Money Muddies Political Waters

APPLETON, WI- (WISS) – Two Fox Valley legislators are making news this week for a rare bipartisan appearance. District 18 Senator, Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton) and 53rd Assembly District Representative Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) agree that emphasis on money and campaign spending has become detrimental to politics. Money muddies the water when it comes to the issues. 

Rep. Kaufert used the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court race on April 1st as a prime example.

“This last Supreme Court race. Elon Musk–I don’t know how many millions of dollars he put in. George Soros. He put in about a million dollars. JB Pritzker, the Governor of Illinois. Democrat Governor. He put in millions of dollars. It is just crazy. These outside groups are putting in money,” Kaufert said. “These elections are just ruthless.”

The Brennan Center for Justice says spending in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race hit $100 million on the final day. That spending came from both campaigns and outside groups. 

Brad Schimel’s campaign and groups that support him, including Elon Musk, spent $54 million. Meanwhile, while Susan Crawford’s team and supporters, like George Soros, spent $46 million. That amount of spending made this the most expensive judicial race in American history.

Kristin Dassler-Alfheim, the District 18 Senator from Appleton, ran as a Democrat. She says, given her way, there would be no political spending.

“We would all rather have no money in politics. I truly believe that is the answer,” said Dassler-Alfheim. “We would rather be talking to constituents. We would rather be listening and answering questions, and letting you learn who we are as real people. Eye to eye. That to me, is how campaigns should be run. In today’s world, that’s not the way it’s run, and it is really ridiculous–the amount of money that goes in.”

Kaufert added that spending millions of dollars on campaigning is disproportionate for a job that pays $57,000 a year, regardless of political affiliation.

The two lawmakers appeared as participants in a legislative lunch in the Fox Valley on Monday.