Candidate for Governor Mike McCabe wants full disclosure of donations, update of conflict of interest laws, to take redistricting out of the hands of elected officials, restore independent oversight, bring back civil service protections for government hiring, and end discriminatory voter suppression.

ALTOONA, WI - On Thursday, Wisconsin governor candidate Mike McCabe put forward a comprehensive plan for freeing state government from the clutches of cronyism, corruption and what amounts to legal bribery of state officials.

“Wisconsin was once known from coast to coast as a beacon of clean, open and honest government. Our state no longer deserves that reputation. I want a Wisconsin that is worthy of it again,” McCabe said.

Once elected, McCabe will seek approval of a package of reforms to:

* Create full disclosure of political donations and election spending, and set tighter limits on campaign contributions that are a quarter of what current state law allows.

* Update Wisconsin’s conflict of interest law to prevent state public officials from taking actions benefiting donors who have contributed more than $1,000 to their campaign committees or spent more than $5,000 on election advertising favoring the officials.

* Take redistricting out of the hands of elected officials who stand to benefit from the legislative district boundaries they draw and assign the task to an independent, nonpartisan legislative service agency in a process modeled after Iowa’s system.

MADISON - In case you missed it, a recent report from The Daily Beast spotlights the millions in out-of-state spending that Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein has poured into Wisconsin -- which has "drawn by far the most outside spending of any 2018 midterm election contest" -- to try to buy Kevin Nicholson a U.S. Senate seat. Already, Uihlein has "given more than $16 million" to 8 groups supporting Nicholson.

The Daily Beast: Meet the Illinoisan Trying to Buy a Wisconsin Senate Seat

By Lachlan Markay, 1/16/18

Richard Uihlein’s super PAC and dark money donations have made the Wisconsin Senate race the nation’s most expensive—by far.

When Wisconsin airwaves begin drowning in political ads this year, voters in the Badger State will have an Illinoisan to thank.

The U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin has drawn by far the most outside spending of any 2018 midterm election contest. And the vast majority of it has come from a single donor: Lake Forest, Illinois, businessman Richard Uihlein. The founder and CEO of shipping product giant Uline has vaulted himself to the upper echelon of Republican megadonors. And the Wisconsin senate race is his number one target.

Uihlein has poured millions directly into the contest by way of a pair of super PACs that he funds almost single handedly. But those donations only scratch the surface of the money he’s injected into the race. Uihlein has also provided major cash infusions of late to more established conservative groups that have endorsed his preferred Wisconsin senate candidate, Delafield businessman and Marine Corps veteran Kevin Nicholson. Meanwhile, Uihlein’s family foundation has written large checks to nonprofit groups that, though officially nonpartisan, have quietly boosted Nicholson’s candidacy with ostensibly apolitical activities targeting a Republican primary rival and Nicholson’s would-be general election opponent.

[...]

The bulk of Uihlein’s financial heft has gone to two super PACs backing Nicholson’s primary bid against State Senator Leah Vukmir, and taking potshots at incumbent Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Democrats are expected to hold the seat, but Uihlein has nonetheless plowed $3.5 million into the group Solutions for Wisconsin—he is the group’s only publicly disclosed contributor—which has run ads backing Nicholson’s candidacy. Solutions has passed along $750,000 to another super PAC, Restoration PAC, which has spent the bulk of its funds attacking Baldwin, though the group has also gone after vulnerable West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin.

Other Uihlein-backed groups have also jumped in on Nicholson’s behalf.

The John Bolton Super PAC—the former UN Ambassador’s political group, to which Uihlein has donated $450,000—announced a $1 million ad buy for Nicholson last month. Great America PAC, a pro-Trump political group to which Uihlein has donated $100,000, endorsed Nicholson in October. Uihlien has given more than $400,000 to the Madison Project, which backs insurgent conservative Senate candidates. That group officially endorsed Nicholson in August.

