MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - A watchdog group said Wisconsinites gave $1.5 million last year to special interest groups for campaign advertising. Those are the so-called “527” groups, named after the section of the federal tax code which applies to them. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign said two-thirds of last year’s contributions went to Democratic groups – and about a third went to Republican groups.
The law allows the 527 groups to spend as much as they want, as long as they don’t coordinate with candidates themselves. Last year’s top 527 recipient was the Greater Wisconsin Political Fund. The liberal group took in $400,000. The Republican Governors Association was next with $186,000.
