More details on Ribble’s $130,000 raised

Posted on by

The local paper had an article this past Sunday touting how Reid Ribble has raised more than $130,000 since announcing his candidacy a mere three months ago.

Kaukauna roofing contractor Reid Ribble is about to become a full-time candidate and has more than $100,000 in the bank to back his challenge to Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen.

After announcing his candidacy in July, Ribble raised $130,290 through September, according to the Federal Election Commission. Candidates are required to file campaign finance reports every three months.

Ribble, 53, a Republican and Fox Cities native, took in $116,160 from individuals and $12,500 from political action committees. He also donated $2,030 out of his own pocket. After expenses, he had $101,794 in available cash.

“I’m humbled to have the support from individuals who believe in me and my experience as a business leader and in my vision for our state and nation’s future,” Ribble said in a statement. (Source: Reid Ribble, of Kaukauna, raises more than $130,000 to back challenge to Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen – Green Bay Press-Gazette)

Really Mr. Ribble?  If one takes a closer look there could be questions about that support.  A look at Mr. Ribble’s campaign finance report reveals some interesting information. (The report can be viewed here.)

Let’s look at the itemized individual contributions (which totalled $113, 415).  Not taking into account multiple donations Mr. Ribble had 107 individual contributions, 29 of which were in amounts of $2000 or greater.  So  approximately 1/4 of Mr. Ribble’s contributors accounted for 60% of the money raised via individuals.  That could make one wonder if Mr. Ribble has the support of the “little guy”.

Of more importance though, may be where the support is coming from.  What Mr. Ribble (or the article) doesn’t mention is that virtually all the support comes from individuals outside the 8th district.  In fact 85% of the support comes from outside the state.  A breakdown of those 107 contributions (again not taking into account multiple donations) shows that 91 came from outside the state and 8 came from outside the district.  In other words ONLY 8 of Mr. Ribble’s campaign contributions came from within the 8th district, totaling a mere $9101.  So does Mr. Ribble really have the support of 8th district residents?

So who would Mr.Ribble be beholden to if elected?  Would it be the residents of the 8th district or big campaign contributors from outside the district and state?  Or would it be PACs such asthe National Roofers Contractors Association RoofPac who’s already contributed $10,000 to Mr. Ribble’s campaign?

Fair questions to ask even though it’s only Mr. Ribble’s first campaign finance report.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

6 thoughts on “More details on Ribble’s $130,000 raised”

  1. Reid Ribble until a few months ago listed his official residence as Sherwood….a beautiful municipality on the shores of Lake Winnebago snuggled nicely in the 6th Congressional District….too bad he is running for the 8th. He still has a primary residance in Sherwood he is trying to sell. Don’t know for sure what address is is using as a residance in the 8th. Maybe someone out there knows more.

    This smells like another case of outsiders trying to preselect the GOP candidate in the 8th. Is Ribble Gard Light?

  2. An interesting question to be sure. Interesting that he can file as a candidate without having moved into the district, unless the business address in Kaukauna can be used until he actually moves.

  3. Basically, in Wisconsin, you can have a P.O. Box in the district and you can run. I know he is trying to sell him home in Sherwood, but the asking price is about $600,000. He could easily afford to get a small apartment until the sale, but I would doubt he would actually live there.

    What would make someone who has spent a majority of his life in one district, want to move to another? Who recruited him? Who is providing his money?

    I took your suggestion and looked at not only who gave him money, but who he gave his to in the last election. During the 2008 election cycle he gave Gard $500.00 and then thousands to PAC such as the Roofers PAC.

    In full disclosure, I also live in the 6th, but less than a mile from the Winnebago and Outagamie County border. I would like to see my former State Rep Terri McCormick get in the race because I think she is a no nonsense, non power hungry type that the GOP needs in office. But I don’t think she will cause so many games have been played in the past. I just want to see the people of the 8th select their candidate, not outside money and influence picking it for them.

  4. An off subject question. Are you related to Lee Van Lanen who served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard for years?

  5. Pingback: McCormick makes it official « Try 2 Focus

  6. Pingback: Savard pledge gets praise « Try 2 Focus

Comments are closed.