Wisconsin Club for Growth

The Wisconsin Club for Growth is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization based in Wisconsin. ^[1] It financially supported Wisconsin governor Scott Walker during the 2012 election that sought to recall him. ^{[2] [3]} It had $8 million in revenue in 2012. ^[3]

Governance

The Wisconsin Club for Growth is directed by Eric O'Keefe and R. J. Johnson, the latter of whom worked on Scott Walker's 2010 and 2012 campaigns. ^{[4] [3] [5]}

Funds disbursed

These are among funds given:

• In 2011, $4.2 million to Citizens for a Strong America treasurer Valerie Johnson (the wife of R. J. Johnson) and director John Connors, ^[6]
• $450,000 to the Austin, Texas–based Alliance for Self-Governance, an inactive tax-exempt operation launched by O’Keefe, ^[3]
• $250,000 to the Washington, D.C.–based voucher group American Federation for Children, ^[3]
• $2.9 million to the political arm of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. ^[3]

Donations received

These are among donations received:

• $1,500,000 from John Menard Jr., ^[7]
• $1,000,000 from Stephen Cohen, ^[8] the founder of SAC Capitol Advisors,
• $700,000 from Gogebic Taconite LLC, ^[8] owned by Chris Cline,
• $250,000 from hedge fund CEO Paul Singer, ^[8]
• $100,000 from manufacturer Maclean-Fogg Co, ^[8]
• $50,000 from Atlanticus Holdings CEO David Hanna's trust, ^[8]
• $50,000 from hedge fund chairman Bruce Kovner,
• $50,000 from natural gas and oil producer Devon Energy,
• $15,000 from Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone,
• $15,000 from Donald Trump, ^[8]
• $50,000 from Richard Colburn, vice-president of Consolidated Electrical Distributors, ^[8]
• $25,000 from Keith Colburn, president of Consolidated Electrical Distributors. ^[8]

See also

• Club for Growth
• 2011 Wisconsin protests
• 2011 Wisconsin Act 10
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
• Dark money
• Money loop

References

1. DeFour, Matthew (October 28, 2014). "Complaint: Wisconsin Club for Growth violated IRS rules". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
2. Healy, Patrick; Davey, Monica (June 8, 2015). "Behind Scott Walker, a Longstanding Conservative Alliance Against Unions". The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
3. Also from Lisa Kaiser (April 2, 2014). "Who Was Wisconsin Club for Growth's $1 Million Donor?". Shepherd Express. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
4. Fisher, Marc (March 25, 2012). "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's recall vote: Big money fuels small-government fight" . The Washington Post . Retrieved May 2, 2023.
5. "Prosecutor in Scott Walker Probe Asks Justices to Recuse". PR Watch. February 13, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
6. "The New John Doe Investigation". November 6, 2013.
7. "Secret $1.5M donation from Wisconsin billionaire Menard uncovered in Scott Walker dark-money probe - Milwaukee - Milwaukee Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. March 25, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
8. Marley, Patrick (August 22, 2014). "Walker wanted funds funneled to Wisconsin Club for Growth". Jsonline.com. Retrieved July 5, 2015.