Also in August, Nicholson picked up a key endorsement from the conservative Club for Growth, to which Uihlein has donated more than $5.7 million since 2015. The Club has drawn fire from other conservative movement leaders, such as Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform, for its broadsides against Vukmir.

Like many GOP Senate primaries around the country, the contest between Vukmir and Nicholson has involved a degree of jostling over who can claim the mantle of Trump Republican. And as a result, like similar races, it went through some tumult in the wake of the high-profile split between the president and his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, until recently a de facto leader of the Trumpian brand of nationalist politics that many Republican candidates hope to capture.

Bannon’s political operation got behind Nicholson’s candidacy early, and when the recently ousted Breitbart News chairman’s allegations of “treason” against members of the president’s political team became public, Nicholson declined to distance Bannon from his campaign.

Vukmir’s campaign quickly the “vicious attacks by Steve Bannon against the President and his family” and called on Nicholson to “disavow his endorsement.” Nicholson declined to do so. “Leah spent a great deal of time and energy seeking Steve Bannon’s endorsement and was unsuccessful. It’s easy to see why she is frustrated,” his campaign said.

Bannon’s involvement in the race may have been deeper than just a sought-after endorsement. According to a source close to Bannon, he had been in talks with Uihlein about coordinating the latter’s political spending. With GOP megadonors Robert and Rebekah Mercer publicly separating from Bannon, Uihlein could provide an alternate means of financing for Bannon’s political projects. But it’s not clear if any relationship came to fruition, or if the controversy that resulted in Bannon’s resignation from Breitbart last week ended discussions between the two.

Bannon is expected to announce a new “dark money” nonprofit group in the coming weeks, and the organization’s sources of financing are not yet known. Uihlein, for his part, funds a host of such conservative nonprofit groups that, while officially barred from taking sides in political contests, have boosted Nicholson’s candidacy behind the scenes.

In April, a conservative group called American Majority, which has received $250,000 from Uihlein’s family foundation since 2015, helped prevent another potential Republican candidate in the Wisconsin primary. The group circulated an opposition research memo highlighting a series of tweets sent by Nicole Schneider, a trucking heiress who was then considering a senate bid. The tweets included messages critical of prominent Republicans, including Trump, and praising Democrats such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Schneider opted against a senate run.

Uihlein’s foundation has given another $250,000 since 2015 to the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, the 501(c)(3) “educational” arm of libertarian billionaires Charles and David Koch’s political activist organization. In October, AFP’s Wisconsin arm announced a “seven figure” ad campaign targeting Baldwin.

[...]

Outside spenders in the Wisconsin senate race have already dropped ten times the sum of the next most expensive midterm contest. But even that total—more than $6.5 million, according to CRP—doesn’t tell the full story. Activities by dark money groups such as AFP and American Majority swell expenditures in the race, though those activities can be hard to trace.

Read more from The Daily Beast.

Money comes in the wake of multiple high-profile endorsements of Mitchell’s candidacy for Governor.

MADISON, WI - Mahlon Mitchell’s campaign for governor announced Tuesday that it has raised nearly $310,000 in just 7 weeks. Additionally, his campaign reported having $242,000 in cash on hand.

The news comes in the wake of multiple high-profile endorsements of Mitchell’s candidacy- from Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998, International Association of Firefighters, Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin, and Operating Engineers Local 139, who had previously supported Scott Walker’s candidacy.

“I’m honored by the support we have been able to generate in such a short time,” Mitchell said. “I plan to have the resources to take on and defeat Scott Walker in November. As I meet with voters all across this great state, one thing is clear: they are ready for change. Scott Walker has had eight long years to lead- and he has failed to do so. I’m running for governor because it’s time for new leadership- leadership that turns the page on Walker’s divisiveness and brings Wisconsinites together to build a better future for our state.”

*****

About Mahlon Mitchell:

Mahlon Mitchell was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Delavan, Wisconsin. He now lives with his wife, April and two children, Sie’anna and Karson, in Fitchburg.

