Wisconsin Dem spent $41K in weeks around recall

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Democrat vying for an open state Senate seat in last month’s recalls spent $41,000 in the weeks surrounding the elections.

State Rep. Donna Seidel of Wausau filed campaign finance reports covering the period between May 22 and the end of June. They show she spent $41,058 and raised $31,781.

Her opponent, Republican Rep. Jerry Petrowski of Marathon, spent $88,245 and raised $37,167 during the period.

Petrowski defeated Seidel for the open seat in central Wisconsin’s 29th Senate District in the June 5 elections. Democrats forced incumbent Republican Pam Galloway of Wausau into a recall to punish her for supporting Gov. Scott Walker’s law stripping most public workers of nearly all their union rights, but Galloway resigned rather than defend her seat. State officials let the election go on regardless.