Wisconsin state lawmakers accepted $2.91 million in campaign donations during 2009, the lowest amount since 2003 according to a report released Wednesday.
The report, published by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a non-partisan watchdog group, showed Assembly Republicans raised more than Assembly Democrats, who hold the majority.
Although the dip in revenue could be attributed to the economic climate, Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said the decline in campaign funds is likely related to the six-month Assembly fundraising ban imposed during the budget period.
""I don't think there's any question that the fundraising ban during the budgeting process was a major factor. If it were the recession, then you'd expect political spending to be down across the board, and that hasn't happened,"" McCabe said.
He said the political economy has stayed stable, if not increased, during the recession. However, he said the Republicans' success in fundraising could be a signal of shifting political sentiment in the state.
""That was a surprise,"" he said. ""That's not what usually happens. Usually money flows to power, and what we've seen year after year, after year is that whoever controls the majority in the [Assembly] also raises the most money. This is the exception. Republicans have to be feeling very ambitious about 2010.""
Kristin Ruesch, communications director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said she agrees the increase in donations indicates 2010 could be a big election year for the GOP.
""I think what that shows is the level of enthusiasm among the GOP grassroots,"" Ruesch said. ""People are excited. They want to change what's going on in Madison, and they are happy to support Republican candidates.""
Ruesch said she believes a contributing factor could be that the Republican Party is gaining some support from Independents.
""You see Independents switching over to the Republicans as well, as they are finding out what a Democratic majority looks like.""Wisconsin state legislators accepted $2.91 million in campaign donations during 2009, the lowest amount since 2003 according to a report released Wednesday.
The report, published by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a non-partisan watchdog group, showed Assembly Republicans raised more than the Democratic majority.
Although the dip in revenue could be attributed to the economic climate, Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said the decline in campaign funds is likely related to the six month Assembly fundraising ban imposed during the budget period.
""I don't think there's any question that the fundraising ban during the budgeting process was a major factor. If it were the recession, then you'd expect political spending to be down across the board, and that hasn't happened,"" McCabe said.
He said the political economy has stayed stable, if not increased, during the recession. However, he said the Republicans' success in fundraising could be a signal of shifting political sentiment in the state.
""That was a surprise,"" he said. ""That's not what usually happens. Usually money flows to power, and what we've seen year after year, after year is that whoever controls the majority in the [Assembly] also raises the most money. This is the exception. Republicans have to be feeling very ambitious about 2010.""
Kristin Ruesch, communications director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said she agrees the increase in donations indicates 2010 could be a big election year for the GOP.
""I think what that shows is the level of enthusiasm among the GOP grassroots,"" Ruesch said. ""People are excited. They want to change what's going on in Madison, and they are happy to support Republican candidates.""
Ruesch said she believes a contributing factor could be that the Republican Party is gaining some support from Independents.
""You see Independents switching over to the Republicans as well, as they are finding out what a Democratic majority looks like.""
