Candidates, groups spent record $35.8m on Wisconsin legislative races

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A government watchdog group says candidates and special interest groups together spent a record $35.8 million on Wisconsin legislative races last year.

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign reports the spending shattered the previous record of $28.1 million in the 2016 legislative races and more than doubled the $17 million spent in the fall of 2014.

Twenty-six outside groups spent $12.2 million last year on express advocacy and issue ads. Democratic groups spent more than $6.7 million and Republican groups spent about $5.5 million. Candidates and legislative campaign committees spent nearly $23.6 million.

Six races saw spending in excess of $1 million by candidates and groups combined. The race in the 17th Senate District saw the most combined spending at $4.5 million.