On Nov. 7, incumbent U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, one of the wealthiest politicians in the United States, will face three challengers for his seat. Kohl, able to spend millions of dollars of his own, appears to have an advantage over his challengers, worrying residents and candidates.
A recent poll shows Wisconsin residents are concerned about the role money plays in state elections and politics. The survey, conducted by Belden Russonello & Stewart, a research firm in Washington D.C., concluded residents feel change is needed in the state political system to solve perceived corruption.
Approximately 61 percent of Wisconsinites feel candidates who could represent their views well do not run for office because they lack the money to win.
According to Rae Vogeler, candidate for U.S. Senare, money in elections is a big problem.
""People almost have to be rich to run for office. Those who are not millionaires are hiding back,"" she said.
Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause Wisconsin, a non-partisan government reform group said he agrees something needs to be done to the election process so wealth is not such a factor determining who runs for office.
""Certainly Herb Kohl's wealth deters others from running for the U.S. Senate,"" Heck said.
The poll also found that 58 percent of residents think public financing of campaigns would make the election system and government work better.
""If all candidates receive the same amount of money, then the contest for the U.S. Senate would be based on ideas and who does the best in debates and not who has the most money,"" Heck said. ""In terms of making it fair for people to be able to run for office there should be some way to equalize the amount of money candidates spend.""
Though limiting spending of candidates, especially from their own pockets, sounds like a solution, it conflicts with their First Amendment rights, according to UW-Madison professor Donald Downs. The current system of finance reform, Downs said, gives politicians like Kohl an advantage because he can spend as much of his own money as he wants.
Downs proposed a different approach to campaign spending problems.
""I think the best solution would be to let people raise as much money as they want from private sources as long as there is public accountability,"" he said.
Being able to receive larger contributions would allow candidates more time to focus on the issues and policies rather than fundraising.
