According to his latest campaign finance forms, Clarke raised $49,428 since January and spent a mere $10,330. That leaves him with $91,635 ($32,000 of which is personal loan from 2004).
So who’s giving to the sheriff? His biggest donors include lots of folks who cannot vote for him—wealthy folks who don’t live in Milwaukee County and therefore cannot cast a ballot for the alleged Democrat, a darling of the tea party circuit (here and here).
According to his latest campaign finance reports, here are some of the prominent Republicans and conservative businesspeople who are among his biggest supporters—but not Milwaukee County residents:
- David and Jane Frank, Germantown residents: $1,000
- John Shiely, Elm Grove resident and CEO of Briggs & Stratton: $1,000
- Tim Michels, Hartland resident: $1,500
- Rich Meeusen, Pewaukee resident, head of Badger Meeter: $550
- Gordon Boucher, Oconomowoc resident: $250
- Mary Stitt, GOP fundraiser and Pt. Washington resident: $250
- JJ Ziegler, husband of conservative, ethically challenged Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler, resident of West Bend: $500
- Russ Darrow of West Bend: $250
- Dennis Kuester, Madison resident and chair of M&I Bank: $250
Well, what do you know? Some Milwaukee County residents also happen to support the sheriff. What’s fascinating is that they’re conservative or Republicans, too:
- George Mitchell, school voucher champion: $500
- Rick Graber, former head of the Wisconsin GOP and current Scott Walker booster: $250
- Margaret Farrow, former Republican lieutenant governor: $250
- Howard Fuller, school voucher champion: $250
- Fred Luber, chair of Super Steel: $500
- Deborah McGriff, school voucher champion: $250
And the PACs that support the sheriff aren’t all that moderate, either:
- Concerned Realtors Committee: $1,500
- Curt Gielow for Mayor Committee: $250
- Alliance of Bankers for WI: $250
Yeah, that Democratic sheriff. He really knows how to energize his base. Too bad his biggest backers will be voting in the Republican primary and won’t be able to cast a ballot for him as an alleged Democrat.
UPDATE: And then there are the Sheriff's anonymous supporters -- like the dude who just called me a few minutes ago, from a "private" number, who asked why the Shepherd is full of socialists, why we're racist, and informing me that Clarke's opponent, Chris Moews, is Jewish, and that I'm Jewish, too, and only support Jews. Oh, and that I'm racist and socialist -- again. Lovely, hey?
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Great journalism Lisa! Way to cherry-pick his donor list! Don't bother listing the Democrats who donated to his campaign because that would render your "article" useless.
What is the importance of political alignment for a Sheriff? Clearly it is unimportant if people are willing to cross party lines in support of the Sheriff.
I also don't see the importance of outing people who don't reside in Milwaukee County. Perhaps they work or enjoy some of the attractions of Milwaukee County, Bradford Beach, which is now a respectable place to visit, much to the Sheriff's credit.
Are you under Crarkes desk when you post about the Fuhrer?
Hmm...you seem to be missing the campaign finance numbers and donors for Moews. Oh wait, that's because he has no money. A quick fact-check would show that he only has $500 available. Yeah, this guy is a serious candidate. The S-E's hatred of Clarke is laughable at this point. Bye-bye print media and strip club ads!
The update is stupid. Sounds like someone doesn't like YOU and your publication. That's an editorial bit and doesn't belong.
Why does it matter that conservatives outside of the county support him? The safety of the county is in the best interests of everyone in the metro area.
If he's a democrat and also appeals to conservatives, that's fantastic! What's the problem here?
I'm getting really tired of all the divisiveness from both sides. The author of this article is no better than the tea partiers.
Who was he supposed to get the money from? Potowatomi? Didn't they give all their cash to Doyle? It is not uncommon for candidates to get donations from those affiliated with other parties. This is tabloid "journalism" but pretty much what is to be expected from the Shepherd when they know "their" candidate doesn't have a chance. Keep trying and good luck.
How come you didn't list any of the known Democrats that have contributed to his campaign? He has quite a few on both sides of the political spectrum. This was a lame attempt at not giving the readers all of the facts.