Mahlon followed in his older brother’s footsteps when he became a fire fighter in Madison twenty years ago. His two brothers are fire fighters in Atlanta and St. Paul. These careers came out of a family that instilled values of service and working for others.

This sense of service is also exemplified in Mahlon’s other activities. He was a counselor at the Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety’s Burn Camp, which he also directed for five years. This summer camp worked with burn-injured youth to help them cope with their unique situation and build a network of support.

Mahlon also worked as a street outreach coordinator with Briarpatch and Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin, where he linked at-risk youth with services from their community.

Recently, Mahlon was instrumental to passing two pieces of legislation that were a huge victory for fire fighters across the state. The Infectious Disease Presumption fought to make sure fire fighters are covered if they contract a disease or disability on the job. Additionally, the legislature passed a bill that ensures families and spouses of fire fighters who die in the line of duty will have their health insurance premiums covered.

When the fight over collective bargaining began in 2011, Mahlon led the fire fighters in a monumental stand of solidarity with other public servants. Despite being exempted from the bill, Mahlon and his fellow fire fighters marched on the Capitol with fellow working families that were threatened by the Budget Repair Bill.

Mahlon took the opportunity to travel the state as a fire fighter spreading the words about Scott Walker’s divisive policies.

In addition to his service in the community, Mahlon was a real estate agent for six years at First Weber in Madison. He currently serves as President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, being the youngest and first African American to serve in the post.

MADISON, WI - Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton has endorsed Tim Burns for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Elected in 2002, Lawton was the first woman to serve as Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor.

The following is a statement from Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton:

“Tim Burns brings his intellectual muscle and deep experience as an attorney, his clearly articulated progressive values, and his deep respect for the law to this campaign to bring change to our tragically broken Wisconsin Supreme Court. He has a vision for justice and a powerful drive to serve; what luck for Wisconsin!”

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Tim Burns is a partner at a law firm in Madison. Burns is running for the seat now held by Justice Michael Gableman, who has announced his retirement from the court. The primary will be held on February 20th, 2018 and will narrow the field to 2 candidates who will advance to the April 3rd general election.

Tim is a former co-chair of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association. A graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia Law School, Tim is licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri. Tim's national practice focuses on making insurance companies live up to their obligations to their policyholders. Tim also serves on the national board of the American Constitution Society and he chaired the Fair and Impartial Courts Committee of the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section of the American Bar Association.

Tim and his wife Pam, have chosen Middleton to raise their family. Married for over 20 years, they have three children.

Candidate for Governor Mike McCabe is not accepting any single donation over $200 from supporters. Policy mirrors the values McCabe promoted for decades as an independent watchdog and reform advocate.

ALTOONA, WI - Mike McCabe’s Principle Over Party campaign for governor launched on September 12 and reported Tuesday bringing in over $104,000 by the end of 2017 even though McCabe is not accepting any single donation over $200 from supporters while state law allows candidates for governor in Wisconsin to take as much as $20,000 from individuals and $86,000 from political action committees.

“We have a plan to win and we will have the resources we need to carry out that plan,” McCabe said.

The Commoners for Mike McCabe committee’s year-end report to state election authorities lists 1102 contributions from 719 individuals. Supporters are allowed to give more than once but not more than $200 at a time and no more than a total of $1,000 for the entire campaign.

“We’re grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from all across the state, but a campaign finance report does not reflect or measure the greatest strength of our campaign – the extensive grassroots volunteer activity, neighbor-to-neighbor contact and direct voter outreach by the campaign,” McCabe said.

By the year’s end, the Principle Over Party campaign had already logged more than 37,000 miles just since McCabe made his candidacy official on September 12, traversing Wisconsin many times reaching out to voters in every part of the state. More than 130 stops were made along the way, including over 80 events that were open to the public and media. The campaign also held close to 60 neighborhood organizing meetings and volunteer trainings in communities across the state, and have dozens more lined up in coming weeks.

