MADISON (WKOW) -- An online petition drive started by a Brookfield woman has led to more than 100,000 names calling for the Democratic National Committee to commit funds to support the candidacy of Tom Barrett in the recall race against Governor Scott Walker.
Petition drive organizer Mary Magnuson told 27 News her effort on the web site MoveOn.org was meant to try to ensure the grass efforts in Wisconsin to recall Walker would receive appropriate party backing.
"Wisconsites have done all of the heavy lifting," Magnuson told 27 News. "It's just a little disturbing when we can't get, which is probably a drop in the bucket for the DNC, a small amount of money."
The Washington Post reported state democratic party officials had a pending request to the DNC for $500,000.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Mike Tate declined to comment on the report, but said national democratic leaders are supportive.
"The DNC has been a fantastic partner with the Barrett campaign and the state party. I am convinced and I know we're going to have the resources we need to compete and make a strong effort here."
DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Shultz has said she will participate in a Wisconsin fundraiser for Barrett. A DNC spokesperson declined to respond to a request for comment from 27 News on the petition drive and the reported money request.
Fundraising and spending by Walker, who until recently could raise unlimited amounts because he was targeted for recall, and outside groups have dwarfed funds raised by Barrett and groups supportive of his candidacy. The general election phase of the recall began earlier this month with Walker's campaign having raised $25 million in the recall race, and Barrett's campaign less than $1 million.
Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Ben Sparks said the Republican National Committee has been involved heavily in the recall race. Sparks said RNC financial support has helped make two million voter contacts.
"You see candidates get outspent and still win," Wisconsin Democracy Campaign executive Mike McCabe said. The watchdog group tracks and analyzes campaign finance data.
"But on average, money is probably the best single predictor of an outcome of an election."
Recent public opinion polling shows Barrett trailing Walker by at least five percentage points, but Tate said statistics released Thursday showing Wisconsin losing over 6,000 jobs in April will help boost Barrett's campaign.
