Campaign finance reports show significant disparities in contributions and spending for local state and federal candidates in the Nov. 8 election.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wausau) raised roughly $1.7 million during the current campaign and has spent $1.2 million, according to the latest campaign finance data available. His Democratic challenger, Mary Hoeft, raised just $17,025 and spent $3,895 so far.
In the race for U.S. Senator, Republican incumbent Ron Johnson raised more than $14.7 million and has so far spent $9.2 million, finance records show. His Democratic opponent, Russ Feingold, collected $15.7 million and spent $8.5 million. The Federal Election Commission data was last updated for all four national candidates in late July.
Data for state races is more up to date, showing contributions and spending through Aug. 31. In the race for 85th Assembly, Mandy Wright, who served one term in the seat before losing by a thin margin in 2014 to David Heaton (R-Wausau), raised more than $108,000 for her campaign. That’s nearly three times the $36,428 raised by Wright’s opponent, former conservative talk show host Pat Snyder, according to the Wisconsin Campaign Finance Information System.
File/City Pages
Mandy Wright
Mandy Wright, candidate for the 85th Assembly, raised more than 108,000 for her 2016 campaign.
Wright has so far spent $38,863 compared to Snyder’s $8,506. The two are familiar foes: Snyder lost to Wright in 2012 for the seat, which encompasses Wausau, Rothschild and Schofield.
Keep in mind that these numbers do not include election spending by third-party groups, which can significantly add to the perceived presence of a candidate’s campaign.
In the 86th Assembly District, which represents Weston, Marshfield and much of western Marathon County, incumbent John Spiros (R-Marshfield) raised $19,165 and spent $14,144. Spiros’ challenger, Nancy Stencil of Wausau, raised $13,103 and spent $12,049 so far in this election cycle.
The next round of campaign finance data for both federal and state elections will be updated at the end of October.
