The Money Game: Spending Exceeds $60 Million in Governor Recall Race

Money is flowing into Wisconsin at unprecedented rates, with nearly $62 million spent thus far in the gubernatorial recall race, a nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog group reported Thursday.

Republican Gov. Scott Walker has spent more than Democratic opponent Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and special-interest groups combined, with $29.3 million of his $30.5 million war chest spent thus far. Barrett won a May 8 primary election, setting the stage for a Tuesday.

The new numbers released by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign show total spending is nearly double the record for a statewide race of $37.4 million set during the 2010 gubernatorial race - also between Walker and Barrett.

Of the $29 million, Walker has spent $5.8 million, including $4.8 million from individual donors and just more than $300,000 from political action committees, since April 24. Of Walker’s itemized individual contributions, 70 percent came from outside the state, the group says.

See who is donating to Walker and Barrett with

Meanwhile, Democratic candidates have spent roughly $4 million, with Barrett accounting for $2.9 million of the total. Barrett has raised $3.1 million from April 24 to May 21 — $3.94 since entering the race in March — including nearly $2.6 million from individuals and $508,000 from political action committees.

Of his itemized contributions in this latest reporting period, 30 percent came from outside Wisconsin. He has collected about $3.4 million from individuals, with 74 percent coming from Wisconsin residents and 26 percent from out of state.

Outside interest groups reported spending $21.5 million on the race and so-called issue ad groups that do not disclose their spending have dumped at least another $7.5 million into the election.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says overall spending has been lopsided in favor of the Republicans, with somewhere between a 2-to-1 and 3-to-1 edge.