GOP law allowing unlimited party donations is ‘terrible,’ Schimel says
After conservatives suffered their fourth straight state Supreme Court defeat on April 7, former candidate Brad Schimel party highlights fundraising inequalities and called the decade-old campaign finance rules passed by Republicans a “terrible law.”
“I think it’s a terrible decision and I hope someone reverses it,” Schimel said April 12 on WISN-TV’s “Upfront.”
Schimel was referring to a 2015 law Written by Republicans It was signed by former Gov. Scott Walker, allowing donors to make unlimited contributions to state political parties. funnel money To their preferred candidates. Comparatively, individual donations Support for a state Supreme Court nominee is capped at $20,000.
“I used [the law]last year of course because I had to,” Schimel said. currently runs the U.S. Attorney’s Office Based in Milwaukee. “These days in Eau Claire, Superior and Green Bay, meet and greets are not enough… you need mass communication.”
Campaign finance totals show liberal Justice-elect Chris Taylor Raised approximately $6.2 millioncompared to conservative rival Maria Lazar’s $1.2 million. Republican Party of Wisconsin gave about Lazar’s campaign received $163,500 in monetary and in-kind donations, while the Democratic Party of Wisconsin contributed about $863,500 to Taylor.
More: A look behind the money going into Wisconsin Supreme Court races
Republicans, including Walker, said their party should revitalize fundraising efforts following Lazar’s loss and ahead of U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany’s run for governor in the fall, where he faces a wide Democratic primary field.
asked at the watch party on election night Regarding his party’s support for his campaign, Lazar said that he was satisfied with the financial support he received and that he “made no accusations” against anyone.
More: Wisconsin GOP seeks answers after failing to make a splash in Tuesday’s election
Democrats, who were rejected by Republicans 10 years ago, have now become a fundraising powerhouse and are using the law to their own advantage. WPR analysis Found in 2024.
Between 2019 and 2025, When Ben Wikler led the state Democratic PartyThe party raised $262 million for its state and federal accounts, compared to $97 million for the Republican Party.
Devin Remiker replaced Wikler as the Democratic state party chairman. said Schimel. “I couldn’t find [the law] “It was so bad last year when he was crawling on his knees begging for money.”
This means Schimel’s comments on fundraising for his 2025 campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Elon Musk spent 20 million dollars We support Schimel, who lost by 10 points to liberal Judge Susan Crawford.
Schimel, a former state attorney general, currently leads the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The district’s judges refused to U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi, whose temporary position is permanent but now ousted assigned him a new title.
Schimel acknowledged on “Upfront” that he could be fired at any time and that he does not feel any pressure on his job from the Trump administration.
Attorney General Todd says he’s “thrilled” with Blanche’s new initiative collapse about fraud in taxpayer-funded programs.
“I saw things that made my head spin with the amount of fraud that was going on,” Schimel said. “We’re going to go after big things, and there will be plenty to choose from.”
More: Milwaukee prenatal care company owner sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud
Hopefully Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@usatodayco.com.
This article first appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Schimel says GOP law allowing unlimited donations to parties is ‘horrible’
