MADISON – Republicans lead the field in fundraising in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District in the latest financial reports released by their campaigns.
Five Republicans and three Democrats are running to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in the solid Republican district, where President Donald Trump has already made an endorsement. Tiffany, who carried the district by more than 25 points in 2024, is running for governor.
The 7th Congressional District is the state’s largest in terms of land and covers much of central and northern Wisconsin.
Voters will head to the polls on Aug. 11 for the primary election and Nov. 3 for the general election.
Here’s how much the candidates have raised so far.
Michael Alfonso, Republican
Alfonso, the son-in-law of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and recipient of President Donald Trump’s endorsement, raised about $3.4 million between April 1 and June 30, and spent about $3.5 million. He has raised about $12.5 million over the course of his campaign.
He is left with $706,000 cash on hand.
Jessi Ebben, Republican
Ebben, a manufacturing strategist, raised about $63,000 this quarter, and spent about $72,000. She has raised about $415,000 over the course of her campaign.
She is left with about $290,000 on hand.
Kevin Hermening, Republican
Hermening, who owns a financial advising business, raised about $46,000 this quarter, and spent about $614,000. He has raised about $103,000 over the course of his campaign, and given his campaign about $1 million of his own money.
He is left with about $277,000 on hand.
Niina Baum, Republican
Baum, a communications specialist, raised about $13,000 this quarter, bringing her total to about $19,000, according to her campaign. Due to an error with importing data, her July quarterly numbers are not available through the Federal Elections Commission site, she said, but an amendment will be filed in the coming days.
Don Raihala, Republican
Raihala said in an email that he will not be submitting a report to FEC, as he is self-funding his campaign.
“I have plenty of money to self fund my campaign if I go further, so I don’t ask for people’s hard earned money nor do I file a FEC report because I haven’t segregated my money specifically for campaigning,” he said. “I’ll throw down if the moment arrives.”
He entered into the race at the start of June, after securing the signatures needed to be placed on the ballot.
Fred Clark, Democrat
Clark, a former state representative, raised about $117,000 this quarter, and spent about $94,000. Over the course of his campaign, he has raised about $385,000.
He is left with about $166,000 on hand.
Chris Armstrong, Democrat
Armstrong, who owns an IT business , raised $4,570 this quarter, and spent $7,723. Over the course of his campaign, he’s raised about $36,000.
He has just over $252 left on hand.
Ginger Murray, Democrat
Murray, a family lawyer, raised about $23,000 this quarter, and spent about $77,000. Over the course of her campaign, she’s raised about $38,000.
She has about $40,000 left on hand.
Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X @SchulteLaura.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Michael Alfonso tops fundraising in race to succeed Tom Tiffany
Reporting by Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
