Ron Johnson Raises More Money Than Democratic Challengers In Key Fundraising Quarter

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) raised more money than his top four Democratic opponents during the second quarter of a key Senate race, according to FEC data. 

During the second quarter, the Wisconsin senator pulled in about $7 million, which was more than the $3.7 million the Democrats raised collectively during the same time period, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

“Ron Johnson has the support of regular people all across Wisconsin because he fights for them every day in Washington,” Ben Voelkel, spokesperson for Johnson’s re-election campaign, said, reported WisPolitics.

“National liberals have been throwing every lie and distortion they can at Ron because they don’t want to talk about the Biden record of sky-high inflation, open borders and runaway spending that have our country on the wrong track,” Voelkel added.

Johnson, who is seeking a third term in the Senate, has been a target for Democrats looking to flip a seat in a purple state. 

Wisconsin Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (D-WI), one of the leading Democrats in the race, brought in just over $2 million. Barnes, a self-described progressive, has been endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). 

“This quarter’s unprecedented show of support is proof that working families are ready to support a candidate who understands firsthand the challenges they’re facing and their hopes for the future,” said Lauren Chou, deputy communications director for the Barnes campaign. 

Milwaukee Bucks executive and Democratic candidate Alex Lasry continued to spend big on his own campaign for the Senate nomination as he contributed over $6 million to his campaign through a personal loan. Lasry has now given his campaign over $12 million in self-loans, according to the Journal Sentinel. Outside of his personal loans, he raised just over half a million dollars in donations in the second quarter.

State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski (D-WI) took in $900,000 in donations, while Tom Nelson, a Democratic county executive, raised $230,000. Godlewski also contributed $600,000 in self-loans during the quarter as well. 

Polling shows that Barnes is the favorite to take the Democratic nomination, while the general election is expected to be close. 

Johnson, who has focused his campaign on the decades-high inflation hitting the country, also made headlines Thursday for his comments about a same-sex marriage bill working its way through the Senate. 

“The Respect for Marriage Act is another example of Democrats creating a state of fear over an issue in order to further divide Americans for their political benefit. Even though I feel the Respect for Marriage Act is unnecessary, should it come before the Senate, I see no reason to oppose it,” Johnson said in a statement. 

He explained that he did “not see any scenario in which the Supreme Court would overturn” Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court case that struck down state bans on same-sex marriage and declared same-sex marriage a constitutional right.