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‘north of $1 million’ on statewide advertisements either supporting his candidacy or, more likely, attacking Feingold.” [USA
Today, 8/18/15]
• Club For Growth Received $1 Million From Freedom Partners In 2014. According to its 2014 Forms 990 filing
with the IRS, Freedom Partners provided a cash grant of a million dollars for “general support” to Club for Growth.
[Freedom Partners IRS Form 990, 2014]
Politico: Club For Growth Launched “A $700,000 Ad Buy Against Former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, With
Two Spots” That Aired On “Broadcast And Cable Stations Throughout Wisconsin.” According to Politico, “Club for
Growth will launch a $700,000 ad buy against former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, with two spots that will air on broadcast
and cable stations throughout Wisconsin, highlighting Feingold’s record, which the group calls, ‘too liberal, too Washington,
too yesterday.’ ‘In 2010, Wisconsin voters had enough of Feingold’s support for bailouts, big government, and record debt,’
said David McIntosh, the group’s president. ‘Club for Growth Action is putting up this initial round of television ads just in
case any Wisconsinites need a reminder of why they should not let Russ Feingold and his liberal agenda back in office.’”
[Politico, 9/22/15]
Arizona Republic: The Koch-Linked Judicial Crisis Network Ran Ads “Applauding” Sens. John McCain, Kelly
Ayotte, Chuck Grassley, Ron Johnson, Mitch McConnell, And Pat Toomey For Saying That President Obama
Shouldn’t Pick Justice Antonin Scalia’s Replacement. According to The Arizona Republic, “Despite criticism and charges
of hypocrisy, U.S. Sen. John McCain is standing by his decision to join fellow Senate Republicans in saying that President
Barack Obama should not get to pick the replacement for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. […] Meanwhile, a ‘dark
money’ group linked to right-leaning billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch has begun running a television ad
supporting McCain on the question. The Judicial Crisis Network also is running similar ads applauding Republican U.S. Sens.
Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Pat
Toomey of Pennsylvania.” [Arizona Republic, 2/21/16]
• The Network Launched A Seven Figure Ad Buy Praising GOP Senators, Including Ron Johnson, For
Working To Block A Supreme Court Nominee. According to the Politico, “A conservative judicial activist group
is launching a million-dollar ad campaign to give cover to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his vulnerable
incumbents as they angle to block President Barack Obama from filling a Supreme Court vacancy. The Judicial Crisis
Network is launching a seven-figure ad buy that will land during this weekend’s Sunday shows in Washington, as well
as McConnell’s home state of Kentucky and a half-dozen states where senators up for reelection are backing him.
Democrats believe the issue is a long-term political loser for the GOP and could cost them the Senate. The ads will
praise GOP Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Rob Portman of Ohio, Ron
Johnson of Wisconsin, John McCain of Arizona and Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa. Noticeably
absent from that list is Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, who has not announced plans to preemptively reject a court
nominee.” [Politico, 2/18/16]
…Explaining Why Johnson Was Unwilling To Sign The Anti-Dark Money “Badger Pledge”
Wisconsin Radio Network: Ron Johnson Was Unwilling To Sign The Anti-Dark Money “Badger Pledge.” According
to the Wisconsin Radio Network, “Feingold argues that doesn’t have to be the case though. The Democrat, long known for
his opposition to what he calls ‘dark money ads,’ has urged Johnson to sign a so-called ‘Badger Pledge.’ The agreement would
have both candidates agree to make a donation to a charity of the opponent’s choosing every time an outside group runs an ad
that benefits them. The donation would be equal to 50 percent of what those groups spent. Feingold says ‘that has real teeth.
That actually would prevent these from happening.’ Johnson has so far refused to sign the pledge.” [Wisconsin Radio
Network, 8/5/15]
JOHNSON CONSISTENTLY CARRIED OUT THE KOCH’S POLICY DEMANDS
Ron Johnson Was Awarded An “A” Rating For His Legislative Record By AFP
As Of January 2016, Sen. Johnson Had A Lifetime Score Of 90% From Americans For Prosperity. [AFP Scorecard,
Accessed 1/26/16]