Gov. Walker’s Cross Country Cash Grab Rolls On

MADISON, Wis. — In his campaign finance report filed today, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker reports an astounding 56 percent of his campaign’s cash grab comes from individuals and special interest groups from outside of Wisconsin — $4.5 million. Since 2009 Walker has raked in over $33 million, roughly 51 percent, of his campaign cash from individuals and special interest groups in states other than the ones he ostensibly represents.

In light of the latest finance numbers, One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross asked, “Has Gov. Walker been such a failure in Wisconsin because he’s been on a ceaseless cross-country cash grab instead of doing his job? Or is it because he’s been such a failure here that he’s set his fundraising sights out of state?”

An analysis by One Wisconsin Now of Walker’s July continuing campaign finance report, covering January 1 through June 30 of this year also found Walker relies heavily on high dollar donors to fill his coffers. Over $6.4 million of the $7.8 million Walker raised from individuals, or 82 percent, came from contributions of $100 or more. Fully 52 percent of his money raised from individuals ($4 million) came from donations in excess of $1,000 and 106 individuals gave Walker the maximum allowable contribution of $10,000 in the last six months.

Ross noted that it is fitting that a majority of the money for Gov. Walker’s irresponsible and 100 percent negative campaign – featuring attacks on the well-respected, Wisconsin-based international bike manufacturer Trek – comes from wealthy out-of-state donors.

“The people of Wisconsin have endured nearly four years of Gov. Walker’s cronyism, corruption and incompetence. Now his campaign – fueled with cash from out-of-state millionaires and billionaires – has launched a shameful ‘swift-biking’ campaign, attacking a respected state business to try to cover up career politician Scott Walker’s epic jobs failure,” said Ross. “With tactics like these, it’s no wonder Wisconsin is last in the Midwest in jobs under Gov. Walker.”