels as phony issue ads. These are ads that don’t explicitly endorse or oppose a candidate, so these groups are not beholden to the same reporting standards as IEs.

Below is a snapshot of independent expenditures in the 2026 Fall Election. A breakdown of spending by races can be found here. WDC will release a more comprehensive report post-Election Day, including issue ad breakdowns, once the final numbers are available.

Independent Expenditures in the 2026 Fall Elections

Number of IE Groups: 73
Total spent: $89.8 million
- Liberal or pro-Crowley groups: $18.4 million
- Conservative or pro-Tiffany groups: $71.3 million
- Other/Independent: $80,164

Of the $89.8 million spent in IEs, liberal-aligned groups contributed 20.5% of that total, while conservative-aligned groups account for approximately 79.4%

Issue Ad Groups in the 2026 Fall Elections

Liberal-leaning organizations have been active in issue advertising.

WDC identifies the following liberal-aligned organizations as engaging in issue advertising during the 2026 fall election cycle:

How 2026 Compares to 2022

During the 2022 midterms, the total amount of independent expenditures and phony issue ad spending was just under $86 million. Unsurprisingly, 2026 will surpass that, even after adjusting for inflation.

2026 Fall Election Top 20 IE Groups (as of 10.27.26)

Organization	Amount Spent	Stance
Restoration of America PAC	$20.5 million	Conservative
Right Direction of Wisconsin PAC	$17.9 million	Conservative
First Amendment LLC	$13 million	Conservative
Americans for Prosperity	$11.2 million	Conservative
Wisconsin Conservation Voters Independent Expenditure Committee	$3.1 million	Liberal
Jobs First Coalition Political Fund	$3 million	Conservative
Half Court Political Fund	$1.8 million	Liberal
Power to the Polls Action Fund	$1.5 million	Liberal
Believe in Wisconsin	$1.3 million	Liberal
American Principles Project PAC	$1.3 million	Conservative
Middle Class Priorities	$1.3 million	Liberal (questionable)
A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund	$1.2 million	Liberal
Republican State Leadership Committee Inc.	$1.1 million	Conservative
American Energy Action	$1.1 million	Both ($940,000 liberal)
Impossible Until It's Done	$973,600	Liberal
Working America	$876,500	Liberal
Our America	$542,00	Conservative
AFSCME PEOPLE	$400,000	Liberal
Women Speak Out	$345,000	Conservative
Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Inc.	$333,100	Liberal

What This Means for Wisconsin Voters

On November 3, Wisconsinites will vote for a new Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, State Assembly, many State Senate races, some local races, school referendums, and three constitutional amendments. Many Wisconsinites have already cast their vote through absentee and early voting.

The enormous amount of money flowing into these elections raises serious questions about outside organizations' and wealthy donors' influence on Wisconsin’s political process.

Although spending between conservative and liberal groups may shift from one election to another, the broader concern remains the same: Wisconsin voters deserve to know who is spending money to influence their elections.