Evers raises $10.1 million so far in 2022, setting stage for expensive campaign
MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers has raised $10.1 million in the first six months of 2022 — putting his total reelection fundraising haul since the start of 2021 at more than $20 million, according to the Democratic governor's campaign.
The incumbent is facing a general election race against either a wellknown former lieutenant governor or a construction executive with enough wealth to personally finance a campaign as rising inflation and gas prices push disapproval of the leader of Evers' party to historic levels.
Against these headwinds, Evers raised nearly double what his predecessor, former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, had amassed at this point in their 2018 race, according to the campaign.
Evers' campaign has $7.6 million in cash on hand one month from the start of the general election race.
Evers will likely face either former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch or Tim Michels, who co-owns Michels Corp., a pipeline construction company. Kleefisch and Michels are leading by double digits in recent state polling on a primary field of four Republicans.
Cassi Fenili, campaign manager for Evers, said the fundraising shows Evers "has worked to bring people together and do the right thing for Wisconsin."
In May, the Democratic Governors Association announced it planned to spend $21 million on behalf of Evers as its Republican counterpart said it would spend $6.2 million on spots for its nominee starting in September.
The Republican group has described its plans as initial and said it could spend more.