Republican U.S. Senate hopefuls Russ Darrow, Robert Lorge, Tim Michels and Bob Welch are furiously campaigning across most of Wisconsin as the Sept. 14 Republican primary nears. Unlike the rest of the state however, the city of Madison has been avoided, particularly the UW-Madison campus.
\There hasn't been much visible campaigning, and I'm surprised that I haven't seen more of it,"" said Charles Franklin, a UW-Madison political science professor. Franklin suggested the political climate of Madison might have had some influence over the amount of money and time Republican candidates have spent here, saying Madison is ""not exactly a hotbed of Republican strength.""
Welch spokesperson Mike Prentiss said Welch appeals to college students because he has been visiting campuses throughout the state while meeting and greeting students. When asked if Welch could do anything to roll back the cost of tuition, he said the federal government has little to do with tuition costs.
Lorge said he has the best plan for college students, which entails a complete reimbursement of tuition 10 years after a student graduates. ""Every student in America, regardless of social standing, should be able to afford the college of their choice,"" he said. Lorge said this strategy would improve America's workforce because education would be a priority and financial concerns would be nonexistent.
Darrow spokesperson Eric Schutt said the candidate has done a good job appealing to college students because he has talked to College Republicans across the UW System.
Tim Michels could not be reached for comment.
Aside from campaigning, the candidates have also been raising money. Darrow has raised approximately $4 million, Michels $2 million, Welch $1 million, and Lorge $100,000.
""There is just no limit on how much money a candidate can raise,"" Franklin said. ""It may be unjust, but that is the way the system works.""
He added the people who raise large sums of money are most likely the people who are politically attractive.
Franklin also said politicians who have held office before, like Welch, tend to be more politically attractive because of fund raising abilities and name recognition. This particular primary may be an exception, however, as the two fund-raising leaders are Darrow and Michels, both of whom have no political experience and seem to be doing well.
Though Feingold does not seem to be campaigning hard, Franklin said he is only spending enough to counter Republican attack ads. Franklin warned that a hard contested primary will leave Republican candidates with depleted funds and an optimal time for Feingold to begin spending vigorously.