“These days candidates for office are told they have no choice but to spend four or five hours a day every single day raising money. We’re spending 10, 12, 14 hours a day raising a citizen army,” McCabe said. “Our campaign is a 21st Century version of how Bill Proxmire won statewide elections in Wisconsin for 30 years. Barnstorming the state. Pounding the pavement. Neighbors talking to neighbors.”

The way the Principle Over Party campaign is funded mirrors the values McCabe promoted for decades as an independent watchdog and reform advocate. In the mid-1990s, he helped start the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan group that focuses on exposing the influence of big money in state government and works to make people matter more than money in politics. He led the group for 15 years as its director. He left the Democracy Campaign at the end of 2014 to start Blue Jean Nation, a grassroots citizens group working to organize people locally to challenge the political establishment to change its ways.

“The governor won’t be beaten with money. He’ll have way more than anyone,” McCabe said, noting that Democrats spent $33 million in 2014, $22 million in 2012 and $12 million in 2010 in hopes of defeating Scott Walker only to see Republican forces vastly outspend them and Walker win by virtually identical margins in the three elections. “What he’s never faced is a genuinely people-powered grassroots crusade that creates a vivid contrast between the governor’s campaign bankrolled by billionaire tycoons and one that is truly of, by and for the people. For three elections now, Democrats have looked for a Goliath, but their Goliath has been beaten to a pulp by the far-larger Republican Goliath. Remember, it was David who defeated Goliath. It was David who brought down the giant.”

McCabe added: “For Wisconsin to become what it has the potential to be, the death grip of big money influence has to be broken and our state government must be freed from the clutches of cronyism, corruption and what amounts to legal bribery of state officials.”

In its report of campaign activity through the end of 2017, Commoners for Mike McCabe reported fundraising totaling $104,493.91 and expenses totaling $83,336.64 with an ending balance of $21,157.27. Loans from the candidate and his wife totaling $25,000 to provided the campaign with start-up funding. The rest of the money raised came from individual contributions averaging $72.

MADISON – The first publicly-released survey of the Democratic primary for Governor of Wisconsin shows State Superintendent Tony Evers with a massive 18-point lead over the rest of the primary field.

In a 9-person field of candidates, Evers garners 29% of the vote, while only two other candidates, Kathleen Vinehout (11%) and Paul Soglin (10%) attract double-digit support. Evers leads by double-digits in every major media market, including a 12-point lead over Paul Soglin in the Madison market. In addition to winning 34% of the vote in Madison, Evers is supported by 25% of primary voters in the Milwaukee market (leading Flynn by 19 points and Gronik by 22 points), 32% in the Wausau/Eau Claire/La Crosse markets (leading Vinehout by 17 and Wachs by 26 points), and 33% in the Green Bay market.

After voters are read a short description of all 9 candidates, Evers’ lead increases from 18 to 21 points.

Months of negative attacks by Walker have done little to dent Evers’ image.  His strength is reflected in his overwhelmingly favorable image among primary voters, among whom 60% view him favorably and only 9% view him unfavorably.  Other candidates tested were far less known and far less liked than Evers.

“This poll confirms what we’ve been hearing around the state – Democratic primary voters know that Tony Evers’ record of standing up to Scott Walker to defend our public schools, fighting against Walker’s $4,000,000,000 Foxconn deal and his proven ability to win statewide elections make him the best choice to fix the state after 8 years of Walker mismanagement,” said campaign manager Nathan Henry.

Evers is easily seen as the candidate most likely to beat Scott Walker in November.  When voters were asked, “Regardless of who you might vote for, working from the same list of choices, which candidate do you think has the best chance of beating Scott Walker in November,” 35% chose Evers – 25 points higher than Soglin (10%), with no other candidate exceeding single digits.

