(The Center Square) – Republicans in Wisconsin are happy with their latest fundraising numbers, and they are also issuing a warning ahead of the November elections.
State GOP Chairman Brian Schimming took to social media on Thursday to highlight significant fundraising numbers from the six months of the year.
“We have record fundraising numbers, giving us one of the strongest competitive edges in years, new poll worker recruitment record with 5,300, expanding field staff reaching voters directly, assistance to local candidates,” Schimming wrote. “We’re unified, spending time building … not bickering.”
The state Republican Party noted that it has raised $7.4 million so far this year, compared to the $3.1 million raised by state Democrats.
But those are just the state party numbers.
Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany on Thursday announced that he raised $8.7 million during the first six months of the year. That dwarfs the hundreds of thousands of dollars that the five remaining Democratic candidates raised in their races for governor.
Tiffany, however, wasn’t the only Republican candidate to report a large or record fundraising haul. Attorney General candidate Eric Toney reported that he raised $720,000 during the first six months of the year, and over $1 million since joining the race. Nate Pollnow, Republican candidate for secretary of state, reported a record $103,894 haul in his race. And Republicans in the State Assembly said they’ve raised more than $7 million so far this year.
“Republicans in the Assembly are in a financially strong position to defend our majority,” Republican Majority Leader Tyler August said in a statement. “Heading into the final stretch of the campaign we have our largest cash-on-hand amount ever and a more than 5 to 1 cash advantage over our counterparts.”
But Republicans in Wisconsin are also issuing a warning.
“Tom has the right message, best ground game, and big financial edge,” former Gov. Scott Walker wrote on social media.
Politicos in Wisconsin expect the governor’s race alone to be an $80 million race. There will also be millions spent in the race for attorney general, the Legislature, and in western Wisconsin’s closely-watched congressional race.
