Outsider Gropers and Grifters try to grab Tammy Baldwin's Senate seat

ELECTION 2018 'Unprecedented' outside spending hits Tammy Baldwin, boosts Kevin Nicholson in US Senate race Wisconsin State Journal

• MARK SOMMERHAUSER msommerhauser@madison.com

Seven months before Election Day, outside groups have given Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate race an early barrage of big money unlike any other in the nation — and likely, any other in history.

That torrent of political ads has put Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin on the defensive. And the backing of one wealthy donor, Illinois businessman Richard Uihlein, has boosted Kevin Nicholson in his primary bid against fellow Republican state Sen. Leah Vukmir.

More than $9 million has been spent in the race by outside groups, more than twice as much as any other U.S. Senate race, according to one measure by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Outside spending in Wisconsin likely is “unprecedented” for a U.S. Senate campaign, excluding special elections, at this stage, according to Andrew Mayersohn, a researcher for the center.

A broader view of outside spending in the race, based on data provided by Democratic and Republican sources in Wisconsin, puts the total amount spent at more than $13 million. That includes some spending on ads that name, but don’t explicitly support or oppose, a candidate — meaning they aren’t disclosed to the Federal Election Commission. The center uses FEC records in making its calculations.

Much of the spending in Wisconsin has flooded TV and radio airwaves with ads bashing Baldwin, praising Nicholson, or both. Some of the ads have been pro-Baldwin, and a few have touted Vukmir.

That has given Nicholson a lopsided edge on the airwaves in his primary battle with Vukmir. Outside groups have spent nearly $5 million to support Nicholson so far, compared to nearly $262,000 for Vukmir, according to the Center for Responsive Politics data.

Meanwhile, Baldwin, D-Madison, has faced a negative ad blitz that so far dwarfs any other U.S. Senate incumbent seeking re-election this fall. Outside groups have spent more than four times as much on negative ads against her than against any other senator, the Center for Responsive Politics data show.

“Tammy Baldwin is putting Wisconsin first, so it’s no surprise big money special interests and billionaire mega-donors are spending millions to attack her,” Baldwin spokesman Bill Neidhardt said in a statement. “But no matter how much these out-of-state right-wing groups dump into our state, Wisconsinites know Tammy listens to them.” ...

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