The campaign to recall Republican state Sen. Alberta Darling took an unexpected turn as challenger Sandy Pasch reported raising far more in July than her rival.
Pasch, a Democrat from Whitefish Bay, still has far less money on hand, however, and overall has taken in less cash this year.
Reports filed Monday night with the state Government Accountability Board show that Pasch raised $190,903 in July, compared to Darling's $165,155.
To date, Darling has raised $1,123,574 to Pasch's $622,680, according to the reports.
Pasch reports having $216,439 on hand compared to Darling's $401,382 as the campaign enters its final week.
Despite trailing in overall money raised during the year, Pasch's campaign was upbeat about the latest numbers.
"This is just another example of how strong Sandy Pasch is in this race and how the voters of the 8th state Senate District are backing her support for education, defense of seniors and shared sacrifice from public employees to big corporations," said Gillian Morris, a spokeswoman for the campaign.
The Darling campaign could not be reached for comment late Monday.
The campaign will set a record as the most expensive legislative race in state history. The previous record was set in 2008, when Darling warded off a challenge by Sheldon Wasserman, a Democrat who held an Assembly. Wasserman, who lost by about 1,000 votes, spent $722,000 compared to Darling's $479,000.
The reports do not include spending that is being done by outside organizations supporting both candidates.
The race is close.
A poll conducted by the for the Daily Kos website reported last week that Darling was leading 52 percent to 47 pcercent among likely voters with 1 percent undecided. Another poll done by the for the Democrats was released a week earlier had Pasch winning 47 percent to Darling's 46 percent.
Darling is one of six Republican senators that are subject to recall elections that will be held Aug. 9. Two Democratic senators will face challenges a week later. One Democrat already survived a recall election.
Control of the Senate is at stake. If the Democrats are up by three after the balloting is complete, they will take control of the Senate. The Republicans now control both chambers of the Legislature as well as the governor's office.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/01/1002037/-WI-Republican-Election-Observer-Guidelines-Contain-numerous-significant-and-factual-errors?via=spotlight
I hope DA Chisolm looks into the connections between "Citizen Action" of which Pasch and her treasurer are on the Board of Directors, and "WI. Jobs Now", which hosted the Ribs for Votes picnics. The Ex. Dir. of Citizen Action Matt Brusky, also works for WI.Jobs Now. The collusion here is a class I felony.
Here's a report that connects the dots....
She had no contribution limits through the end of May, and her rich pals dumped in tens of thousands at a pop. All it proves is that she's been a good little Darling for the money class.
Its already been ruled that after someone votes, and you have no idea who they voted for by the way, you can give them stuff. Some bars give out a free beer to anyone wearing a "I voted today": sticker and it has been ruled totally legal. If you want to talk about illegal campaign tactics take a look at what the Koch brothers AFP sending out phony absentee ballot information to registered democrats. Of course as a republican your most dearly held beliefs are hypocrisy and falsehoods so I wont try and knock your religion of hate and lies. .
Darling has her Koch masters sending out fake absentee ballots to people. A picnic. Please. You people are idiots. There was a case when bars were giving out beers to people with "I voted today" stickers. As long as they already voted its ok. So stop being stupid. I know its impossible for republicans to think for themselves but try and find someone a little less stupid to think for you. Drugs Limbaugh and Fox "News" are failing you.
Futhermore, the error was only made on election night- the following day is when the certification process takes place....and that worked- error caught. Anyone who believes this was invented votes is either stupid or completely uninformed, or both.
You know dam well those things you listed are entirely and firmly permanent republican tactics. I don't know why I bother trying to communicate with people as stupid as yourself. I have read some of your posts and everything you post is lies, rhetoric, and dam lies. I gate to break it to you but everyone sees who the real crooks are "doing anything to hold onto power" and its the GOP. Do you spit these lies knowing they are lies just trying to fool some other gullible rube or are you so stupid, so rabid, so cultishly blind to the facts that you actually believe these obvious and laughable lies?
:-) @Nate: LMAO- welcome back ????social notworking????