Press Releases

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign's press releases and special reports cover issues central to our mission, including campaign fundraising, political corruption and more.

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Legislative Republicans Raise Nearly 3x More Than Dems

Chart: Legislative Fundraising During the First Half of Odd-Numbered Years

August 12, 2021

Republicans who control the Assembly and Senate raised nearly three times more than Democratic lawmakers during the first six months of 2021.

GOP Accepts 4x More in Corporate Contributions Than Dems

Dem Donkey and Rep Elephant and Piles of Cash

August 5, 2021

Two Republican legislative campaign committees and the state GOP accepted nearly four times more in corporate contributions than their Democratic counterparts during the first half of 2021.

Influence Peddler for August 2021 – Republican Governors Association

Republican Governors Assocation Logo

August 4, 2021

(This profile updates information and figures in a previous April 2018  feature on RGA.)

Legislative Campaign Committees Bank Record Cash

Piggy Bank and $100 Bills

August 2, 2021

Four fundraising committees used by legislative leaders to attract special interest campaign and corporate contributions banked a record $2.9 million during the first half of 2021.

State Dems Continue Fundraising Dominance Over GOP

Democrat and Republican Cheese Wedge

July 26, 2021

The state Democratic Party raised more than $4.4 million in the first half of 2021 – five times more than the state GOP, according to state campaign finance reports.

Evers Pulls Down Three Dozen $20K Contributions, Another Mil From State Dems

$100 Bill

July 21, 2021

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers accepted $20,000 contributions from about three-dozen individuals and about $1 million from the state Democratic Party en route to raising $5 million in the first half of 2021.

Spring School Superintendent Race Cost Record $3 Million

Chalkboard with $3 million dollars written on it

July 19, 2021

Candidates and outside special interest groups spent a record $3 million in the state school superintendent’s race last spring, a Wisconsin Democracy Campaign review found.

Special Interests Pushing Hard for $200M Business Tax Cut

Calculator, Pen, Paperclips

June 25, 2021

Dozens of special interests are backing a Republican bill that would provide businesses with a $200 million tax cut.

GOP Assembly Changes Police Use-of-Force Bill At Contributor’s Behest

Police Brutality

June 24, 2021

The GOP-led state Assembly approved a scaled-backed version of a police use-of-force bill at the behest of the Milwaukee police union, a major contributor to Republican lawmakers.

Wisconsin Faith Leaders Decry Anti-Voter Bills

Wisconsin Faith Leaders Press Conference

June 11, 2021

On June 9, faith leaders in Wisconsin gathered at the SS Morris Community AME Church in Madison to decry the anti-voter bills that are circulating in the Wisconsin Legislature.

No Delay in Local Redistricting!

Fair Maps Rally at Capitol

June 7, 2021

(Testimony by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Matthew Rothschild to the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Legal Review and Consumer Protection in opposition to Senate Bill 385 -- companion bill to Assembly Bill 369 -- on June 7, 2021.)

Don't Extend the Gerrymander

Fairy Maps Rally

June 2, 2021

(Testimony by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Matthew Rothschild to the Assembly Committee on State Affairs in opposition to AB 369 on June 2, 2021.)

New Report Highlights Barriers to Voting in Wisconsin

Road Closed to Voting

June 1, 2021

A new report provides some startling details on the barriers that many people face just to cast a ballot in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Contributors Gave $4.4M+ to Outside Smear Groups in 2020

Badger with Cash

May 25, 2021

Wisconsin contributors gave more than $4.4 million in 2020 to outside electioneering groups that often smear candidates in state and federal elections. About $2 of every $3 went to Democratic-leaning groups.

Walker’s Presidential Support Group Files Final Report

Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

May 11, 2021

A group created to support former GOP Gov. Scott Walker’s short-lived 2016 presidential bid filed its final fundraising and spending report on Monday.

Out-of-state GOP Donors Deluged Wisconsin Legislators

Wisconsin Welcomes You Sign

May 6, 2021

Wisconsin legislators accepted nearly $1.9 million, or $1 of every $4, in large individual contributions from outside Wisconsin in 2020, and nearly half of it came from one Illinois couple.

Say No to These Anti-Voter Bills in Wisconsin

No Written in White on Multiple Cards

May 5, 2021

(Testimony by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Matthew Rothschild to the Senate Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform, and Ethics in opposition to SB 203, SB 206, SB 209, and SB 212 on May 5, 2021.)

Legislators Accepted $2 of Every $3 from Outsiders in 2020

Non-Voter $ vs Voter $

May 3 , 2021

Current Wisconsin legislators accepted about $2 of every $3 in large individual campaign contributions last year from people who could not vote for them.

Judge Voids GOP Contracts on Redistricting

Illusration of Scissors Cutting Up Contract

April 29, 2021

A Dane County judge on Thursday voided the pricey contracts that Speaker Robin Vos and Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu had signed with two law firms to help them in any legal battles over the upcoming redistricting.

LeMahieu Reappoints “Fraudulent Elector” to Wisconsin Elections Commission

Fraudulent Elector

April 29, 2021

Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu reappointed Robert Spindell to another five-year term on the Wisconsin Elections Commission today, even though Spindell acted as a “fraudulent elector” last December, according to a complaint currently pending before the Commission and a letter to the Milwaukee County district attorney.

Evers’s Budget Moves Wisconsin Forward

Budget for the Future

April 28, 2021

(Testimony by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Matthew Rothschild to the Joint Finance Committee on April 28, 2021.)