Politico Influence: Citizens United Hits Wisconsin Airwaves in Recall Election
EXCLUSIVE … Conservative issues organization Citizens United, which last year provided impetus for major election law changes in the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision, is today investing $300,000 to support Wisconsin Republicans facing a recall election next week. David Bossie, Citizens United’s president, tells PI that most of that money will be spent on television and cable advertisements in the Madison and Green Bay markets, with a small amount used toward robocalls. They begin today and run through Aug. 8.
“We want to deliver and be part of the message that when courageous people step up … they should not be hounded out of office,” Bossie said. “We support reigning in spending, which is why we’re getting involved here.”
The ads will primarily target Wisconsin’s 14th State Senate District, in which state Sen. Luther Olsen faces recall on Aug. 9. Olsen is one of nine state senators up for recall following a protracted political row in which Republicans, led by Gov. Scott Walker, sought to repair the state’s ailing budget in part by eliminating many collective bargaining rights for public employees. In a related matter, Bossie added that his group is likely to involve itself in supporting Ohio Senate Bill 5, which would curtail collective bargaining powers of public workers in the Buckeye State.