A new spending record was set in the 2010 campaign for Wisconsin governor. “It was at least $37.4 million,” said Mike McCabe with the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. “A new record by a long shot.” McCabe had actually predicted overall spending for the campaign would reach $40 million. Still, he noted that this new record is sixteen percent more than the amount spent just four years ago, helped by hefty outside spending. “We saw outside interest groups add more than $12 million to the $25 million that all the candidates spent.” McCabe noted the campaign spending originated from less than one percent of the state population – and spending grew despite the recession. “It goes to show that the political economy seems to be absolutely recession proof.” The $11.3 million spent by Scott Walker’s campaign for governor set a new record for spending by an individual campaign.
