Campaign Finance Complaint
BEFORE THE WISCONSIN STATE ELECTIONS BOARD
- DONALD FISH,
- Complainant
- Against ElBd Cpt. 01-14
- DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WISCONSIN,
- Respondent.
This website provides information related to Donald Fish’s 2001 campaign finance complaint against the Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW). Use the menu on the left to view the text of documents Donald Fish filed with the State Elections Board, including much of the evidence, along with his public statements and various other material.
The four evidence files require Adobe Acrobat Reader—a free copy can be downloaded here.
Donald Fish’s complaint against the Democratic Party of Wisconsin was part of the state’s Caucus Scandal that erupted in early 2001. It was filed August 20, 2001 and concerns his allegations about the use of state resources that he testified ultimately made important contributions to the political party’s election campaigns.
Below is the statement Donald Fish released the day he filed his campaign finance complaint against the Democratic Party of Wisconsin:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2001
Campaign finance complaint filed against DPW
Today in Madison, at 2:22 p.m., as a citizen, I filed a formal 15-page complaint with the state Elections Board alleging violations of state campaign finance law by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. My complaint centers on allegation concerning voter databases built using state resources and facilities that ultimately made important contributions to the party’s campaign efforts.
My complaint alleges the party violated state campaign finance law by accepting and failing to fully report in-kind contributions of taxpayer-financed voter databases and by soliciting electioneering services from state employees while they were engaged in official duties.
Wisconsin has been important to my family since my grandfather's grandfather, John Adair, and his three brothers arrived here around 1850 and settled an area near Monroe. Along with the state’s other early settlers, they were the farmers, pioneers and original builders of Wisconsin’s spirit of freedom, clean government and the rule of law. It is now time for me to do my part, and that is why I have decided to come forward and file this complaint.
I believe a bond between the stewards of our state and the taxpayers has been dishonored. But this issue is not only about the $4 million the caucuses cost. It is primarily about undermining the election process by interjecting an unfair influence—one that protects incumbents and candidates favored by those with power.
One of the most troubling comments I read in the Wisconsin State Journal’s investigative series on caucus employees was a former caucus staffer saying our “legislative leaders feel they have little choice but to continue campaigning on the state’s dime—or loose seats in the legislature.” But determining who wins and looses is the responsibility and right of the voters—and that requires fair elections not soiled in this way.
I have worked in Democratic Party campaigns for a long time, but I think my happiest moment came when Sen. Feingold squeaked through a very tight election in 1998—particularly because it was won so honorably; without using soft money. That is why it saddens me to know these voter databases were used extensively for his campaign, and many have given them credit for winning that election.
There was a time when our leaders ran for office because they wanted to serve the people. Now everything in politics is about winning, and those caught up in it seem to have an infinite capacity for rationalization. It seems like everything is done with the next election in mind and that is a disservice.
I urge Gov. McCallum to veto funding for the caucuses in its entirety. It is the right thing to do, and it would be a heroic gesture. And if he fails to do this, I believe it is up to the people once again to take back their government.
- DONALD FISH