Wisconsin court ruling may reshape state political landscape
Jul 17, 2015, 12:06 PM
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Political observers say a court decision ending an investigation into the activities of Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s recall campaign could transform Wisconsin elections. They say it likely enables closer ties between candidates and organizations that support them and could lead to more targeted advertising and even favorable legislation for the groups.
The ruling in the case involving Walker, now a presidential candidate, says state law doesn’t regulate coordination between campaigns and outside groups on so-called issue advocacy. That opens the door to unlimited spending by groups on advertising that campaigns can direct and the state can’t track.
Jay Heck of Common Cause in Wisconsin says more donations will flow to outside groups, which will talk with candidates about spending it. He says that will lead to legislation favoring the groups.
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