“In order to beat Scott Walker in November, Democrats must field the strongest candidate possible,” Henry said.  “By a significant margin, Democratic primary voters believe Tony and his record of achievement for Wisconsin make him the candidate with the best chance of defeating Walker.”

The survey of 747 likely Democratic primary voters was conducted by Public Policy Polling from January 8-10, 2018.  The survey was called using IVR technology.  The margin of error is +/- 3.6%.  Full details of the poll can be found on the poll memo accompanying this release.

Matt Flynn outlines a better approach to private-sector investments.

MILWAUKEE - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn attacked Governor Scott Walker Wednesday for his giveaways to corporations at taxpayer expense.

"When he first ran in 2010, Walker promised to create 250,000 jobs in his first term. It's nearly two terms later and we are still waiting," said Flynn. "What he did instead was spend our tax dollars on corporate giveaways under the pretense of creating jobs. He cut taxes for the very rich, made non-transparent investments with our tax dollars, provided billions in subsidies to foreign and out-of-state corporations with no job requirements, and created the corrupt Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, which is essentially a slush fund for his donors."

"When we look at the results, we find a terrible return on investment for the taxpayers," Flynn continued. "Taxpayers are spending at least $231,000 for each new job at Foxconn, and perhaps as much as $1.3 million per job. The rosiest forecast is it will take more than 25 years for the state to break even on the deal. I don't believe we will ever break even on this deal."

Flynn also noted how Walker sides with the demands of big business over workers, the environment, and public health concerns. He has driven down wages for the many while enriching the few.

"Walker only represents his donors and out-of-state corporations," said Flynn. "His job for them is to vacuum cash out of our public assets and into their pockets."

Flynn outlined his own standards for working with the private sector:

• Our goal should be increasing personal income for every Wisconsinite.
• State investment opportunities should be ranked by their potential impact on increasing income and good jobs.
• State investments should be transparent, measurable, and in line with our economic strategies, as should the cost-benefit analyses of our investments.
• Wisconsin's government should not arbitrarily pick winners and losers but rather invest according to strategic priorities. The state should not selectively exempt some corporations from our laws.

"Leading growth states have demonstrated that it is better to support public assets such as education, infrastructure, and clean water than to give money to wealthy individuals and corporations with the hope it will trickle down," said Flynn. "Most Wisconsinites understand this. It's time to elect a governor who understands it, too."

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Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He attended law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com.

Site offers quiz to help you learn about Scott Walker's failed record as Governor.

MILWAUKEE - Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Andy Gronik released a brand new microsite www.wisconsinisinjeopardy.com Wednesday exposing Gov. Scott Walker's seven years of failure, incompetence, and corruption as Wisconsin's top executive.

"Gov. Scott Walker knows I’m the Democrat who will beat him in November, that's why he and the Wisconsin Republican Party attacked me before I became a candidate; attacked me statewide immediately upon declaring myself a candidate; and continues to attack me today with ridiculous accusations.  If Gov. Walker thinks spreading falsehoods about my friends and me will distract from his long list of failures he should think again." said gubernatorial candidate Andy Gronik. "I'll put my 35 years of business success helping struggling companies worldwide grow and create good-paying, family-sustaining jobs up against Gov. Walker's two and a half decade long political career of saying one thing and doing another."

You can view the website here.

"Gov. Walker’s policies have failed, and the people of Wisconsin have had to live with the consequences. Seven years after Walker took office our economy is stagnant - so stagnant Walker’s willing to give billions to a foreign corporation to create the appearance of competency.  Seven years after taking office our public schools have been starved of resources and our teachers humiliated - so starved and so humiliated that Walker’s now willing to try to buy his way back into public favor.  His us or them politics and willingness to sell off pieces of our state to his highest political contributors have put Wisconsin in jeopardy.  We simply cannot afford another four years of Walker as Governor. My plans create good jobs in science, technology, manufacturing, and agriculture and spur more new business starts and more small, medium and large business growth by rewarding success. My plans leverage the best ideas no matter where they come from and make life in our state better for everyone. Change is necessary and good.  I’m the change candidate who will make good things happen for all of the people of Wisconsin," concluded Gronik.

