Election 2012
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Madison - Gov. Scott Walker raised $13 million since January to fight off the recall bid against him, far outdistancing his Democratic challengers and driving home the challenge they will have in beating the Republican incumbent.
Criss-crossing the country on fundraising trips, Walker has raised more than $25 million in total since January 2011 and has $4.8 million in cash on hand - numbers unlike any that have been seen for a political candidate in Wisconsin.
In comparison, Democratic challenger Kathleen Falk raised $1 million since January for her recall bid while Tom Barrett raised more than three-quarters of a million dollars in the just over three weeks he had been in the race.
The recall fundraising reports are due with state elections officials Monday and run from Jan. 1 through April 23 for Falk and Barrett and from Jan. 18 to April 23 for Walker.
"We continue to see strong grassroots support for Governor Walker, his bold reforms, and his plans for moving Wisconsin forward," said Walker spokeswoman Ciara Matthews. "Because of the overwhelming support for the governor, we can continue to speak to voters about how Governor Walker plans to move Wisconsin forward while his Democrat opponents plan to take Wisconsin backwards to higher taxes, record job loss, and massive deficits."
Barrett, the Milwaukee mayor, is vying with Falk, the former Dane County executive, to win the May 8 Democratic primary and take on Walker in the general recall election on June 5.
Barrett had nearly $500,000 from his mayoral campaign when he entered the recall race on March 30, giving him a little more in resources than Falk.
Both Falk or Barrett could benefit from spending by labor unions in the general election. In the primary, Falk has received more than $4 million in support from labor unions.
© 2012, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved.
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