Appleton, WI –  Relying on garage sales and even a homemade lemonade stand, Nelson for Wisconsin announced today three important firefighters union endorsements and that it has raised a total of $722,504 to date for its grassroots campaign to defeat Senator Ron Johnson. The Nelson campaign has built a solid statewide grassroots network of small-dollar donors that eschews self-funding, Wall Street and corporate PAC money. The average donation made to the campaign stands at $86.26, with 57 percent of donations provided by Wisconsin supporters hailing from over 90 percent of Wisconsin counties. For the second quarter of the year, the campaign raised nearly $240,000 and has $406,356 cash-on-hand, putting the campaign in a strong position to build its people-powered, grassroots campaign that will compete in all 72 counties.

“As the son of a Lutheran pastor, Tom is one of the few non-millionaires running for Senate and we are proud to be funded mostly by small dollar donors from Wisconsin,” said Irene Lin, campaign manager. “As the only candidate in the race elected in a red county, Tom’s record of progressive accomplishments, including helping to save a hometown paper mill and years of service in the legislature, has excited folks who know he is best equipped to go up against billionaire son-in-law Ron Johnson.”

Health care remains a dividing line in the Senate primary, with some candidates pointedly declining to support Senator Tammy Baldwin’s stance in favor of Medicare for All. The Nelson campaign recently released a Medicare for All digital ad that riffs on the “Harry and Louise” ads of 30 years ago, using them to highlight Nelson’s own deeply personal health care story and why it led him to support the universal health insurance plan.

Watch the “Tom and Maria” health care video HERE

Tweet the “Tom and Maria” health care video HERE

Print Friendly, PDF & Email