Andy Gronik Launches Microsite: WisconsinIsInJeopardy.com

Patty is the “real deal”, a hunter, an outdoor enthusiast, and has lived her entire life in western Wisconsin, observing the conservation tradition to protect our beautiful state for our kids and grandkids.

MADISON – Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters proudly endorses Patty Schachtner for Wisconsin’s Senate District 10.

The upcoming special election on Jan. 16 in SD10 provides voters one of the first major opportunities to send a message to the anti-conservation elements in Madison and Washington D.C. by electing Patty Schachtner.

Patty Schachtner is a conservationist through and through. She is a hunter, an outdoor enthusiast, and has lived her entire life in western Wisconsin, observing a simple conservation tradition: Protect our beautiful state for our kids and grandkids (of which she has nine). A community leader from St. Croix, Patty is the “real deal” for Wisconsin.

Her opponent, Adam Jarchow, has been on the Conservation Dishonor Roll twice, and has said he sees that anti-conservation title “as a badge of honor.” During the 2015-16 Legislative Session, Jarchow authored the Polluter Grab Bag, an extreme proposal that gave away public land in lakebeds for free to developers. In 2017, he voted against the common-sense Leading on Lead Bill (SB48/AB78), which gives communities more tools to replace toxic lead pipes.

“We need leaders who bring common sense solutions to the problems we face. I do that every day in my work in the community and will bring the same approach to the legislature,” Schachtner says.

Communities in the 10th District have a proud history of environmental stewardship and should have a representative like Patty Schachtner who matches those values.

# # #

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to electing conservation leaders, holding decision makers accountable, and encouraging lawmakers to champion conservation policies that effectively protect Wisconsin's public health and natural resources.

You can follow legislation impacting natural resources on our Conservation Vote Tracker, a real-time accountability tool that provides you with a complete picture of what conservation issues are in play and how legislators are performing: http://conservationvoters.org/vote-tracker/

Is running for the seat now held by Justice Michael Gableman, who has announced his retirement. Primary to be held February 20th, 2018 and will narrow the field to 2 in April.

MADISON, WI - Progressive candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Tim Burns filed his nomination papers for office yesterday to place his name on the spring ballot. Burns is running for the seat now held by Justice Michael Gableman, who has announced his retirement from the court. There are three candidates for the seat - Tim Burns, Rebecca Dallet and Michael Screnock. The primary will be held on February 20th, 2018 and will narrow the field to 2 candidates who will advance to the April 3rd general election.

The following is a statement from Tim Burns:

“I’m running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court because in the span of my adulthood, any equal opportunities for the children of people who struggle has disappeared in our country. It has been replaced by a system where most income and wealth goes to the top 1% and everyone else works longer and harder for less and less.

The inequity is astounding, and our rubber stamp Wisconsin Supreme Court is part of the problem. The courts are the final authority in this country, and ours has been looking out for corporations and special interests while leaving the rest of us, and our rights, behind.

I'm the progressive candidate in this race. I believe that women should be able to make their own healthcare decisions. I believe in the right to vote. I believe in strong workers movements and I believe that working people have been working longer and harder for less and less. I'm not going to apologize for those beliefs, and I'll be talking about them as I travel Wisconsin these next three months to meet with supporters.”

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Tim Burns is a partner at a law firm in Madison, WI. He is a former co-chair of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association. A graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia Law School, Tim is licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri. Tim's national practice focuses on making insurance companies live up to their obligations to their policyholders. Tim also serves on the national board of the American Constitution Society and he chaired the Fair and Impartial Courts Committee of the Civil Rights and Social Justice Section of the American Bar Association. Tim and his wife Pam, have chosen Middleton to raise their family. Married for over 20 years, they have three children.