What They Are Saying: “Unexpectedly Tight” Wisconsin Senate Race Now National Target

Democrats in D.C., Media Wake Up To Oshkosh Manufacturer’s Comeback Against 34-Year Career Politician

After a sustained, weeks-long comeback, Ron has closed the gap with Senator Feingold and turned the Wisconsin Senate race into a toss-up. As a sign of just how tight things are, the top Democrat Super PAC in D.C. is frantically trying to ride to Senator Feingold’s rescue – a hypocritical twist of irony for a 34-year career politician who has called Super PACs “dancing with the devil.”
Ron’s comeback and the state of the race have made headlines in Wisconsin and across the country.

Politico: “Wisconsin’s Senate race is suddenly back in play, as Democrats are pouring money into a race they fear is tightening… The late investment is a bit of a surprise, considering Wisconsin — along with Illinois — had long been considered easy pickups for Senate Democrats. But recent public polls have indicated some tightening in the race, including a Marquette University poll from early October had Johnson down by just two points.”

Roll Call: “A Democratic super PAC is making a surprise major investment in the Wisconsin Senate race in the election’s final days, a sign that a race many Democrats had long considered a sure victory has become unexpectedly tight… The activity in Wisconsin mirrors a larger trend across the map in congressional races this year: Though Democrats are expected to do well on Election Day, they have struggled to close out races they were long expected to win.”

Washington Post: “Clinton’s Wisconsin state director said the ads are aimed to help Democratic candidate Russell Feingold in his Senate race against Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic group with close ties to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), announced Fridaythat it will launch a new ad campaign in Wisconsin early next week… The move is being interpreted nationally as an indication that top Democrats believe Feingold has yet to nail down the increasingly tight contest.”

Washington Examiner: “A last minute influx of cash indicates that the Badger State remains a battle ground. Senate Majority PAC just dropped $2 million on a Wisconsin advertising blitz to help former Sen. Russ Feingold in his bid to unseat Sen. Ron Johnson. Republicans are pointing to that airdropped cash as a sign that the seat is still up for grabs.”

The Hill: “Johnson has long been seen as one of the two most vulnerable Senate Republicans seeking reelection this year. But in recent weeks, polls have tightened in Wisconsin, and some Republicans have begun to hope that Johnson can pull off a surprise win… In a memo to donors, Johnson campaign manager Betsy Ankney said internal surveys show Johnson gaining ground and independents breaking his way.”