In Wisconsin, Republican Ron Johnson out-raised embattled incumbent Russ Feingold in July and August, raising $1.2 million to Feingold’s $920,000.  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Craig Gilbert reports:

So far this year, GOP Senate candidate Ron Johnson has raised about $1.8 million for his campaign against Democrat Russ Feingold and put about $4.4 million of his own money into the race, according to his latest campaign filing. The new reports cover the period from July 1 to August 25. They show that in that stretch, Johnson spent over $3.4 million, while Feingold spent over $2.1 million. Johnson raised roughly $1.2 million in that period, while Feingold raised $920,000… Johnson’s fundraising figure doesn’t include the more than $4 million he has lent himself… The Johnson campaign said that almost $1.7 million of the roughly $1.8 million it has raised has come from Wisconsin contributors.

While the New York Times notes:

Juston Johnson, Ron Johnson’s campaign manager, said voters were investing in his candidate’s Senate bid because they wanted someone who would work to change how the nation’s capital is operating. “Wisconsin voters want a Senator who will go to Washington and offer real solutions to our economy and job creation,” the campaign manager said. “They know Ron will fight for their best interests in Congress and they are excited to be part of this change.”

And National Journal’s Hotline On Call reports that Feingold has chosen not to join President Obama in Milwaukee on Labor Day, raising questions of whether the 18-year incumbent is attempting to run away from his unpopular Washington agenda:

If there were ever a sign that Dems are going to have trouble in Wisconsin this year this is it: Sen. Russell Feingold (D) is skipping Pres. Obama’s visit on Monday. Obama will be in town for a major political rally sponsored by the AFL-CIO. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Feingold is citing “scheduling conflicts” for missing the rally. We noted in today’s Starting Lineup that Wisconsin is quickly becoming a major focus for Dems this year. Feingold’s absence from the rally is sure sign Dems — and particularly Obama — are polling badly in the state.