James Tesauro Sheboygan County GOP Vice Chair | Sheboygan County GOP
James Tesauro Sheboygan County GOP Vice Chair | Sheboygan County GOP
Some Wisconsin Republicans are protesting the influence of dark money in the Aug. 13 primary election.
A group of conservative Republican candidates claim their political futures and reputations were harmed by a last-minute infusion of independent expenditures, known as dark money, into their primary contests. An independent expenditure is money spent by an entity to advocate for or against a candidate without disclosing donor identities. Collaboration with campaigns is illegal.
Defenders argue that such expenditures educate voters through TV, radio, online, and direct mail advertising. Critics contend that these practices lack transparency and create distrust in elections.
According to complaining candidates and some county GOP officials, the biggest actor is the Stronger Wisconsin Fund (SWF), which aims to elect conservative candidates according to its website. SWF registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission on July 12, just 30 days before the primary. Its address is a box number at a pack-and-ship store in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
The SWF raised $450,000 from one donor—Americans for Security Inc., a nonprofit operating from a private mailbox at a Staples store in Plover, Wisconsin. Americans for Security's stated purpose is to establish economic and national security for the U.S., according to its website.
SWF’s campaign statement showed it spent $445,560 on electioneering in Wisconsin thus far in 2024: $338,000 opposing 10 GOP primary candidates and $107,000 promoting 15 others. The Republican Party of Wisconsin (RPW) supported nine of those favored by SWF through mailers.
Critics allege RPW bylaws may prohibit picking favorites in state Assembly primaries. The RPW did not respond to requests for comment.
Wisconsinites for Liberty Fund (WFLF), another independent entity funded entirely by Americans for Security Inc., spent $240,000 supporting state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester).
Lori Voss (no relation to Robin Vos), who ran for Assembly District 69, was targeted by negative ads funded by SWF: “I am a strong pro-life conservative...and I have been beaten up so badly by my fellow Republicans,” she said. Voss lost her bid to Karen Hurd.
Lindee Brill also faced negative ads: “They lied about me...That’s not true,” she said after winning her primary against Bill Hilbelink despite being outspent three-to-one.
James Tesauro criticized dark money’s opacity: “Every donation the little guy makes is closely policed…but the big and powerful operate in shadows.”
GOP activist Adrianne Melby blamed Robin Vos for legislation allowing dark money: "The outcome of Wisconsin elections is often decided by nameless power players."
Campaign finance records reveal limited insights into individuals connected with these entities but mention prominent election law attorney Matthew Fernholz and former Assembly speaker John Gard among others.
Steven Kovac
Reporter
Steven Kovac reports for The Epoch Times from Michigan covering various topics including consumer prices and election security issues.
Contact: steven.kovac@epochtimes.us
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