Gov. Walker’s Cross Country Cash Grab Takes Off As Wisconsin Economy Crashes and Burns

MADISON, Wis. — Under Gov. Walker, Wisconsin’s economy has tanked, ranking dead last in the nation for job creation and suffering the ignominy of being the only state in the nation with statistically significant job losses over the last year. Meanwhile, Gov. Walker’s cross country cash grab has been a stunning success, netting two-thirds of the $13 million raised from out-of-state contributors, according to One Wisconsin Now’s analysis of his latest campaign finance report filed today.

One Wisconsin Now spokesperson Mike Browne commented, “While we deal with the disastrous results of Gov. Walker’s one-percent, trickle-down economic policies in Wisconsin, he’s crisscrossing the country on an unprecedented cash grab — selling out the interests of the middle class and working families, kids and seniors for contributions from distant millionaires and billionaires.”

One Wisconsin Now’s initial analysis of Gov. Walker’s most recent campaign finance report reveals:

• $8.37 million, or roughly 66%, of the total $12.74 million reported raised by Gov. Walker came from out-of-state;
• 75% of individual contributors were from out-of-state;
• Top out-of-state contributors include noted private school voucher booster Dick DeVos and failed presidential candidate Newt Gingrich’s SuperPac sugar daddy, Sheldon Adelson, each contributing $250,000;
• Florida led the way in out-of-state contributions with $1,059,644.30 followed by California ($890,874.63), Illinois ($812,699.93), Texas ($600,047.36) and New York ($592,278.12).

Browne concluded, “Maybe Gov. Walker should have promised to find 250,000 out-of-state campaign contributors instead of creating 250,000 jobs here in Wisconsin. He might be closer to making good on that promise.”