Just like his freshly painted garage door, Senator Russ Feingold’s latest campaign finance report leaves no trace of his pledge to the people of Wisconsin.
Per his July quarterly, Mr. Clean only raised 32% of his itemized individual contributions from the state he seeks to serve in Washington.
- Feingold Raised $708,699.73 From Itemized Individuals In Wisconsin And $1,501,246.66 From Itemized Individuals Outside Of Wisconsin. (Russ For Wisconsin, July Quarterly, Federal Election Commission, Filed 7/15/16)
FEINGOLD FLASHBACK:
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In A Famous 1992 Campaign Ad, Russ Feingold Pledged “I Will Rely On Wisconsin Citizens, Not Out-Of-Staters To Pay For This Campaign.” FEINGOLD AD: “I’m just the opposite. I visited Washington, DC, but I live right here in Middleton, Wisconsin. And if you elect me, I’ll continue to live right here. That’s one of the three pledges I made when I decided to run for the United States Senate. They’re all here in writing on my garage doors. The other two are that I will rely on Wisconsin citizens, not out-of-staters to pay for this campaign, and I’ll accept no pay raise during my six year term in office.” (Feingold “Home Movies” Ad, 1992)
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In 1992, Feingold Said “I Don’t Think There’s Anything Wrong With Occasional Out-Of-State Campaign Contributions. But You Better Darn Well Make Sure That A Majority Of What You Receive Is From The People Whom You Would Represent.” (Russ Feingold, Democratic Senate Primary Debate, 8/28/92)
- Feingold Said “That’s A Pledge I’m Going To Keep. I’m Not Going To Get In There And Go, ‘OK, Where Are The PACs And Where Are The Out-Of-State Contributions?’ I’m Making A Pledge For The Future.” (Russ Feingold, Democratic Senate Primary Debate, 8/28/92)
With $329,581.50 raised in the Golden State – including $24,285 from notable individuals and PACs in Hollywood and another $6,688.17 from academics, Russ for Wisconsin’s report reads more like a California phone book than it does the quarterly summary of a Wisconsin Senate candidate.
Given the ease with which the godfather of campaign finance reform breaks his own promises – as has been the case quarter after quarter since he was fired, why would Wisconsinites ever trust him on anything else?