Deklotz leads fundraising in 33rd District race
But Kapenga has largest war chest so far
Delafield Realtor Joe Deklotz has raised more than $10,000 in individual campaign contributions, more than any of the four Republican candidates running for the 33rd District Assembly seat primary, but opponents, including incumbent Scott Newcomer, say they're not worried about the money.
Deklotz raised a majority of the money at a December fundraiser held the same day the area was hit by a large snowstorm.
"I have never done this type of fundraiser before, so I didn't know what to expect," said Deklotz. "The response was certainly very heartwarming."
The Sept. 14 primary will be a runoff between Newcomer, who faced a number of personal and professional issues in the past year, Deklotz, Town of Delafield Supervisor Larry Krause and Chris Kapenga of Delafield.
Wisconsin's 33rd Assembly District includes Hartland, Chenequa, Nashotah, the City and Town of Delafield, Wales, North Prairie, the Town of Genesee and portions of the Town of Mukwonago, Town and City of Waukesha and City of Pewaukee.
Deklotz's efforts exceed what any of the other candidates have raised, as reported to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, but opponents say it's still early.
Newcomer said he's concentrating on his office and not on his campaign. "I'm right now focused on doing my job," Newcomer said. "I'm not in campaign mode."
Newcomer said he's working to serve the people and move forward a constitutional amendment that allows dual tax rates for a set time period after communities merge. Newcomer held what he called a successful fundraiser in December but not all the money came in in time for the reporting deadline, he said. Newcomer said he feels good about the support and will concentrate on his campaign when the legislative session is over. He has a number of fundraisers planned for the spring and summer.
Deklotz raised $10,125 during the reporting period to Newcomer's reported $6,070, according to the accountability board. Kapenga and Krause also raised individual campaign contributions during this time; however, the candidates also loaned money to their own campaigns - Krause in the amount of $5,150 and Kapenga in the amount of $41,100.
Krause, a former school board member and a small business owner who has lived in the district since 1976, raised $6,250 during the reporting period, according to the accountability board. Krause has plans for future fundraising events and said there's still a lot of time in the campaign.
"This is a marathon, not a sprint," Krause said.
Kapenga said he didn't file his paperwork until December and has plans for fundraisers beginning in late February.
Kapenga said Deklotz's $10,000 fundraising amount is average. Kapenga said he expects $50,000 to $100,000 in spending for his campaign. Kapenga said Newcomer has lobbyists lined up to contribute to the incumbent's campaign. According to the reports, Newcomer has just under $25,000 in existing and new funds.
Deklotz is aware of the money Kapenga is willing to spend on his campaign.
"He plans to spend lots of money; I plan to spend lots of time," Deklotz said. Deklotz anticipates spending less than $20,000 on his run for office and said the campaign is about meeting people in the streets and sitting down for coffee with people.
"I think time and effort is what this district wants," Deklotz said.
Krause said experience and what a candidate stands for are more important than the amount of money spent on a campaign.
"I'm certainly not out to buy the campaign," he said.
Kapenga contributed his own money because, as he sees it, public servants need to make sacrifices, he said. Kapenga is getting into the campaign to be a public servant, not a politician, he said.
Kapenga said he's concentrating on the issues - jobs and the economy - and is not concerned with who shows what.
"Fundraising does not win an election," Kapenga said. "Votes win an election."
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